Mob Attack on Christian Clergy in Chhattisgarh Sparks Outrage

Jaleswar, Chhattisgarh – August 9, 2025

A violent attack on two Catholic priests, a catechist, and two nuns near Gangadhar village in Chhattisgarh’s Jaleswar Parish has ignited widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over rising religious intolerance in the state. The assault, allegedly perpetrated by approximately 70 members of the Hindu nationalist group Bajrang Dal on August 6, 2025, targeted the clergy who were attending a memorial service at the invitation of local villagers. The attackers falsely accused the group of engaging in religious conversions, a charge frequently leveled against Christian missionaries in India, often without evidence.

According to eyewitness accounts, the mob ambushed the clergy, blocking their vehicle and subjecting them to physical assault. One priest was brutally beaten, his clothes torn, and his phone confiscated, while local residents present at the scene were also attacked. Video footage circulating on social media platforms shows the chaotic scene, with the clergy being confronted by the aggressive crowd. No formal First Information Report (FIR) had been registered by the evening of August 7, prompting criticism of local authorities for their inaction.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) issued a strong statement condemning the attack. Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, CBCI President, called for immediate action from both the Chhattisgarh and central governments, stating, “This is not just an attack on a few individuals—it is an attack on our values, our mission, and our identity.” The Syro-Malabar Church echoed these sentiments, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of anti-Christian violence in BJP-ruled states, fueled by unchecked Hindutva extremism.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another controversy in Chhattisgarh, where two Catholic nuns from Kerala, Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary, were arrested on July 25, 2025, at Durg Railway Station. The nuns, accused of human trafficking and forced conversion, were released on bail by a special NIA court in Bilaspur after the charges were disproved. The arrests sparked protests, including a silent march by over 400 Christians in Belagavi on August 1, demanding justice and protection for religious minorities.

Chhattisgarh has emerged as a hotspot for anti-Christian violence, with the United Christian Forum (UCF) reporting 165 incidents in 2024, second only to Uttar Pradesh. The state, governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has seen a surge in attacks since the party’s rise to power in November 2023. Rights groups, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), have accused local police of complicity, often failing to register complaints or protect victims. A UCF report noted that 47 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded in Chhattisgarh in the first half of 2024 alone, including assaults, church vandalism, and denial of burial rights.

Political leaders have also weighed in. Congress MP KC Venugopal raised the issue in Parliament, accusing the BJP of tacitly supporting such hate crimes. “The attacks on minorities in Chhattisgarh and other BJP-ruled states point to a disturbing trend of state-sponsored harassment,” he said. Meanwhile, a controversial cartoon posted by the BJP Chhattisgarh’s official social media handle, depicting nuns in a derogatory manner, was deleted amid backlash but further fueled accusations of the party’s anti-Christian rhetoric.

The violence in Chhattisgarh reflects a broader escalation of attacks on Christians across India, with the UCF documenting 834 incidents in 2024, a significant rise from 734 in 2023. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom designated India as a “Country of Particular Concern” in March 2025, citing systemic targeting of religious minorities. Human rights lawyer Tehmina Arora, speaking at a recent conference, highlighted how anti-conversion laws are weaponized to intimidate Christian communities, particularly among Dalits and Adivasis.

As Bishop Varghese Thottamkara assesses the situation in Jaleswar, church leaders and activists are calling for stronger enforcement of constitutional protections for religious freedom. The Christian community, which constitutes less than 2% of Chhattisgarh’s 30 million population, continues to face social ostracization, economic boycotts, and threats of forced reconversion to Hinduism, often under the guise of “ghar wapsi” (homecoming) campaigns by Hindu nationalist groups.

The incident has drawn attention to the urgent need for dialogue and action to address communal tensions in Chhattisgarh. As protests grow and calls for justice intensify, the nation watches to see how authorities will respond to this latest assault on religious harmony.