Christian leaders in Chhattisgarh state have raised concern after a Christian family was reportedly attacked and threatened because of their faith.
The incident took place on 9 May in Madgaon village, located in Kondagaon district. According to the Progressive Christian Alliance (PCA), the dispute began when two local men objected to the family collecting mangoes from land they had farmed for many years.
Pastor Simon Digbal Tandi, coordinator of the PCA, said the attackers claimed the family no longer had the right to remain in the village or use local resources because they had become Christians.
Reports state that five members of the family suffered serious injuries during the assault, including head injuries and broken hands. They are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Christian leaders also said the family had faced ongoing pressure in recent months. During village gatherings, they were allegedly insulted and warned to abandon their Christian faith or face expulsion from the village, loss of land rights, and further threats.
Although the family reportedly approached the local police station to file a complaint, Christian leaders claim no official case was registered.
Following the attack, the Progressive Christian Alliance called on authorities to protect the victims, provide proper medical care, and take legal action against those responsible. The group also appealed for steps to stop the reported social and economic boycott against the family.
Concerns among Christian communities in Chhattisgarh have grown since the state introduced a stricter anti-conversion law earlier this year. Critics from minority communities argue that the law could affect religious freedom and increase pressure on Christians and other faith groups.
Pastor Tandi said attacks and intimidation targeting Christians appear to have increased in recent months. He also referred to another incident on 10 May, when activists linked to a Hindu nationalist organisation reportedly visited several churches in Dhamtari district during worship services and threatened churchgoers.
Christian leaders in the state say such incidents are becoming increasingly common, particularly in rural areas.
According to the United Christian Forum, a New Delhi-based organisation that documents persecution cases, Chhattisgarh recorded 165 incidents against Christians in 2024, making it one of the states with the highest number of reported attacks.
This is a rewritten version of the original article from UCA News.
