Christian representatives meet West Bengal RSS leader over mob attacks on congregations and churches

A view of a Church in Kolkata. Image used for representation purpose only.

A delegation of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), an interfaith forum representing Christians, on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) met senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader of West Bengal Jishnu Saha and raised the issue of recent mob attacks on congregations and churches.

The delegation led by the organisation, state secretary Herod Mullick sought Mr. Basu’s intervention to put an end to the ongoing hostilities.

“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 4–5 months, often fuelled by false allegations of forced conversions through inducement,” a press statement by the BCP said.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Basu, the Saha Khetra Prachar Pramukh of South Bengal, said that dialogue will continue with the representatives of Christian organisations but there are genuine concerns about forced conversions. The RSS leader said that there should be investigation into the attacks and allegations of forced conversion.

The BCP delegation also clarified that the Church strictly opposes any unlawful conversion practices, accepting and baptizing only those individuals who join willingly of their own free faith. Mr. Mullick also added that there should be investigation into incidents of violence and allegations of any attempts of forced conversions. In most cases the members of the mob who attacked the congregations and church have identified themselves as members of hindutva organisations.

There has been an increase in attacks on churches and Christian gatherings after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power. According to Christian organisations, U.S.-based research project, India Hate Lab, has documented at least 60 incidents of hate crimes and targeted attacks against Christians in West Bengal across 13 districts between May 13 and September 20 this year.

The BCP representatives raised concerns about State administration being unresponsive to the attacks and clarified that the Church strictly opposes any unlawful conversion practices, accepting and baptizing only those individuals who join willingly of their own free faith.

Earlier this week a public hearing of survivors of the mob attacks was held in Kolkata where people from several districts participated and shared their experience relating to attacks and police inaction.

On Thursday (November 5, 2026) Christian organisations will hold a gathering in Kolkata, where people from different districts will participate. Three prayer processions will simultaneously start at 12.00 noon from Howrah, Sealdah and from Birla planetarium and converge at R. R. Avenue for universal prayers.