A group of approximately 40 to 50 individuals forcibly entered the church compound belonging to the Church of God in Korar, Kanker District on Sunday, October 26, raising slogans against religious conversion and damaging church property, despite police having advance warning of the planned attack.
The Progressive Christian Alliance (PCA), which condemned the incident in a statement, said the group was reportedly linked with a local Hindu organisation. Eyewitnesses said the mob entered the church compound while chanting “Avaidh Dharmantaran Band Karo” (Stop Illegal Conversions) and “Hindu Ekta Zindabad” (Long Live Hindu Unity).
According to a church source who spoke to Christian Today on condition of anonymity, the Bajrang Dal and other Hindutva groups had intimated the police in advance that they planned to attack the church. Police warned Pastor Komal Sahu, the in-charge of the Church of God, and advised the pastor to either cancel the worship service or reschedule it. Following police advice, the Sunday service was preponed from its usual time to 7 am to 9 am.
The mob arrived around 11:30 am, after the service had concluded. Police personnel at the site prevented the group from entering the main church sanctuary. However, the mob damaged, uprooted and threw away the official signboard of the church.
Pastor Sahu was called to Korar Police Station for inquiry. Police have been questioning church authorities about the land ownership. The church land belongs to a tribal man who was formerly a pastor at the church. He gave the land of his own free will and has agreed to let the church remain there, though the land continues to be registered in his name.
The PCA urged the police administration to take prompt legal action against the perpetrators and demanded security and protection for the church property, congregation and leadership. The organisation described the incident as a “targeted act of harassment and vandalism against a peaceful Christian place of worship” and a “violation of constitutional rights and religious freedom guaranteed to every citizen of India”.
No arrests had been reported so far, and police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the investigation.
Rising tensions in Kanker district
This latest incident is part of escalating tensions against Christians in Kanker district this year. According to International Christian Concern, more than 400 people from 22 villages gathered on October 5 and decided to strip Christians of their burial rights and deny believers access to burial land.
At least 12 villages in Kanker district have passed gram sabha resolutions prohibiting the entry of Christian pastors, priests and missionaries. Villages including Kudal, Junwani, Charbhatha, Nawadabari and Sarona have erected warning boards at village boundaries.
Several villages in the district have witnessed public reconversion ceremonies where Christian families have been pressured to return to Hinduism.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced on August 3 that the government plans to strengthen the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968.
On August 10, a Hindu mob assaulted 36 members of eight Christian families in Havachur village as they returned from Sunday prayers. Attackers went door-to-door, beating people with sticks. Several victims required hospitalisation, including a woman whose sari was allegedly torn.
The following day, protesters presented an 11-point memorandum demanding government action against Christians, including removal of alleged “illegal churches” and denial of burial grounds.
Earlier incidents include an attack by over 200 people on 18 Christian families in Iradaha village in August 2024, and the burning of houses of 28 Christians in Katholi village in April 2016 after they refused to reconvert to Hinduism.
The Evangelical Fellowship of India documented 150 incidents of violence and discrimination against Christians in Chhattisgarh in 2024, making it the second most hostile state for Christians in India after Uttar Pradesh.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as information becomes available.
