Police have filed criminal cases against 25 Christian leaders by name and 50 others following a massive demonstration in Malkangiri on 2 July that allegedly turned violent when protesters confronted police officials.
More than 7,000 people had gathered for what organisers called a peace rally, jointly organised by the Odisha unit of Rashtriya Christian Morcha, Malkangiri District Christian Manch, and Voice Against Hate. Despite heavy rainfall, thousands participated in the demonstration and submitted a memorandum to the district collector’s office.
However, tensions escalated dramatically when Manas Choudhury, president of Voice Against Hate and a senior Congress leader, attempted to garland Inspector Rigan Kindo of Malkangiri police station. The act, interpreted as public humiliation, marked a turning point in what had been a peaceful demonstration.
According to the police FIR filed by Sub-Inspector Prabhata Gouda, protesters forcefully opened the main gate and entered the collector’s office premises with violence. The confrontation later moved to DNK Playground, where tensions with police intensified further.
The legal consequences were swift and severe. Police registered a criminal case under Police case No-315/2025, imposing charges including wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly, obstruction in public ways, and deterring public servants from discharging their duty. The charges were filed under sections 126, 189(2), 190, 285, 132 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and section 32 of the Police Act 1861, with some sections being non-bailable.
The named individuals comprise prominent Christian leaders from across the region, including Manas Kumar Choudhary of Bhubaneswar, Bijay Khara of Kalimela, Rajesh Patra of Koraput, Rev. Jitendra Khosla of Koraput, Rev. Debendra Singh of Jeypore, and Bishop Pallab Lima of Bhubaneswar.
The massive demonstration was sparked by community outrage over a brutal attack on Christians that occurred on 21 June in Matapaka village. Approximately 300-400 individuals linked to Hindu nationalist groups had stormed a Christian prayer gathering, disrupting a peaceful seed blessing ceremony for the upcoming agricultural season.
Armed with axes, iron rods and other weapons, the attackers left at least 28 Christians requiring urgent medical treatment at Malkangiri District Hospital. The attackers falsely accused the Christian community of engaging in forceful conversions, an unfounded claim often used to justify attacks on religious minorities in India.
While police registered a First Information Report at Katamateru village police station on 22 June naming 16 accused persons in the original attack, no arrests had been made in the nearly two weeks that followed, fuelling community anger.
Bishop Pallab Lima, State General Secretary of Rastriya Christian Morcha, told the media that “the victims of this brutal assault are not only suffering from their physical injuries but are also living in extreme fear and insecurity. They are apprehensive about returning to their homes and villages, fearing further reprisal and violence from the accused, who remain at large.”
Prabhakar Sona, Vice President of Malkangiri District Christian Manch, told the media that “the police have assured us that all accused will be arrested by 4 July without fail.”
Malkangiri SP Vinodh Patil H confirmed to the media that the police have registered a case and “the matter is under investigation.”
However, Christian leaders have strongly disputed the charges, alleging a deliberate conspiracy. A senior Christian leader, speaking to Christian Today on condition of anonymity, claimed that several individuals named in the FIR were not even present at the rally. “The police administration has shown no interest in arresting those who brutally attacked our community members in Malkangiri,” the leader said. “Instead, they are targeting those who peacefully demanded justice. What’s most shocking is that they have deliberately included names of Christian leaders who weren’t even at the rally. This appears to be a calculated attempt to intimidate and silence our community.”
