A “people’s tribunal” comprising members of civil society and former bureaucrats on Monday said that 48 incidents of violence against Christians have taken place in West Bengal in the last six months.

The BJP came to power in the state for the first time in May this year.

The “people’s tribunal” hearing was organised by three outfits – Karwaan-e-Mohabbat, Sabar Institute, and Amra Ek Sachetan Prayas at Kolkata ’s The Muslim Institute. The “tribunal” comprised author and social activist Harsh Mander, journalist Aakar Patel, former bureaucrat and ex-TMC Rajya MP Jawhar Sircar, human rights and Christian political activist John Dayal, former chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities Wajahat Habibullah, historian and feminist Tanika Sarkar, peace and conflict studies researcher Omair Khan, and social activist Vidya Dinker.

From allegations of sexual assault to destruction of property and police inaction, several residents recounted the alleged attacks on them by Hindu groups.

During the recording…