Congress Leader Seeks Strict Action Over West Bengal Assault on Christian Families

Congress general secretary and Public Accounts Committee chairman K.C. Venugopal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to demand firm action over an alleged attack on Christian families in Paschim Medinipur.

What Happened

The incident took place in Patlapur village during the Durga Puja festivities, spanning three consecutive days from October 18 to 20. According to the First Information Report, persons linked to the Bajrang Dal entered the homes of three Christian families and demanded they renounce their faith. When the families refused, they faced severe assaults. One woman lost consciousness after a heavy blow to the head, women were reportedly stripped of their clothing, and a 15-year-old girl faced threats of abduction and rape alongside strangulation.

Official Response

Mr. Venugopal stated that the initial police complaint filed on the first day brought no effective action. An advocate later intervened, leading to an FIR naming 13 persons on October 20. He stressed that forcing any person to perform rituals of another faith through violence is an attack on the Constitution and Article 25, which guarantees freedom of religion. He urged both leaders to immediately arrest all accused persons under the strongest provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Context

India's Constitution guarantees the freedom to practice and propagate any religion under its fundamental rights. Incidents involving religious coercion and targeted minority violence often draw sharp political debate regarding law enforcement and state security across various parts of the country.