Police Intervention Prevents Escalation at Catholic Parish in West Bengal

Kolkata, August 3, 2026: Prompt police intervention and the gathering of local parishioners prevented a potentially tense situation from escalating at a Catholic parish in Bamunpukur in West Bengal on Monday after a monk and a group of people arrived at the church and questioned the parish priest over alleged religious conversions.

According to Shyamal Bose, Bishop of the Diocese of Baruipur, and the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), the incident occurred around noon at Bamunpukur Catholic Church in Minakhan. The accounts identify the visitor as a monk who introduced himself as “Swami Shivananda Maharaj” and claimed affiliation with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). He was reportedly accompanied by around 10 to 12 people.

The visitors allegedly entered the parish priest’s office and sought to question Parish Priest Fr Dari. Following earlier instructions from the diocese, the priest declined to meet the visitors alone and asked members of the Parish Pastoral Council to be present.

As the interaction continued, parish council members and local Catholic faithful gathered at the church premises. Bishop Bose said nearly 200 people, including members of other Christian denominations, eventually assembled in solidarity with the parish community.

According to the BCP, the priest remained calm during the encounter and responded to the visitors’ questions with questions of his own. The organisation said the arrival of parishioners helped prevent the situation from escalating.

The visitors reportedly raised allegations that the Church was converting members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities in nearby villages. They also questioned why, according to them, similar efforts were not being made among affluent sections of society in towns and cities.

The monk reportedly referred to Nagaland and Kerala while making claims about the growth of Christianity in the two States. According to Bishop Bose, he also demanded that the parish priest encourage around 300 Christian families associated with the parish to return to what he described as their original religion, Hinduism.

The BCP said that, before leaving the parish, the visitor similarly appealed to Christians who had converted to return to “Sanatan Dharma”.

Police were alerted following the incident and intervened promptly. According to Bishop Bose, the visiting group was taken to the nearest police station, while the parish priest was also asked to be present.

The Officer-in-Charge asked the priest whether he wanted to lodge a formal complaint. The priest reportedly declined, saying there had been no damage and that the Christian community wanted to maintain peaceful relations with people of all faiths.

The BCP, however, subsequently advised the parish to file a formal complaint so that the incident could be officially documented. Its Legal Cell prepared a draft First Information Report to assist the parish with the process, the organisation said.

Police reportedly cautioned the visiting group against disturbing public order or intimidating members of the local community. The authorities also informed them that prior permission would be required for any future public preaching or organised programme and that police assistance would be provided in accordance with the law once the necessary approvals were obtained.

The police later contacted the parish priest by telephone to assess the situation and assured the parish of adequate security, according to the BCP.

Bishop Bose expressed appreciation for the prompt police response, saying the intervention helped prevent the situation from escalating. He called for harmony, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

The BCP said the incident underlined the importance of community alert mechanisms, noting that it had circulated an advisory earlier that day encouraging churches across West Bengal to establish Community Alert Groups.

The organisation said rapid communication among parishioners helped ensure a peaceful response at Bamunpukur and urged churches to strengthen communication networks, document incidents and maintain close contact with law-enforcement agencies.

The incident ended without reported violence or damage to property. It has nevertheless prompted renewed calls for vigilance, timely police intervention and adherence to lawful procedures when disputes or allegations involving religious institutions arise.

By Catholic Connect Reporter