KOLKATA, India: A church under construction in India’s eastern state of West Bengal was vandalised by a group of people over the weekend, prompting church leaders and rights groups to demand an investigation amid a growing pattern of attacks targeting Christian communities in the state.
According to local media reports, citing church representatives, the incident occurred on July 5 in Subhashgram in South 24 Parganas district, where a mob attacked the church under construction, damaged parts of the building and destroyed crosses installed at the site.
Videos circulating on social media show a group damaging the structure. According to local residents and church leaders, those involved raised slogans including “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hindu Hindu Bhai Bhai” during the attack.
In Baraipur, West Bengal
Hindtuva scums vandalised church and desecrated the cross shouting Jai Shri Ram slogan
While People remain mute spectators, watching the goons desecrate the church.
This is law & Order in Bengal under BJP pic.twitter.com/HlQpOyxHkl
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) July 7, 2026
Christian community leaders urged police to conduct an impartial investigation, identify those responsible and take legal action.
Bengal Has Never Witnessed Such An Incident Before
Sanghis are Demolishing a Newly Built Church in Subhashgram, #Baruipur . The Cross on top of the Church can be clearly seen being broken.
Along with “Jai Shri Ram” Slogans.
It is now gradually becoming clear that a Double… pic.twitter.com/waFgVFYBJK
— তন্ময় l T͞anmoy l (@tanmoyofc) July 7, 2026
Church leaders raise concerns
The vandalism has renewed concerns among church leaders and rights groups over the safety of Christians in West Bengal.
According to church representatives, the attack formed part of a series of incidents reported across different districts of the state on the same day.
They urged the state government to ensure the protection of places of worship, uphold the constitutional right to freedom of religion and bring those responsible to justice.
Local residents described the Subhashgram incident as an attack on both their place of worship and their religious identity.
A cross is being removed from the roof of a place of worship while a crowd gathered below chants, “Jai Shri Ram.”
The current law-and-order situation and social climate in West Bengal are causing anger and concern among many people.#WestBengal #WorldTibetDay#MetaShot pic.twitter.com/1DWDqdgJ5J
— Baat Kadvi Hai (@PoliticalGyie) July 6, 2026
Violence against Christians
Meanwhile, in Murshidabad district, a Christian widow, identified as Barnali Chatterjee, was attacked after refusing to renounce her faith.
According to local reports, a group entered her home, damaged household property and pressured her to surrender her land for the construction of a Hindu temple.
In Bankura district, Pastor Rajib Das said that activists interrupted a prayer meeting, confiscated Bibles and briefly detained worshippers, including women and children, before releasing them without filing any charges.
Another incident was reported at a Mizo Synod church in Suvas Gram, Sonarpur, where church leaders said that vandals smashed windows, desecrated the altar, damaged musical instruments and left threatening graffiti warning Christians against holding future prayer services.
In Purba Bardhaman district, Pastor Surajit Ghosh said Grace Church in Faridpur was attacked during Sunday worship.
He alleged that a mob entered the church, vandalised the premises and assaulted members of the congregation. He also claimed false allegations had been circulated to incite hostility against the church.
Christian Council demands justice
The Bangiya Chrisiyo Parisheba (Bengal Christian Council), an umbrella body representing Christian denominations in eastern and north-eastern India, said it would provide legal assistance to the affected churches.
The organisation appealed to the West Bengal government to ensure justice for the victims, strengthen protection for minority communities and safeguard the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Church leaders also called for impartial investigations into the reported incidents and strict action against those responsible.
International concerns over religious freedom
The reported incidents come amid continuing international scrutiny of religious freedom in India.
In May 2026, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) again recommended that the US State Department designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern”, citing ongoing, systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom.
During a hearing in Washington, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler said conditions had continued to deteriorate.
“Our 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF once again recommended that the State Department designate India as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for its ongoing, systematic and egregious religious freedom conditions,” she said.
Hartzler alleged that authorities at the national, state and local levels continued to facilitate or tolerate violations through discriminatory legislation, arbitrary detention of religious leaders and failures to prevent attacks on minority communities.
She also highlighted anti-conversion laws in several Indian states, saying 13 of India’s 28 states now enforce legislation imposing severe penalties, including life imprisonment in some cases, for conversions from Hinduism to other religions.
US Representative Chris Smith criticised India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), warning that proposed amendments could expand government control over non-governmental organisations and religious institutions.
United Nations experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, have also expressed concerns over the state of religious freedom in India, citing reports of violence and discriminatory policies affecting religious minorities.
