A group of Protestant Christians in the village of Kotamateru, located in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, were violently attacked on 21 June after reportedly refusing demands to abandon their faith and convert to Hinduism. Eight individuals sustained injuries and were admitted to the district hospital, according to Christian leaders and local reports.
The victims were returning home from a church gathering when they were surrounded and assaulted by a mob. Witnesses said the attackers were armed and accused the Christians of rejecting efforts to join Hinduism. The violence occurred in an area known for previous incidents of religious hostility and marginalisation of minority faiths.
Local police confirmed that several people were injured and stated that an investigation is underway. However, officials suggested the violence may have stemmed from a personal dispute between two brothers—one Christian, the other Hindu—though Christian leaders strongly disputed this explanation.
Community representatives identified the attackers as part of a campaign by radical groups, including suspected members of the Bajrang Dal, to pressure Christians into converting. A local Christian group also accused certain outfits of running a "Save Culture" campaign that targets religious minorities.
Pallab Lima, a senior figure in the Rashtriya Christian Morcha, said the situation had been tense in recent months, with many believers facing threats. He described the attack as “planned” and claimed that the assailants arrived with weapons such as axes and sticks, launching an assault that lasted for hours. One individual was reportedly able to contact a local pastor, who then alerted police.
In response to the incident, local Christians staged a peaceful protest and submitted a formal appeal to the district superintendent of police. Community leaders expressed concern that the victims, who remain hospitalised, are fearful of returning to their homes due to ongoing threats.
Christian leaders from the region, including Father Sushil Kumar Gouda, noted that many of the believers in Malkangiri are tribal Christians living in poverty. He said these communities often endure routine discrimination, threats, and social exclusion for practising their faith.
Odisha, where Hindus make up over 93% of the population, has witnessed repeated incidents of anti-Christian violence, including a major outbreak in 2008. Although the Indian constitution guarantees religious freedom, Christians and other minorities frequently report pressure to convert and harassment linked to their beliefs.
Despite the hardships, Christian leaders say their communities remain steadfast in faith, continuing to meet for prayer and worship even in the face of rising opposition.
