3 days ago
West Bengal Conversion Allegations Trigger Protests and Police Inquiries
Several communities in West Bengal have protested activities they believe may be connected to Christian conversion.
In Hingalganj, residents questioned an Argentine visitor and other people about religious gatherings.
Police also questioned three people after an alleged gathering in Sandelerbil.
In Hasnabad, protesters objected to a free coaching centre because they said Christian religious material was used there.
Someone connected with the centre said it was meant to provide free tuition.
In Sonamukhi, locals interrupted a prayer or healing programme and questioned the books being distributed.
A separate confrontation took place in Jalpaiguri in July.
The reports describe allegations and disputes, not findings that illegal conversion occurred.
Police and other authorities must investigate the claims using evidence.
Residents in Hingalganj accused an Argentine national and others of attempting to persuade local people to convert to Christianity.
Police questioned three people, including two foreign nationals, over an alleged conversion-related gathering in Sandelerbil.
Protesters in Hasnabad alleged that a Christian-run free coaching centre used Bible and Jesus-related material alongside lessons.
Locals in Sonamukhi disrupted a Christian prayer or healing programme over claims that it involved conversion and Bible distribution.
Authorities have not established the allegations; investigations are examining the participants, activities and any evidence of inducement or illegal conversion.
- Who
- Residents, local protest groups, Christian religious workers or organisers, an Argentine national and other foreign nationals; police questioned three people in Hingalganj.
- What
- Protests and confrontations over alleged Christian conversion activities connected to a foreign visitor, a coaching centre, and religious gatherings.
- Where
- Hingalganj and Hasnabad in North 24 Parganas, Sonamukhi in Bankura, and Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
- When
- Incidents were reported in July 2026, on August 31, on September 2, and on September 5, 2026.
- Why
- Residents alleged that people were being exposed to Christian teachings or offered money and other inducements, while organisers described some activities as free tuition or prayer.
Protesters and Residents
Organisers and Authorities
Purpose of the activities
Protesters and Residents
Residents and protest groups alleged that religious gatherings and the Hasnabad centre were being used to persuade Hindus, tribal residents or other local people to embrace Christianity.
Organisers and Authorities
A person associated with the Hasnabad centre said it was established to provide children with free tuition, while an organiser in Sonamukhi said the material was intended for prayer.
Inducements and targeting
Protesters and Residents
Some villagers claimed that economically weaker people near the Sundarbans were offered money or other inducements and that children were exposed to Christian teachings.
Organisers and Authorities
Police had not confirmed these claims and were examining whether there was evidence supporting the allegations.
Response to the protests
Protesters and Residents
Protesters demanded that the Hasnabad centre stop and disrupted or questioned activities in several locations, saying they were defending their communities from unlawful conversion.
Organisers and Authorities
The centre-associated person indicated that religious activities would not continue if local residents opposed them, while police continued investigating rather than announcing a finding of illegal conversion.
Key facts
- Main region
- West Bengal
- Hingalganj incident
- Residents confronted an Argentine national and police questioned three people, including two foreign nationals.
- Alleged gathering
- The gathering was reported in Sandelerbil village panchayat, within the Hingalganj area.
- Hasnabad centre
- Protesters alleged that a free coaching centre used material about Jesus and the Bible.
- Sonamukhi programme
- Locals confronted organisers during a programme described as prayer or healing and questioned Bible-related material.
- Police status
- Police were examining the identities, activities and purpose of those involved, along with the basis of the allegations.
- Key uncertainty
- The reports do not establish that forced, induced or illegal conversion occurred.
Quotes
Person associated with the Hasnabad centre
An unidentified person associated with the Christian-run coaching centre.
“There are no pictures of great personalities or Hindu deities on these walls. Why should this be done? Jesus’ pictures are painted all over the walls. Go inside and see for yourself.”
opindia.com
“We just teach free tuition to these children. For the children’s study… we set this up to teach them.”
opindia.com
Sources
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