India Hate Lab records 60 anti-Christian hate crimes in West Bengal since BJP took office

A report by India Hate Lab, affiliated with the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, enumerates at least 60 hate-crime incidents targeting Christians in West Bengal from 13 May to 20 Sept 2026, covering 13 districts. The incidents comprise 52 raids on private prayer meetings, homes, churches and other gatherings, eight cases of physical assault, mob violence or vandalism, five public hate-speech events and three protests over alleged conversions.

Hindutva organisations—including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Manch and Hindu Suraksha Samiti—cited the BJP’s recent rise to power and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s anti-conversion rhetoric as justification. Female Christians were specifically harassed, with incidents in Ramnagar and Kulpi where they were mocked for traditional symbols. Police involvement was noted in a July raid in Haldia, where officers escorted Hindu nationalist supporters to detain women distributing Christian literature. The report also highlights that many attackers livestreamed the raids, raising concerns about Meta’s inadequate enforcement against extremist content.