Tensions Erupt in Bengal as Christian Burial is Halted by Alleged Hindutva Mob

In a distressing incident that unfolded on August 14 in Sahanagar town, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, a Christian burial was abruptly interrupted and mourners were reportedly assaulted by a mob claimed to be linked to Hindutva groups. The event took place under the governance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising concerns about communal harmony in the region.

Father Samuel Hembrom, the Parish Priest-in-Charge of St Claret Church, provided details of the incident, indicating that the mob interfered just as the deceased, a woman, was being laid to rest. Despite having already placed the body in the grave, the group demanded that it be exhumed. The body was subsequently transported to a different cemetery in Bardhaman town.

According to Father Hembrom, the mob insisted on viewing the documentation for the burial ground, to which he replied that he needed time to retrieve the necessary paperwork from the church. Despite their protests, the burial was not allowed to proceed. Frustrated by the situation, Hembrom attempted to alert higher authorities, sending an email complaint to the superintendent of police and the block development officer, but remarked that he received no response.

In a statement to The Indian Express, Purba Bardhaman Superintendent of Police Pushpa explained that the objections from local residents stemmed from the claim that the deceased woman did not belong to the area. Additionally, local inhabitants argued that the land designated for burial was private property and not a recognized cemetery. Currently, the authorities are in the process of verifying the land records.

Pushpa further dismissed allegations of assault against the mourners, stating, “I don’t think there was an assault.” However, the lack of clarity surrounding the events and the police’s response has left many in the community concerned about the implications of such incidents for communal relations in a diverse and pluralistic society like India.

Source: scroll.in