Christian families in West Bengal given police protection after alleged attacks to renounce religion

Days after the West Bengal Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) on allegations of attack on Christian families in Paschim Medinipur district, the victims were on Saturday (October 24, 2026) provided protection and police personnel were stationed outside their houses.

An FIR was registered at the Chandrakona police station on October 20 on the complaint of a woman who alleged that three families, including hers with minors, were attacked and allegedly threatened with rape and death to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. Thirteen persons have been named in the FIR and according to the complainant, they are associated with the Bajrang Dal.

Herod Mullick, founder of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), an interfaith forum representing Christians in West Bengal, told The Hindu on Saturday (October 24, 2026) that the families have been given police protection but no arrests have been made so far.

The woman said in her complaint that the attacks against the families began on October 18 and continued until October 20. The complainant stated that the accused entered her house and pressured her family to renounce Christianity and return to Hinduism. “They then forcibly bathed me in front of everyone as part of a so-called purification ritual. My clothes were removed without my consent and I was forced to participate in this ritual against my will,” the woman wrote in the police complaint. The woman also alleged that the accused forced them to visit a nearby Durga Puja pandal in Dingal village and they were forced to perform Hindu rituals against their will. She said her 16-year-old daughter was subjected to verbal abuse and threats of rape.

The FIR was registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges of insulting the modesty of a woman and attempt to murder. The complainant urged the police to ensure the safety of the attacked families and relocate them to a safer place.

Mr Mullick said families in Chandrakona were attacked for their faith. “There have been 45 such incidents of attacks on Christians in the last few months and we have been able to register FIRs in a dozen cases,” he said, adding that the BCP investigation team would meet the families soon.

Earlier this month, Mamata’s All India Trinamool Congress investigation team led by Rajya MP Sagarika Ghose visited various parts of West Bengal to verify reports of threats, attacks and restrictions against Christians. Ms Ghose pointed out that members of the Christian community were attacked if they did not “revert” to Hinduism, while churches were vandalized by mobs.

Published – 24 October 2026 22:50 IST