The clergy had travelled to the Gangadhar village, under the jurisdiction of the Jaleswar Parish in the Diocese of Balasore to conduct a requiem Mass marking the second death anniversary of two local parishioners. As of Friday evening, no formal FIR had been registered.
Published Aug 08, 2025 | 6:39 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 08, 2025 | 6:39 PM
a group of nearly 70 Bajrang Dal members allegedly attacked two Malayali Catholic priests, two nuns, and a catechist in Odisha's Jaleswar region.
Synopsis: Nearly 70 Bajrang Dal activists allegedly assaulted a group of Keralite Catholic priests and nuns near Gangadhar village in Odisha’s Jaleswar region on 6 August, accusing them of forced religious conversions. The clergy were returning from a requiem Mass when their vehicle was intercepted, and they were subjected to physical violence, communal abuse, and theft of mobile phones. Despite the severity of the incident, no FIR has been registered thus far.
Nearly 70 members of the militant Hindutva outfit Bajrang Dal, allegedly assaulted a group of Keralite Catholic priests and nuns in Odisha’s Jaleswar region on the evening of 6 August.
The mob turned violent and attacked the priests and nuns
The incident occurred near Gangadhar village, under the jurisdiction of the Jaleswar Parish in the Diocese of Balasore. The clergy had travelled to the area to conduct a requiem Mass marking the second death anniversary of two local parishioners.
The attackers accused the priests and nuns of engaging in religious conversions, a charge frequently levelled against Christian missionaries across various parts of India, often without evidence.
As of Friday evening, no formal FIR had been registered. Church officials said they are awaiting the arrival of Bishop Varghese Thottamkara, who is expected to assess the situation on the ground.
Notably, the assault comes less than two weeks after the arrest of two Catholic nuns from Kerala, Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis, in Chhattisgarh on allegations of human trafficking and forced conversion.
The attack has unsettled Christian communities in the state, highlighting the growing vulnerability of religious minorities in the region.
The survivors, Fr Lijo Nirappel (Parish Priest of Jaleswar), Fr V Jojo (from Joda Parish), a catechist, and two nuns, reached the mission station by late afternoon. After the villagers returned from their agricultural work, the prayer service and a simple community meal proceeded peacefully around 6 pm.
However, while returning around 9 pm, their vehicle was intercepted on a narrow road flanked by forested terrain, just half a kilometre from the village. The catechist, who was travelling separately on a motorcycle, was reportedly the first to be attacked. He was beaten severely, and his vehicle was damaged and left unusable.
The priests’ vehicle was then stopped and surrounded by the mob. The group allegedly subjected the clergy to physical violence, verbal abuse, and communal slurs.
Even after locals intervened, the attack continued.
Their mobile phones were reportedly seized, and they were falsely accused of religious conversion activities. One of the attackers allegedly recorded the assault.
Despite efforts by local villagers, including women, to explain the non-political and religious nature of the visit, the mob refused to disperse. The situation remained tense even after the arrival of a small police team. Eventually, the police escorted the priests and nuns away under the pretext of conducting an official inquiry, although the move functioned more as a rescue.
The victims, particularly Fr Lijo and Fr Jojo, were left shaken and disheartened. The inaction by police, the lack of arrests, and the failure to retrieve the stolen mobile phones have added to the community’s sense of fear and injustice.
Speaking to South First, former Balasore bishop Thomas Thiruthalil said that the priests are working in small villages with fewer than 25 families.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has strongly condemned the violent assault.
In a statement issued on Friday, CBCI President Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath expressed grave concern over the rising number of attacks on Christians under the guise of enforcing the Prohibition of Conversion Act. He said such incidents were fostering an atmosphere of fear among Christian communities across several states.
Archbishop Thazhath urged both the central and state governments to uphold constitutional rights, including religious freedom and protections for minorities.
“Extremism exists in all religions, but the targeted attacks on Christians reflect a disturbing rise in intolerance,” he said.
He also dismissed allegations of forced conversions, noting that the Christian population has declined, from 2.6 percent at Independence to a smaller share today, and reiterated that the community opposes any form of coercive conversion.
The Syro-Malabar Church also issued a strong condemnation, stating that Christians are increasingly under threat in BJP-ruled states due to the unchecked rise of Hindutva extremism. The Church called on the Union government to uphold secular values and ensure justice.
Political leaders including KPCC General Secretary KC Venugopal and MPs Jose K Mani and Kodikunnil Suresh also criticised the BJP, alleging that such attacks are part of a broader agenda to saffronise the nation.
KPCC President and MLA Sunny Joseph accused the BJP of complicity through silence and inaction.
Referring to violent incidents in Odisha and Chhattisgarh involving Bajrang Dal activists, he alleged that police remained passive as minorities were targeted, describing it as part of a wider pattern of anti-Christian violence.
Joseph criticised the BJP’s outreach to minorities in Kerala as “hypocritical”, saying, “That’s why they enter Christian homes with cakes, without any guilt.”
He warned that such incidents pose a serious threat to India’s secular fabric and constitutional freedoms.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
