Bible Society to demolish 200-year-old building, Christians protest

Christians in Kolkata have come out strongly against the Bible Society of India's (BSI) decision to pull down a heritage building in the state.

According to media reports, the BSI is planning to demolish its 200-year-old heritage building and hand over the land to a businessman for development.

Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, the apex body of Christians in West Bengal, threatened there would be protests if the authorities decided to sell or redevelop the building.

"Its importance was only after the London Bible Society. If the authorities decided to sell it or redevelop it, it should immediately step back. Otherwise, there will be protests," Herod Mullick, general secretary of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, told Press Trust of India.

Mullick said he would approach the chief minister, mayor and chairman of the state Heritage Committee for their intervention to prevent the development.

Convener of the Kolkata Christian Forum, Rev Sukhendu Biswas, said meetings, rallies and vigils would be organised against the BSI move.

The Bible Society building, located in the heart of the city, is listed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation as a grade-I heritage building.

BSI national president Dr Navamani Peter told media that a lawyer was appointed to look into all aspects before razing down the building. "There will be a meeting of the BSI Kolkata unit on June 25 where a decision on how to develop the property would be taken," Peter said.

While it is reported that the property is being sold off to a private promoter for development, BSI's Kolkata unit has denied the claim.

"It is not true that the property is being sold off. It will be developed. This is all I can tell you," secretary of the BSI Kolkata Auxiliary, Sajal Biswas, told PTI.

The Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society was established in the year 1811.