More than 30 Christians were injured in a violent attack during a prayer gathering in Odisha. Nearly two weeks after the incident, no arrests have been made, raising serious concerns among Christian leaders and rights groups.
The attack happened on 21 June in Kotamateru village, located in Odisha’s Malkangiri district. Around 20 Christian farming families had gathered to pray and bless seeds before planting season when a large group of nearly 400 individuals reportedly stormed the area armed with weapons, including axes.
According to Christian Solidarity International (CSI), the attack seemed organised, with victims suffering serious injuries. At least 20 were taken to hospital. The rest of the Christian community sought refuge in a nearby church, which is now being used as a temporary shelter.
The U.S.-based organisation International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that Christians from three nearby villages had joined together for a shared meal when they were attacked with sticks and sharp weapons.
Local police offered a different explanation, stating the violence began from a family dispute between two brothers—one Christian and one Hindu. However, Christian leaders strongly rejected this version. They allege that members of Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist group, were behind the assault. Although a Bajrang Dal leader denied direct involvement, he admitted that some Hindus oppose Christian conversions and claimed that such actions could lead to "spontaneous reactions."
Christian leaders and representatives from several organisations, including the National Christian Forum and Council of Evangelical Churches in India, visited the victims and met with police officials to demand justice and protection. While a police report has been filed, it includes only minor charges, such as causing injury and unlawful confinement. Serious offences, such as attempted murder or incitement of religious hatred, were not included.
On 23 June, the Malkangiri Pastors Fellowship submitted a formal request for a permanent police presence in the village and nearby areas. However, CSI reported that no arrests have been made, and authorities have not offered security for the affected families.
Bishop Pallab Kumar Lima, a local church leader, described the current situation as “a grave humanitarian crisis” and called on the Odisha state government to provide assistance through the Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme.
Christians in Odisha have reported growing hostility for several years. Between March and April 2025, fact-finding missions documented a rise in anti-Christian attacks across multiple districts, including cases of denied burial rights, police abuse, and violence during worship.
In one case in Nabarangpur, the body of a deceased Christian man was taken from his grave, and his family was attacked—while police allegedly failed to intervene.
Odisha previously witnessed severe anti-Christian violence in 2007 and 2008, especially in Kandhamal district, where over 100 churches and hundreds of Christian homes were destroyed. Those riots resulted in dozens of deaths, displacements of thousands, and widespread reports of assault and forced conversions.
Christian leaders continue to call for justice, protection, and stronger action from authorities to prevent further violence.
