An armed mob of about 200 religious fanatics assaulted a major annual indigenous gathering of Santhali Christians on Oct. 9 in the Indian state of West Bengal, highlighting the escalation of hostilities and vulnerability of the religious minorities in the region. 

The Annual Santhali Mega Bible Convention Retreat, which attracts more than 2,000 Christians belonging to the Santhali people group and is organized at the Divine Love Retreat Centre in Jalalkhali, Nadia district of West Bengal, was attacked by fanatics armed with bamboo sticks and bricks. 

The Santhali are an indigenous people concentrated in eastern India, particularly in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar. Members follow various religious traditions, including Christianity. Media reports said the convention brought together Santhali-speaking Christians and others interested in the faith. 

The mob, which arrived in vehicles and armed with bricks and bamboo sticks, attempted to force its way onto the church grounds, hurling stones, shouting anti-Christian slogans, and vandalizing church property.

The attack, which reportedly injured several believers, forced the early conclusion of the four-day convention. 

Domestic Outcry 

The attack on the Santhali convention has drawn sharp condemnation from major religious bodies. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) issued a formal statement denouncing the violence as a direct violation of India’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion. 

The CBCI has appealed to the federal Home Minister Amit Shah and the West Bengal state government for immediate intervention, independent investigations, and heightened security for religious minorities. 

The BJP is in power at both the federal and state levels. 

Concurrently, the regional forum Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), or the Bengal Christian Council, has begun deploying legal aid to affected communities. 

The BCP represents Christians of various denominations in West Bengal. The council expressed grave concern over growing police inaction, warning that localized disruptions are being allowed to expand unchecked. 

“We strongly condemn this attack,” said Herod Mullick, BCP’s founding state secretary. 

Growing Hostilities 

The attack in Nadia is not an isolated incident. Observers note a severe surge in anti-Christian hostilities across the state of West Bengal following the state assembly elections in May 2026, in which the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power. 

Data compiled by the independent watchdog “India Hate Lab” documented at least 60 targeted hate crimes against Christians during five months between May and September 2026 alone.  

The findings reveal a systematic pattern of intimidation: 

• More than 50 incidents involved targeted raids on churches, private prayer meetings, and Christian households. 

• Eight incidents escalated into direct physical assault and organized mob violence. 

• The violence has heavily concentrated in the South 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur districts. 

• Reports highlight that Christian women are frequently heckled by mobs for wearing traditional Bengali marital symbols, such as Shakha Pola bangles, while being baselessly accused of conversion. 

Consequently, civil-society representatives and human-rights advocates are calling for transparent police investigations, robust accountability for perpetrators, and impartial administrative measures to safeguard religious freedom for all citizens. 

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