Christian delegation raises church attacks with RSS in Kolkata; both sides seek probe
A delegation of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), an interfaith forum representing Christians, met a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary in West Bengal on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) and raised the issue of recent mob attacks on congregations and churches in the State.
The delegation, led by BCP State secretary Herod Mullick, met Jishnu Saha, the Sangh's South Bengal prachar pramukh, and sought his intervention to end the ongoing hostilities, the organisation said in a press statement.
According to the statement, the delegation highlighted "serious concerns regarding the recent wave of attacks, vandalism, and inhumane persecution targeting mainline churches, house churches, pastors, and believers across several districts of West Bengal over the past four to five months, often fuelled by false allegations of forced conversions through inducement".
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Saha said dialogue with representatives of Christian organisations would continue, but added that there were genuine concerns about forced conversions. He said there should be an investigation into the attacks as well as into the allegations of forced conversion.
The BCP delegation said the Church strictly opposes any unlawful conversion practice and baptises only those who join willingly, of their own free faith. Mr. Mullick said that incidents of violence and allegations of any attempt at forced conversion should both be investigated.
The BCP said that in most cases, members of the mobs that attacked congregations and churches had identified themselves as members of Hindutva organisations.
Christian organisations say attacks on churches and Christian gatherings have increased in recent years. Citing the U.S.-based research project India Hate Lab, they said at least 60 incidents of hate crimes and targeted attacks against Christians had been documented in West Bengal across 13 districts between May 13 and September 20 this year.
The delegation also raised concerns that the State administration had been unresponsive to the attacks.
The concerns raised at the meeting touch on two separate questions that Indian law treats differently. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees every person the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, while several States have laws penalising conversion brought about by force, fraud or allurement. Both the BCP's statement and Mr. Saha's remarks call for investigations, which are the proper route for establishing the facts of individual incidents.
Earlier this week, a public hearing of survivors of the mob attacks was held in Kolkata, where people from several districts shared their experience of the attacks and of what they described as police inaction.
On Thursday (November 5, 2026), Christian organisations will hold a gathering in Kolkata in which people from different districts are expected to participate. Three prayer processions will start simultaneously at 12 noon from Howrah, Sealdah and the Birla Planetarium, and converge at R. R. Avenue for universal prayers.
