By Matters India Reporter
Kolkata, October 25, 2026: A senior opposition Congress leader has urged federal Home Minister Amit Shah to order stringent action against those accused of attacking three Christian families in a village in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district and allegedly forcing them to undergo a public “purification” ritual.
In a letter addressed to the Home Minister, K.C. Venugopal, general secretary of the All India Congress Committee, the central decision-making assembly of the Indian National Congress, described the incidents in Patlapur village under Chandrakona police station as a grave violation of the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
“This trend cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” he wrote, recalling that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to profess and practice their faith. He called for the immediate arrest of the accused and strict action under the law against those spreading hatred and targeting religious minorities.
According to the complaint cited in the letter, the attacks took place between October 18 and 20 during Durga Puja celebrations. The victims alleged that a group associated with Hindu nationalist Bajrang Dal group entered their homes and pressured them to renounce Christianity.
When they resisted, they were allegedly assaulted. One woman reportedly lost consciousness after being struck on the head, while family members were threatened with violence, abduction and sexual assault.
The letter further alleged that on October 19 the families were forcibly taken to a nearby Durga Puja venue, where they were made to participate in a public “shuddhikaran” or purification ceremony. The victims reportedly received threats of severe consequences, including being burnt alive, if they approached the police.
Expressing concern over the initial police response, Venugopal noted that although the matter was reported immediately, an official police complaint was registered only later, allegedly following legal intervention. The complaint names 13 accused and includes charges of attempted murder, criminal trespass, assault on women and criminal intimidation.
Venugopal also argued that the episode was not an isolated incident. Citing civil society documentation, he claimed that at least 60 attacks on Christians were recorded across 13 districts of West Bengal between May and September this year.
“The constitutional promise of religious freedom must be protected,” he said while urging the Centre to ensure justice for the affected families.
Copies of the letter were also sent to West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari.