NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) — The Catholic Association of Archdiocese of Delhi (CAAD) has strongly condemned what it called an “alarming escalation of targeted violence, intimidation, and forced religious conversions” against Christians in West Bengal, urging authorities to restore security and prosecute those responsible.
In a press statement, CAAD said “Christian families and peaceful prayer gatherings have been systematically targeted by fringe elements, subjected to physical assault, and forcefully pressured to abandon their faith.”
The organisation said the Christian community in India “has historically lived in absolute peace, harmony, and mutual respect with fellow citizens of all faiths” and warned that targeting a peaceful minority community “serves only to foster animosity, division, and hatred within society.”
CAAD, a registered body that represents the Catholic lay faithful within the Archdiocese of Delhi, highlighted several recent incidents in West Bengal that it described as deeply disturbing.
On Oct. 26, it said “a violent mob of approximately 30 individuals” entered the home of Parvati Hembram Soren in West Arjunda village in Purba Medinipur district.
According to the statement, family members were assaulted, Bibles were desecrated and the victims were “forcefully demanded to renounce Christianity.” An FIR or formal police complaint was registered at the Panskura police station on Oct. 28.
Prayer gathering disrupted
The statement also referred to an Oct. 9 attack on a Catholic prayer convention at the Divine Love Retreat Center in Jalal Khali, Nadia district.
CAAD said the gathering “was violently disrupted,” resulting in “extensive damage of church property, the shattering of grotto glass panels, and physical injuries to six parishioners.”
It further cited events in mid-October involving three Christian families in Patlapur village in Paschim Medinipur district.
According to the statement, the families were subjected to “a horrific three-day ordeal of assault, intimidation, sexual harassment, and forced participation in rituals at a Durga Puja pandal.” CAAD said the seriousness of the situation led police to deploy “a protective picket outside their homes on October 24.”
Pattern of targeted incidents
CAAD also pointed to information compiled by India Hate Lab, which it said documented “a terrifying pattern of at least 60 targeted hate-crime incidents against Christians across 13 districts in West Bengal.”
The statement said the incidents included “52 separate raids on private prayer meetings, homes, and churches,” as well as “8 distinct incidents involving severe physical assault or mob violence.”
Describing the situation as grave, CAAD said it was “deeply shaken by the systematic breakdown of law and order and the terror being inflicted upon innocent Christians in West Bengal.” It added, “CAAD strongly condemns these heinous acts.”
Call for urgent intervention
The association urged immediate action by authorities.
“We urgently appeal to the State Government to intervene immediately, enforce the law of the land strictly, and ensure that the perpetrators of this violence are arrested and prosecuted without delay,” the statement said.
It further stressed: “The government must immediately restore a sense of security and send a clear reassurance to Christians living in deep fear that they are protected by the law, and that those who instigate violence will not be spared.”
CAAD also called for support for Christians who have fled their homes, saying they should be “fully supported, encouraged, and protected to return to their homes to live in peace and dignity.”
The association urged state authorities and civil society “to stand against these divisive forces and uphold the constitutional right to freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence.” The statement was issued by Ephraem A. Jacob, president of the Catholic Association of Archdiocese of Delhi.
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