World · India Bureau
Effigy of Christian priests burned in West Bengal village
An effigy of Christian priests was burned in Basanti, West Bengal, in an incident that has drawn attention to religious tensions in the area. Local church authorities have filed a police complaint, attributing the act to outsiders rather than residents.
LSN India ·

An effigy of Christian priests was set ablaze in Basanti, a village in West Bengal, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the incident. Father Parimal Kanji, the priest-in-charge at the local church, confirmed that a formal written complaint has been lodged with police following the event.
According to Father Kanji, those responsible for burning the effigy were not members of the local community but rather outsiders who may have deliberately traveled to the area to provoke tensions. The priest's assertion suggests a calculated attempt to stir religious discord in the village.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about religious harmony in parts of West Bengal, where Christian communities have occasionally faced hostility. Police have registered the complaint and begun their investigation to identify those involved in the effigy burning and determine their motives.
Local church authorities have appealed for calm and called on security forces to ensure the protection of Christian residents and places of worship in the region. The matter remains under investigation.