New Delhi: A wave of condemnation has erupted across the country following a brutal police assault on two Catholic priests and several parishioners in Ganjam district of Odisha. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has denounced the incident as “unfortunate and unjustified,” calling for an immediate investigation and strict action against the responsible police personnel.
The attack reportedly occurred on March 22 at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Juba village, under the Berhampur diocese. The matter gained widespread attention after parish priest Father Joshi George shared his harrowing experience in an interview aired by Odia news outlet Samartha News, nearly ten days after the incident.
Father Robinson Rodrigues, spokesperson for the CBCI, expressed deep concern. “We condemn the attack. Such actions are unacceptable, especially by those meant to uphold law and order. We demand a fair probe and accountability,” he stated.
According to Father George, a police team led by officer Joshna Roy stormed the church premises without prior notice and began beating three young girls who were cleaning the church ahead of Sunday Mass. When he and his associate, Father Dayanand Nayak, tried to intervene, they were also assaulted.
The priests were reportedly dragged outside, publicly abused, and humiliated. Father Nayak, who hails from Odisha, sustained a fractured shoulder in the assault and had to be taken to Berhampur Medical College Hospital the following day. Notably, the incident occurred on his birthday.
In addition to physical violence, police officers allegedly looted ₹40,000 from Father George’s room, seized his mobile phone, and ransacked their private quarters. “We haven’t converted anyone. We only help the poor through education,” Father George clarified in his televised statement, rejecting allegations of forced conversions.
The background of the assault remains murky. Reports from Madhyama Syndicate indicate that the police were initially in Juba village the previous night on a raid against marijuana cultivation. However, villagers claimed the officers returned the next day and targeted the church without justification.
Efforts to file a formal complaint have reportedly been ignored by local authorities, leading to mounting frustration among Christian leaders and human rights activists.
The incident has raised serious concerns about religious freedom and police accountability in Odisha, a state governed by the BJP. “This incident has broken public trust. Law enforcement must protect, not persecute,” said Father Rodrigues.
The CBCI has called for government intervention and immediate legal steps to ensure justice and restore communal harmony.
