A group of Christian worshippers in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district is living in fear after a mob allegedly disrupted their Sunday prayer service and threatened them with violence.
Members of the Christian Evangelical Assembly were gathered at the home of Pastor Jagannath Naik in Badabali Chua village on Feb. 22 when around 50 people reportedly stormed the house armed with sticks. The attackers allegedly ordered the group to stop praying to Jesus, claiming their worship angered local deities.
According to the pastor, his wife and an elderly woman were assaulted, and he was beaten when he tried to record the incident. He said he was forced to delete the video. Although the group contacted police through the emergency helpline, they claim no officers arrived.
The following day, alleged members of the mob reportedly warned Christians individually against continuing their worship. Bishop Pallab Lima of the United Believers Council Network India said the situation remains tense, with some families considering leaving the village.
Church leaders noted that Mayurbhanj is a sensitive region, recalling the 1999 killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in Odisha.
Data from the United Christian Forum recorded 40 incidents of harassment against Christians in Odisha in 2024. Christian leaders warn that even minor incidents in the region risk escalating into serious unrest.
