On June 21, a violent mob of Hindu nationalists attacked 20 Christian families in the Malkangiri district of southern Odisha while they were sharing a meal. Armed with sticks and sharp weapons, the attackers brutally beat the families—who came from three nearby villages—leaving eight individuals with serious injuries, including head trauma. Due to the remoteness of the region, news of the assault spread slowly. One victim managed to contact a local pastor, who quickly arranged for transportation to get the injured to the district hospital. Despite a formal police complaint, no arrests have been made, prompting outrage from Christian advocacy groups.

A coalition of Christian organizations, including the Rashtriya Christian Morcha and Alliance Defending Freedom, visited the victims and pressed Malkangiri authorities for immediate action. Tensions in the area had reportedly been rising for months due to ongoing threats from right-wing Hindu activists demanding Christian villagers convert to Hinduism. The attack appears to be part of a broader effort, known locally as the “Sanskriti Bachao Abhiyan” or “Save the Culture Campaign,” aimed at religious conversion through intimidation. While police officials downplayed the attack as a family dispute, Christian leaders allege it was orchestrated by the Bajrang Dal, a nationalist group emboldened by the recent rise of the BJP in Odisha.

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SOURCE: International Christian Concern