A series of violent attacks orchestrated by Hindu nationalist groups against Christian families has shaken multiple districts in Chhattisgarh over the past two weeks, leaving homes destroyed and families displaced. The attacks, part of a broader pattern of systematic persecution against tribal Christians in the state, have involved mob violence, property destruction, and forced reconversions. Heavy police deployment has followed the incidents, though victims and rights groups report that authorities have largely failed to protect Christian communities or act against perpetrators.
On December 29, eight Christian families in Mardum village in Lohandiguda block of Bastar district faced a coordinated attack. According to a formal complaint filed with the Police Superintendent of Bastar district on the same day, opposition villagers went from house to house around 11:00 am, physically assaulting residents and looting property.
The attackers stole all possessions from the families, including stored grains such as rice, wheat, corn, and even masalas. After throwing the Christians out, they locked all the houses using their own locks and keys. “At approximately 11:00 am today, December 29, 2025, opposing villagers came to our homes and began physically assaulting us, pushing, shoving, beating. They looted our stored rice, approximately 100 quintals, along with corn, chickens, and household items. They locked our homes from outside. They spat in our prepared food and threw sand in our rice and lentils,” the complaint reads.
All eight families, including young children, were reportedly kept outside all day during severe cold conditions and spent the whole night around their houses. Ulleswari, a lady who was six months pregnant, was attacked by miscreants and lost consciousness. As per reports, she is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. The document alleges that police were present in the vicinity during the incident but did not intervene. While police were present, the miscreants moved from house to house, loading sacks of grains into a vehicle. Reports indicated they sold the looted grains in the market.
A Christian leader identified as Pastor Das is reported to have accompanied the victims to meet with the Superintendent of Police and file applications at multiple offices. As of this report, the status of any FIR registration remains unclear.
On the same day, violence erupted in Pusagaon village, approximately 15 kilometres from Kanker district headquarters, under Aamabeda police station area. According to reports, villagers called a meeting with families who had converted to Christianity, asking them to return to their original religion. When the converted families refused, the situation turned violent.
Armed with lathis (bamboo sticks) and iron rods, villagers attacked approximately 12 homes. Videos circulating on social media show people climbing onto roofs, tearing apart thatched structures and tin sheets, and destroying household property with sticks. Kanker Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakheja told media: “Police force reached the spot immediately. Two-three houses have been damaged. Police have obtained video footage of the rioters. Police teams are already taking surveillance and preventive measures.”
He added: “Once the situation normalises, appropriate action will be taken against these people. FIR will be registered upon receiving a complaint. We have not yet received a complaint from the victim side. Once we receive the complaint, we will take action against the accused.” Christian families reportedly fled their homes in fear following the violence.
The current wave of violence traces back to Badetewada village in Kanker district’s Aamabeda police station area. On December 15, Chamra Ram Salam, father of village sarpanch Rajman Salam, passed away. Though the deceased and his elder brother were not Christians, traditional tribal leaders refused to conduct the last rites and denied the family access to the village burial ground solely because the sarpanch had converted to Christianity. Left with no option, the elder brother buried their father on family land on December 16 using traditional tribal customs, not Christian rites. Local residents and Hindu organisations opposed even this.
On December 17, during a condolence gathering attended by people from several villages, a mob of 300 to 400 people arrived and without provocation began attacking those present. The sarpanch, his elder brother, his sister-in-law, and many others including Christians were seriously beaten. Those present retaliated in self-defence. Police vehicles were damaged and several officers injured. Rajman Salam said: “Hundreds of people associated with Hindu organisations and public representatives affiliated with BJP reached the village and beat my family members fiercely. Women were also not spared.”
On December 18, police exhumed the body. A mob of over 3,000 people gathered, damaged Rajman Salam’s house and church, and destroyed two other churches in nearby villages. Stone pelting on police resumed. Rajman Salam stated: “During this, in the presence of police, the mob set two churches on fire.” The sarpanch did not know where his father’s body had been taken even a week later.
Following the Badetewada incidents, Hindu organisations called for a Chhattisgarh bandh (state-wide shutdown) on December 25. The shutdown received support from the Chamber of Commerce and various caste-based organisations.
In Dhamtari district’s Borai village, 65-year-old Puniya Bai Sahu, who had converted to Christianity two years earlier, died on Wednesday, December 24. When her family attempted to conduct funeral rites, hundreds of villagers and Hindu organisations blocked them, stating that as a Christian convert, she could not be buried in the village. The family then took the body to Nagri, the tehsil headquarters, but faced opposition there as well. The grave that had been dug was filled back in by crowds.
On the night of December 25, in the presence of police and administrative officials, the family was made to sign an affidavit. The document stated: “We family members, being misled, were participating in Christian religion and Christian community programmes from Hindu religion. Therefore, this family will support mainstream Hindu rituals and worship of regional deities and village customs. And our entire family will not have any kind of relationship with Christian religion or preachers again. The entire family apologises to all communities in the Borai region. If we return to Christianity again, we will leave the village on our own and go elsewhere.”
Only after signing this statement was the family permitted to cremate the body on December 26 according to Hindu rites. Additional Superintendent of Police Manishankar Chandra said: “There was a death in the Sahu community in Borai village, about which there was some dispute between the community members and the family. Due to the dispute, there was a problem for their funeral rites. A social meeting was held regarding this by the community members. Finally it was resolved socially.”
Heavy police presence continues in affected villages across Kanker, Bastar and Dhamtari districts. Approximately 200 people were reportedly deployed at the Pusagaon site following the violence. Section 163 (prohibitory orders) has been imposed in some areas. Despite video evidence of the Pusagaon violence and formal complaints filed in the Mardum village case, no legal measures have been initiated against the culprits so far. Police in multiple locations cite the absence of formal complaints from victims as the reason for not initiating action.
The affected Christian families remain displaced. Administrative officials have not issued any statements regarding compensation for victims or timelines for their return to their homes.
