Kawardha, Chhattisgarh – A Kerala-origin Christian family, living in Chhattisgarh for the past 35 years, has gone into hiding after repeated threats and physical assaults allegedly carried out by members of right-wing groups Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). The family claims that instead of offering protection, local police sided with the attackers, reported the Maktoob Media.
Jose Thomas, a 56-year-old pastor, along with his wife Liji (46) and sons Joel (18) and Joseph (17), have been residents of Kawardha in Kabirdham district since moving from Kerala decades ago. Jose founded Holy Kingdom English Higher Secondary School, the first CBSE-affiliated English medium school in the district, in 1999. It currently serves 600 students.
According to Joshua Jose Thomas, the eldest son, tensions escalated due to their Christian identity and the school’s functioning. He alleges that local BJP leaders have long harassed the family, especially when the school reminded fee defaulters to make payments. “They threatened to shut down the school,” Joshua said.
On May 18, during a routine Sunday church service, a group of RSS and VHP members stormed into the premises, shouting “Jai Shree Ram” and accusing the family of forceful religious conversions. Joshua says his mother and teenage brothers were beaten, while young girls at the service hid in the bathroom — only to have the assailants break in and attack them too.
In a disturbing turn, Pastor Jose Thomas was arrested instead of the attackers. A false FIR was filed against him, the family alleges. “Even at the police station, threats continued. My father had faced similar false charges in 2010 and was jailed for 10 days, only to be acquitted later,” said Joshua.
Further complicating matters, the family received a threat from BJP district president Rajendra Chandravanshi on April 29, demanding the issuance of a Transfer Certificate (TC) for two students. The family says the demand was unreasonable as no formal request had been submitted and two years of fees were unpaid.
Joshua said local media outlets also collaborated with the attackers, demanding ₹1 lakh to avoid publishing a fabricated story accusing the family of conversions. When the ransom wasn’t paid, the defamatory report was circulated, leading to further threats and damage to their reputation.
Despite multiple pleas, the police have not registered the family’s complaint or offered them protection. Additional SP Pushpender Singh Baghel confirmed police visited after a complaint was received but claimed the “argument was resolved.”
Pastor Jose has shared his family’s ordeal in Hindi and Malayalam on YouTube and Instagram, urging support and justice.
The United Christian Forum (UCF) reported that incidents against Christians in India are rapidly rising, with 245 cases recorded in just the first four months of 2025. Chhattisgarh alone saw 46 such cases. The violence includes assault, social boycotts, damage to property, and intimidation — disproportionately affecting Christian tribals and women.
