Malkangiri, Odisha: A shocking incident of anti-Christian violence unfolded in Kotamateru village of Odisha’s Malkangiri district on June 21, where a mob of 300-400 individuals allegedly affiliated with Hindutva groups stormed a local church and violently attacked Protestant Christians during a prayer meeting. The assault left at least seven people seriously injured and more than 20 others wounded, reported the Maktoob Media.
The gathering, a routine blessing ceremony ahead of the agricultural season, turned into a scene of terror as the attackers—armed with axes and other weapons—unleashed violence on worshippers without any provocation. Villagers claimed they had been receiving threats in the days leading up to the incident.
Due to the village’s remote location and poor mobile network, locals were unable to alert authorities immediately. Help only arrived when a local managed to contact a pastor outside the village, who in turn informed the police. The severely injured were rushed to Malkangiri district hospital, while others sought refuge in a nearby church.
An FIR was registered on June 23, but as of June 28, no arrests have been made. Christian leaders have held the Bajrang Dal responsible, accusing the group of orchestrating the attack as part of a larger pattern of religious persecution. They argue the attack reflects growing intolerance and impunity since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state.
Civil society groups including the Malkangiri Pastors Fellowship and Malkangiri District Christian Mancha have submitted petitions to the Superintendent of Police demanding immediate arrests and strict action against those responsible. However, police officials have only assured that arrests will follow after reviewing medical reports. They have also proposed a “peace meeting” between communities.
Fr. Ajay Kumar Singh, a human rights advocate from Kandhamal, strongly condemned the assault. “This is part of a nationwide trend targeting religious minorities,” he said. “Despite serious injuries and multiple delegations meeting the police, no action has been taken. This silence emboldens the attackers.”
Political silence on the matter has drawn sharp criticism. “We are no longer seen as citizens with constitutional rights but as mere vote banks,” Singh added.
Dr. Pallab Lima, the state general secretary of the Rashtriya Christian Morcha, said tensions in the area had been escalating for months, fueled by right-wing pressure campaigns to force religious conversions. “Christians, including those born into the faith, have resisted these pressures, which has led to such violent consequences,” he said.
In a protest held on Sunday outside the SP office in Malkangiri, survivors, human rights defenders, and Christian groups demanded justice, compensation, police accountability, and the establishment of a permanent police post in Kotamateru and similar vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal has denied any role in the incident. Its local leader, Sibapadha Mirdha, termed the attack a “spontaneous reaction to forced conversions,” a claim dismissed by Christian groups as a baseless excuse for targeted hate. Just weeks earlier, Bajrang Dal members had forcibly removed a Catholic nun from a train on similar accusations, which were later found to be unfounded by the police.
Despite the State Human Rights Commission advising the government to take action, police remain inactive, five days after the brutal assault.
