West Bengal’s Panshkura town in Purba Medinipur district witnessed a shocking incident of religious violence on February 24, when a Hindu mob attacked a Christian family, accusing them of forced religious conversions. A video that surfaced on February 27 shows the mob breaking into the family’s home, vandalizing a prayer area, and placing a Tulsi plant where a shrine once stood. The situation escalated as a group of Hindu women were seen dragging Christian female attendees out of the house, pulling their hair, and physically assaulting them. The attack was reportedly fueled by allegations that the family was luring local Hindus into Christianity with financial incentives.

This incident adds to the growing number of hate crimes against Christians in India, which reached alarming levels by the end of October 2024. According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), 673 such attacks were recorded last year, with Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh reporting the highest numbers. Hindutva groups have been at the forefront of these attacks, justifying their actions under the pretext of preventing religious conversions. The rising hostility has created a climate of fear among Christian communities, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Haryana, where targeted violence has surged.

Christian leaders have voiced deep concerns over the increasing threats, especially following inflammatory calls for violence. In Chhattisgarh, a Hindutva leader, Aadesh Soni, recently urged Hindus to carry out mass murders and sexual violence against Christians on March 1, 2025, targeting villages such as Bishrampur, Janakpur, and Ganeshpur. With such open calls for attacks, Christian communities fear for their safety, as religious intolerance and mob violence continue to rise unchecked in various parts of India.