Trigger Warning: Images of physical injury

A group of around 40 men allegedly ambushed a house church in Rayan village in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district on November 1, and physically assaulted the pastor and several Christian worshippers during a Sunday prayer service. The attackers accused the congregation of converting Hindus by luring them with incentives, and also accused them of running a ‘honey trap’.

Survivors told Alt News that they were forced to chant ‘Jai Sri Ram’, and were told, “This is a Hindu area; worshipping Jesus will not be tolerated”.

Several worshippers sustained severe injuries after the attack. Survivors said they were left traumatised without administrative protection or assurance. A written complaint was submitted at Burdwan police station. However, the survivors alleged that they were forced into withdrawing the complaint as attackers entered the police station and threatened to kill the complainant.

Alt News spoke to pastor Chottu Ruidas, who was leading the Sunday prayer service, and other survivors of the attack. Recounting the incident, Ruidas said the congregation had assembled at Sushanta Majila’s house around 10 am, and the service was nearing its conclusion, with the worshippers participating in communion, when a group of approximately 40 men descended on the house church, raising ‘Jai Sri Ram’ slogans.

According to Ruidas, Bisweshwar Choudhury, an influential and wealthy resident of the village who is known for helping people in need, was part of the group. He approached Ruidas during the prayer service and allegedly slapped him. 

“Thereafter, the goons accompanying Choudhury started beating us mercilessly,” Ruidas told Alt News. “They slapped us, kicked us and beat us with the bamboo sticks they were carrying. They even took off their belts and whipped us.”

Ruidas said a 17-year-old boy sustained a severe head injury, leaving him bleeding profusely. “The goons told him, ‘We have treated you. Now go to a doctor and get it fixed,” he recounted.

The attackers allegedly dragged worshippers out of the house and beaten up. Those who attempted to seek refuge in neighbouring homes were pursued and assaulted, Ruidas said.

“After the goons beat us, the other attendees locked me inside a kitchen to keep me safe. But they broke open the door and dragged me out. My elder sister hugged me and fell to the ground while trying to protect me. But they continued kicking us. My sister eventually fell unconscious, and I had to take her to a nearby dispensary,” he said.

Ruidas told Alt News that he had attempted to contact police while hiding inside the kitchen but could not get through. He subsequently informed Pastor Jose Bernard, who then contacted the cops.

Bernard told Alt News that he called the Burdwan police station two to three times, but the police allegedly did not take the matter seriously. He eventually dialled the emergency helpline, 112, following which police personnel reached the village.

Bernard said his wife and minor daughter were also among the worshippers present at the congregation. By the time police reached the location, several miscreants had fled the scene. He claimed that when police entered the premises, the remaining miscreants accused the worshippers of having picked a fight with them.

Then, according to the pastor, instead of taking action against the attackers, police detained 20 women, three minors, and eight men from the Christian congregation. 

Bernard categorically denied allegations of forceful conversion or conversion through inducement.

Worshippers Detained, Threatened by Accused inside Police Station

The detainees were first taken to Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital, where a doctor examined them inside the vehicle. Then, they were taken to the police station and kept in two separate rooms.

Pastor Jose Bernard subsequently submitted a written complaint at the police station. However, shortly afterwards, a group of alleged attackers entered the police station, grabbed him by the collar and threatened him with dire consequences unless he withdrew the complaint. He alleged that this happened in the presence of police personnel.

“They entered the police station, grabbed me by the collar, physically intimidated me and threatened to kill me if I did not withdraw my complaint. And all of this happened in front of the police,” Bernard told Alt News.

According to Bernard, police merely told the men, “There are CCTV cameras here; leave the premises’. That’s all.”   

Bernard said that the threats and intimidation eventually compelled him to withdraw the complaint. He told Alt News that he had pleaded with the miscreants and police to at least ensure that Christians in Rayan village would not be subjected to further harassment. “This is our government. A Hindu government. A Hindu country. Worshipping Jesus is not allowed. They have to bathe in the Ganga, and we will perform ‘ghar wapsi’,” Bernard recalled them saying.

Bernard further alleged that the inspector in-charge, Debabrata Mukherjee, questioned the congregation about why they had assembled to pray in the first place. When the attendees and Bernard attempted to reason, Mukherjee allegedly asked why they were taking such risks when people were being assaulted for doing so in several places.

Eventually, the women were released from the police station around 11 pm, while the men were released around 1 am.

Speaking to Alt News, Burdwan IC Debabrata Mukherjee denied the allegation that the attackers entered the police station and threatened Pastor Jose Bernard to withdraw the complaint.

He said, “They submitted a complaint and, after some time, retracted it. No one threatened them inside the police station,” adding that “Counter-complaints have been filed against them by locals.”

Asked why the injured were detained at police station for long hours, Mukherjee claimed their families hadn’t turned up to take them home.

The officer refused to answer further questions over phone.

Elderly Woman Assaulted at Home

Another attendee, Sagari Konai, managed to escape the initial attack and returned to her home. However, a group of men allegedly went to her residence and assaulted her. She sustained a fracture in her finger due to the assault, the pastors added.

Ruidas alleged that the men forced Konai to perform sit-ups while holding her ears and apologise for practising Christianity. She was also allegedly coerced into participating in Hindu rituals at a nearby temple.

Konai is an elderly widow who lives with her daughter. 

The attack has left the survivors deeply shaken. Ruidas said that he was still in pain from the injuries he sustained and that he was afraid to return to his home in Rayan village. He is currently staying with Bernerd.

Bernerd, meanwhile, said the incident had a profound impact on his young daughter, who witnessed the violence firsthand.

“She has never been exposed to such brutal hatred unfolding before her eyes. I wonder whether these people are animals,” he said.