There have been several attacks on Christian families and prayer congregations in West Bengal over the last few months. Saturday, however, saw the first attack on priests and devotees of the Church of North India (CNI) in Basanti in South 24 Parganas district.
At around 10:30 a.m., a violent mob of 30-35 people allegedly barged into the newly built Narayantala William Keri church under the Church of North India (CNI) during its inauguration ceremony. The programme was attended by a total of 120 people, including Bishop Subrata Chakraborty of the CNI, several accompanying priests and devotees from various churches. The land for the church was bought with the required permission from state authorities, including the local Panchayat.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers beat priests, devotees and attendees indiscriminately.
“We had a procession and entered the church. A while into the programme inside the church, a mob of 30-35 people, some who were drunk too, entered the church chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’. They enquired whether there were any Hindus, to which we said no,” an eyewitness, Prodip Mondol, said.
The mob then reiterated that “Hindus should leave” and allegedly asked why women were wearing sindoor and the traditional Bengali Sankha and Palla bangles, and ordered them to remove them. The women were reportedly assaulted and forced outside the church.
Eyewitnesses also say the clergy were targeted, and priests were beaten up. There were about 15 priests present at the church. “Those attempting to record the attack on their mobile phones saw their phones being snatched away and destroyed,” Mondol said.
The mob reportedly told devotees and the priests in the church that no songs, prayers, or religious ceremonies would be allowed within the premises. The entire ordeal continued for about 25 minutes. The church remains closed for safety.
Pastor Subhashish Gayen, Founder State Secretary and Herod Mullick, Working President of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), collected accounts from eyewitnesses before approaching the police, who arrived on the scene one and a half hours later. A complaint has also been filed by BCP at the Basanti police station.
“We want the accused to be arrested,” Mondol said. So far, there have been no arrests made in the case. There was some video evidence that church authorities managed to safeguard, which was submitted to the police.
"This is an unprecedented incident where miscreants have beaten up multiple priests who were conducting an inauguration ceremony alongside the Bishop,” Mullick said, alleging that in recent times organised extremist groups take the law into their own hands to target peaceful minorities.
“Having faced no meaningful deterrence from the administration or the government, these attackers have grown reckless enough to torture priests of an established church without hesitation.
"The church and the assaulted clergy belong to the Church of North India (CNI). They are not helpless or weak like isolated house churches,” Mullick added.
The church authorities, including the Bishop who was present during the attack, will be taking decisive legal and institutional action against the perpetrators. The legal cell of BCP is assisting in the case.
