Christian Educational Institutions in India Face Mounting Pressure

Christian educational institutions in West Bengal, India, are facing increased pressure from government officials and religious extremists, according to a report by ZENIT News Agency. Last week, state officials conducted surprise visits to St. Xavier’s College, which is run by the Roman Catholic Church, and Serampore College.

The report states that Hindu extremists are using social media to spread baseless claims that these minority colleges are used for illegal religious conversions. Specifically, the Vedanta YouTube channel has shared unverified and inflammatory claims that Serampore College serves as a base for such activities. These digital narratives provide a pretext for state intervention.

This shift in focus toward urban educational landmarks follows the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in May 2026. The report suggests that the targeting of these institutions follows previous pressure placed on Christian worship centers.