Incident Details and Allegations

A Christian woman residing in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district has lodged a formal police complaint alleging that individuals associated with the Bajrang Dal assaulted, stripped, and forcibly subjected her to a religious "purification" ritual. According to the FIR registered at the Chandrakona police station, the incident took place during the annual Durga Puja festival and was part of an aggressive attempt to compel her family and two other families to convert to Hinduism.

The complainant, a resident of Patlapur, stated that a group of individuals came to her home on October 18, demanding that her family renounce their Christian faith. When she resisted, she was physically struck on the head, causing her to lose consciousness. Upon regaining partial consciousness, she alleged that her saree had been forcibly removed by members of the group.

Threats and Coercion

The victim further detailed severe threats made against her family, including her teenage children. According to the complaint, one of the accused used abusive language against her 16-year-old daughter and threatened to force her into a marriage accompanied by threats of sexual violence. Another minor girl was reportedly grabbed by the throat, while male family members and two other women were subjected to physical blows with bamboo sticks.

The intimidation continued over the subsequent days. The complainant stated that despite calling the police on the night of the initial assault—resulting in a brief preliminary visit by local law enforcement—the perpetrators returned. On October 19, family members were forcibly escorted to a local Durga Puja pandal in nearby Dingal village, where they were allegedly coerced into participating in religious rituals against their will. Further threats of violence and death were issued on October 20 if the families did not abandon their beliefs.

Police Action and Political Fallout

Following a formal complaint filed on the night of October 20, local police booked at least 13 individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to attempted murder and assault. Police protection has since been deployed outside the victim's residence.

The incident has sparked a sharp political reaction in the state. Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress, have strongly condemned the alleged atrocities and demanded immediate legal action against the culprits. Congress leadership has also escalated the matter nationally, urging federal intervention to ensure swift arrests. Local authorities continue to investigate the case as opposition pressure mounts for comprehensive accountability.