Bengal: Christian groups stop house prayers after attacks, government points to ‘forced conversions’

Recent attacks on Christian house prayer meetings in West Bengal have led groups to halt their gatherings, while the government attributes the incidents to "forced conversions." In Uluberia, a mob disrupted a Sunday prayer session, assaulting the pastor and congregation, and damaging property. The pastor, Mithun Hazra, recounted the violent incident, which resulted in the police assisting the victims and filing an FIR.

Since then, the pastor has ceased holding house prayers in the area. Superintendent of Police Amit Verma confirmed the case, but no arrests have been made.

Similar incidents occurred in Purba Bardhaman, where a burial was disrupted, and mourners were reportedly assaulted. The Parish Priest-In-Charge, Father Samuel Hembrom, lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, but no action was taken. On August 25, a prayer meeting in Ghusuri, Howrah, was also attacked, with the pastor and his wife beaten and taken to the police station. They were accused of forcibly converting people, and their complaint was not filed.

Herod Mullick, founder of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, claimed that these attacks were not isolated and the community is providing legal support to victims. Mullick and other community leaders have vowed to continue their religious practices despite the threats. Meanwhile, the state government's response has been met with criticism from various political parties, with accusations of a "politics of fear" and an attempt to target Muslims.