Christian family attacked in India over refusal to renounce faith

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Christian family in India’s West Bengal state was attacked inside their home by a mob allegedly linked to a Hindu extremist organization, which assaulted a woman, destroyed Bibles and threatened to kill family members unless they abandoned Christianity and converted to Hinduism.

The attack occurred in East Midnapore district, where approximately 30 people, including relatives and neighbors, allegedly stormed the home of Parvati Hembram Soren, 27, while she was praying with her husband and two children.

According to the fact-checking website Alt News, several attackers identified themselves as members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu extremist organization associated with India’s broader Hindutva movement, which seeks to establish Hindu political and cultural dominance.

Parvati said the attackers entered her home, verbally abused the family and seized their Bibles before locking other family members inside a room.

“They slapped, kicked and punched me,” she said, describing how several women grabbed her hair, dragged her outside and tore her clothes while assaulting her.

The attack reportedly continued for nearly an hour, leaving Parvati unconscious. Her sister-in-law was also beaten.

The attackers allegedly destroyed four Bibles and threw them into a nearby pond. They also damaged a mobile phone after deleting photographs and videos recorded during the assault.

Parvati said the mob repeatedly demanded that her family renounce Christianity and return to Hinduism, threatening violence, death and a social and economic boycott if they refused.

The family had embraced Christianity more than a year earlier and belonged to a local Catholic congregation.

Parvati also described continuing harassment by neighbors, including attempts to restrict access to water and pressure on a financial institution to deny her family a loan because of their religious conversion.

Her husband works as an electric rickshaw driver, while she earns a living through agricultural labor.

The family had previously faced intimidation from individuals claiming affiliation with Bajrang Dal, another Hindu extremist outfit, who allegedly visited their home and demanded that they abandon Christianity.

Despite an earlier complaint, Parvati said police failed to take action.

Following the latest assault, police registered a criminal case on October 28 under provisions covering physical assault, theft, trespassing, intimidation and assault against a woman with intent to disrobe her.

However, no arrests had been reported at the time of the complaint.

Parvati also accused police of discouraging the family from playing Christian religious songs, claiming officers told them to conduct their religious practices privately to avoid accusations of conversion.

The attack comes amid growing concerns over violence against India’s Christian minority, particularly attacks involving Hindu nationalist groups accusing Christians of religious conversion.

In another incident in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, a Christian family was allegedly subjected to days of assault, sexual harassment and intimidation by men claiming links to Bajrang Dal.

Christian rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about attacks on worshippers, intimidation of converts and pressure on minority communities to abandon their faith.

Parvati’s family has demanded police protection, fearing further violence and economic retaliation for continuing to practice Christianity.