Mob Attacks Pentecostal Church in Eastern Indian Village

A mob of tribal Hindu villagers attacked and vandalized a Pentecostal church in eastern India’s Odisha state on March 5, according to reports from UCA News. The Elim Pentecostal Church in Rengalguda village, Koraput district, was forced open by the attackers, who broke the altar and furniture and dismantled the roof of the building. Abhi Harijan, a member of the congregation, described the incident as a result of a dispute that began on March 4 following an accident where his father burned straw from a harvested corn crop. The fire, believed to have been extinguished, spread to neighboring farmland, damaging crops.

Harijan said villagers called his family to a meeting and demanded 300,000 rupees (about US$3,600) as compensation for the damage. The family could not afford the amount but agreed to give 10,000 rupees. Harijan filed a police complaint on March 6, accusing 18 villagers of vandalizing the church. Limaraj Pradhan, officer at Bisingpur police station, confirmed the complaint and stated that 30 villagers who attended the meeting were warned against violence. Police are patrolling the area, but no arrests have been made so far.

Pastor Sujit Mohuria reported that about 30 people, including women and children, attended the Sunday service on March 8, held outdoors due to the damaged building. Four police constables were present during the service. Christian leaders have expressed concern over the incident, noting it reflects a growing anti-Christian atmosphere in the state, where the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governs. Ismail Patro, general secretary of the National Christian Forum, stated the fire dispute was a pretext to intimidate Christians.

Bishop Pallab Lima of the United Believers Council Network of India attributed the attack to Hindu hardliners, who oppose the growth of churches, including Lutherans, Pentecostals, and independent congregations, in the Borigumma block of Koraput district. Odisha recorded 40 incidents of Christian persecution in 2024, including disruptions of prayer services and denial of access to religious practices. The attack highlights ongoing tensions between Christian communities and Hindu hardliners in the region.

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