Peaceful Hindu Outreach Ends in Violence: Local BJP Leaders Accused of Assaulting Hindu Organisations in Bamanpukur as West Bengal Police Face Mounting Questions Over Failure to Act

On 5 August 2026, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Matri Mandali, Dharma Prachaar Pramukh, Durga Vahini and Rashtriya Hindu Vahini, led by Sivanand Ji Maharaj and accompanied by Sadhus and Sants, approached Christian families in Bamanpukur of Minakhan under North 24 Parganas District of  West Bengal.

According to statements issued by the organisations, the outreach involved around 900 Christian families whom they claim were converted to Christianity roughly 50 years ago amid severe poverty. Sivanand Ji Maharaj and the accompanying Sadhus approached the families and the local church priest respectfully, requesting those who wished to do so to return to the Sanatana Dharma fold.

The organisations state that the interaction was peaceful, with no reported violence or misbehaviour during the outreach.

Police Intervention and Alleged Assault

Following the meeting, the organisations accused local political figures Rudranil Patra, Bharat Chandra Das and Bhudeb of pressuring local policemen to act against Sivanand Ji Maharaj. Police subsequently took him to the station.

The organisations have publicly stated that he was harassed and insulted inside the police station, raising serious questions about the legal basis for his detention and the conduct of the officers involved.

The organisations further allege that local BJP leaders assaulted people who had gathered at the site. Four VHP members reportedly fled into a nearby pond to escape the attack. As they moved into throat-deep water, stones were allegedly thrown at them. There are also allegations that attempts were made to smash their mobile phones, potentially destroying evidence of the incident.

These allegations require an immediate and impartial investigation.

Where Was the Police?

The central question is simple: what did the authorities do to protect those allegedly under attacks and what action  were taken ?

The organisations say repeated protests and demands for justice have produced no decisive action.

On 8 August, senior spokesperson Mrigank Ranjit publicly called upon police personnel to perform their duty and ensure justice, stating that officers entrusted with protecting citizens had instead acted in a manner unworthy of their uniform. He described the alleged assault as an attack not merely on individuals but on the wider Hindu community.

The Questions That Demand Answers

Authorities must establish:

• Why was Sivanand Ji Maharaj taken to the police station?
• Under what legal provision was he detained or questioned?
• What had occurred inside the station?
• Who was responsible for the alleged assault?
• Were the four VHP members forced into the pond to escape violence?
• Were stones thrown at them?
• Were attempts made to destroy mobile phones or other evidence?
• Were complaints registered, and what action followed?
• Was political pressure exerted on the police?
• Were CCTV footage and mobile-phone evidence preserved?

These are basic questions of law, policing and accountability.

The Bamanpukur incident should not be reduced to a Hindu-Christian or a political confrontation. Religious persuasion must remain peaceful, religious belief must remain voluntary and violence or intimidation must never be tolerated—regardless of who is responsible.

Most importantly, the law cannot operate by different standards for different communities or political affiliations.

If the allegations are false, an impartial investigation should establish that. If they are true, those responsible must be held accountable.

Bamanpukur now demands facts, evidence and justice—not political silence.