Update on Hindu groups disrupt Christian prayer meeting in Chhattisgarh
The Christian family at the centre of a violent disruption of their prayer meeting in Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha district has been forced into hiding, with Pastor Jose Thomas expressing fears for his life following continued threats from Hindu nationalist groups.
Speaking to Malayalam news outlet Manorama Online, the 56-year-old pastor revealed the family’s desperate situation: “I fled in fear for my life. They’ll finish me if they catch me. I don’t know where to go now.”
Thomas, originally from Ottasekharamangalam near Kattakada in Thiruvananthapuram, has lived in Chhattisgarh for 35 years and serves as director of Holy Kingdom English Medium School in Kawardha. The school, established in 1999, was the district’s first English-medium institution and currently enrols approximately 600 students.
New details have emerged suggesting the 18 May attack was precipitated by a dispute over school fees. According to Thomas, trouble began on 28 April when a BJP leader telephoned demanding transfer certificates for two students whose parents are Bajrang Dal leaders.
“I explained that they had outstanding fees of over ₹1.5 lakh and that the TCs would be issued once the dues were cleared,” Thomas recounted. When he refused to compromise on the fee payment, both the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police contacted him, pressing for the certificates to be issued.
The pastor’s son, Joshua Jose Thomas, provided additional context to Maktoob Media, revealing a pattern of intimidation spanning years. “Whenever a student who hadn’t paid the fees was asked to do so, local Bharatiya Janata Party leaders would arrive and issue threats,” he explained.
Joshua alleged that BJP District President Rajendra Chandravanshi had telephoned on 29 April, threatening to shut the school unless transfer certificates were issued for the children of Sushil Shinde, despite two years of unpaid fees and no formal application.
The family claims local media outlets collaborated with the Hindu nationalist groups, with one publication allegedly demanding ₹1 lakh to suppress negative coverage. “The media outlet demanded a ₹1 lakh ransom: if we refused, they would spread the fake conversion story, damage our reputation, and threaten our family’s safety,” Joshua stated.
During the 18 May prayer service disruption, Joshua described horrific scenes of violence against women and children. “Terrified teenage girls hid in the bathroom; the goons broke the door and assaulted them,” he alleged, claiming the attacks occurred in the presence of Additional Superintendent of Police Baghel and media crews.
The family has filed formal complaints about the assault, which included attacks on young girls, but local police have refused to register an FIR. Complaints have since been submitted via email to various authorities, including the District Police Chief.
This incident reflects a broader pattern of violence against Christians in Chhattisgarh. Data from the United Christian Forum shows the state recorded 46 incidents of anti-Christian violence from January to April 2025, making it the second-highest after Uttar Pradesh’s 50 incidents.
The forum’s statistics reveal a disturbing escalation, with Christian tribals and women being disproportionately targeted. Incidents have risen from 127 in 2014 to 834 in 2024, representing what the organisation describes as “two incidents of violence per day” against Christians nationwide.
Thomas revealed this was not the family’s first encounter with persecution, having been arrested on similar conversion charges in 2010-11 during former Chief Minister Raman Singh’s tenure. He was jailed for 10 days before being acquitted by the courts.
Currently hiding with his wife Liji Thomas and their children, the pastor has been warned never to return to Kawardha. “I’ve been told not to return to Kawardha. They’ve warned me that I’ll be killed if I ever go back,” he said.
The District Education Office has informed the school it will conduct an inspection following complaints, leaving the institution’s future uncertain.
