Matters India Reporter
Barasat, 13 July 2026: A tense confrontation erupted, July 12 at the residence of the Auxilium Sisters (FMA) in Barasat, a town in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, when a mob of some 60 people, reportedly mobilized by the Hindu Jagarana Manch, demanded the demolition of the congregation’s nearly completed cemetery and memorial chapel.
The nuns, who had begun construction with due permission from the municipality, now face intimidation and threats as the project nears completion.
“We have started the construction of a memorial chapel (cemetery) at Barasat with due permission from the municipality. It is almost at the finishing stage, and now a big mob came to the Sisters’ residence asking to demolish the construction, using all kinds of abusive language and threatening the Sisters,” said FMA Provincial Sister Leelama.
According to witnesses, protesters shouted: “Your government is no more, now it is our government,” underscoring the political undertone of the confrontation. The remark reflects the emboldened stance of Hindutva groups since the BJP’s victory in West Bengal in May 2026, which has coincided with a surge of hostility toward Christian institutions across the state.
Since May, attacks against Christians have sharply increased.
In Murshidabad, mobs vandalized Christian homes near Muktidham Church;
in Purba Bardhaman, Grace Church was stormed during Sunday service;
in Sonarpur, worshippers were forced to disperse under threat;
and in South Dinajpur, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church outside Balurghat was targeted with threats.
Alongside these direct assaults, cemetery projects such as the Auxilium Sisters’ Barasat memorial chapel have become flashpoints, with Hindutva groups demanding demolition despite municipal approval.
Local Christian leaders condemned the intimidation, warning that the incident is part of a wider pattern of harassment. “This is not just about land or construction. It is about sending a message that Christian institutions are no longer welcome,” said a senior lay leader from Kolkata.
The All India Catholic Union also condemned what it called a “brazen mob attack” against the Auxilium Salesian Sisters in Barasat.
The union said the incident reflects a growing pattern of harassment against Christian institutions and urged the state government to provide security, protect the chapel, and prosecute those responsible. It pledged solidarity with the Sisters and warned that silence would embolden further attacks.
(This news article has been updated to include the AICU reaction)
(Photo supplied)
The report doesn’t state whether any police diary or FIR has been registered with the local police station. The Salesian Sisters must be aware of lawful steps to be taken. The Salesian Provincial House, Kolkata can proactively help in taking up the pressing matter with the government which has repeatedly given the assurance of “Bhoy Out, Bhorsha In” (meaning “Fear Out, Trust In”).
These are very disturbing news, irrespective of whether it’s backed by the powers-that-be or not. It’s a pure law and order problem and the government cannot wash its hands off by blaming this on “disgruntled fringe elements.” How can hoodlums barge into the convent and demand demolition of a Municipality-sanctioned and fully legal project? Have the perpetrators from the reported Hindu Jagarana Manch read the messages of Swami Vivekanda and his mentor Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa Deb? The West Bengal government must take suo moto action against the perpetrators.