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CPI(M) Alleges Bishop, Wife Assaulted Over Conversion Charges
The CPI(M) says a bishop and his wife were attacked during a church prayer service.
The incident was reportedly in Arambagh, West Bengal.
The party says people accused them of forcing others to change religions.
It says the couple were pulled outside and assaulted.
CPI(M) leader M A Baby spoke with the bishop and condemned the alleged attack.
He also said police had not taken action.
The police and the people accused of the attack had not publicly responded in the report.
The allegations have raised concerns about safety for Christian and other minority communities.
The CPI(M) alleged that Bishop Anil Kumar Bhowmik and his wife were assaulted during a Sunday prayer service in Arambagh, Hooghly district.
The party said they were accused of conducting forced religious conversions and were allegedly pulled out of the gathering.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby condemned the alleged attack and said local police had failed to act.
The allegations prompted concern among Christian groups and renewed debate about minority religious-site security.
There was no independent confirmation or immediate response from police or the accused persons.
- Who
- Bishop Anil Kumar Bhowmik and his wife were allegedly assaulted; the CPI(M) made the allegations, and M A Baby condemned them.
- What
- An alleged assault during a prayer service following accusations of forced religious conversion.
- Where
- Arambagh in West Bengal’s Hooghly district.
- When
- Recently, on a Sunday, according to the report.
- Why
- The alleged attackers reportedly accused the bishop and his wife of carrying out forced religious conversions.
CPI(M) and Minority-Safety Concerns
Unconfirmed Allegations and No Official Response
What happened at the prayer service
CPI(M) and Minority-Safety Concerns
The CPI(M) said the bishop and his wife were pulled out of Sunday prayers and assaulted by people associated with religious organisations.
Unconfirmed Allegations and No Official Response
The report contained no immediate response from the accused persons and no independent confirmation of the alleged assault.
Reason for the alleged attack
CPI(M) and Minority-Safety Concerns
The CPI(M) said the couple were targeted over what it described as false allegations of forced religious conversion.
Unconfirmed Allegations and No Official Response
The report did not include a statement from those making the conversion allegations explaining or substantiating them.
Police action
CPI(M) and Minority-Safety Concerns
M A Baby and the CPI(M) alleged that local police failed to take action against those responsible.
Unconfirmed Allegations and No Official Response
Police had not issued an immediate response in the report, so their account of the incident and any investigation remained unavailable.
Key facts
- Alleged victims
- Bishop Anil Kumar Bhowmik and his wife
- Location
- Arambagh, Hooghly district, West Bengal
- Reported timing
- A recent Sunday during a prayer service
- Alleged accusation
- Forced religious conversion
- Political response
- CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby condemned the alleged attack
- Police status
- The CPI(M) alleged that local police had not taken action
- Independent verification
- No independent confirmation or immediate response from police or the accused persons was reported
Quotes
M A Baby
CPI(M) general secretary who condemned the alleged attack and said he spoke with the bishop
“I spoke to Bishop Anil Kumar Bhowmik, who was attacked in Arambagh. He and his wife were allegedly pulled out during Sunday prayers and assaulted by goons associated with the Sangh Parivar. The attack was based on false allegations of forced conversion.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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