Choosing faith over fear
West Bengal has witnessed a sudden, rapid spike in attacks on Christian home fellowships and churches since the summer of 2026, when the BJP government came to power in the State. Senjuti Sengupta and Shiv Sahay Singh report on the fear of the community that is less than 1% of the population in West Bengal
A 65-year-old woman, Purnima (name changed to protect privacy), had eagerly awaited the inauguration of a new church on October 31, 2026. The William Cary Memorial Church, located in Narayantala village of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, had been constructed after her family donated a significant amount of land. The freshly painted white building stood ready to welcome devotees.
However, Purnima now shudders at the memory of the attack that occurred during the inaugural ceremony. "The gate of the church was opened for the first and the last time on October 31," she recalls. "During the ceremony, a group entered the premises and attacked the priests and others who were participating." Purnima herself was hit with a stick and had to be hospitalized for a day.
Since the attack, the church has remained closed. Nevertheless, Purnima often goes to its door to peer through a broken window at the picture of Jesus Christ on display.
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