Bangladesh Christians protest attacks on churches, faithful in India

A Christian advocacy group in Bangladesh is voicing solidarity with fellow believers in West Bengal, India, after a spate of attacks on churches and faithful in the neighboring Indian state.

The Bangladesh Christian Association formed a human chain and held a protest rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka last Friday, denouncing Hindu nationalist groups for the attacks in India and calling on the Indian government to protect the rights of religious minorities.

Crux Now reported earlier this month that the incidents in West Bengal began July 5 and included the targeted destruction of an under-construction Presbyterian church, an assault on a congregation during Sunday service, and the harassment of a Christian widow.

Reports also said the church site was brutally vandalized by a mob.

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The pastor of the cathedral parish in Bangladesh’s capital archdiocese, Dhaka, told Crux Now the news of