Mob Forces Early End to Santhali Bible Convention in India's West Bengal

KRISHNANAGAR, India —

A mob attacked an annual Bible convention for Santhali tribal Christians at a church retreat center in Jalalkhali, in West Bengal's Nadia district, on Oct. 9, forcing the four-day gathering to end early, International Christian Concern reported.

ICC said about 200 people arrived in vehicles carrying bricks and bamboo sticks, tried to force their way onto the grounds of the Divine Love Retreat Centre, threw stones, shouted anti-Christian slogans and damaged church property. The convention usually draws more than 2,000 Santhali Christians, and several believers were reportedly hurt, according to ICC.

The Press Trust of India, in a report carried by ThePrint, said St. Louis Catholic Church in Jalalkhali was vandalized that day by a group of people over accusations of religious conversion, and that the incident escalated into a confrontation. Watchman News has not independently confirmed the number of people injured.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India called the attack a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of religion and appealed to federal Home Minister Amit Shah and the West Bengal government for investigations and more security for religious minorities, ICC said. Herod Mullick of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, a forum of Christians from many denominations, said, “We strongly condemn this attack.” The group has begun giving legal aid to affected communities.

No arrests were reported. India Hate Lab has documented at least 60 hate crimes against Christians in West Bengal from May to September 2026, including eight involving physical assault or organized mob violence, according to ICC. Christian schools and leaders in the state have also asked to meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat about the attacks, PTI reported; an RSS spokesperson denied the charges.