As attacks against the Christian community have increased across the country, a pastor from Odisha’s Dhenkanal district was brutally assaulted, forced to chant Jai Sree Ram, and made to eat cow dung by members of the Bajrang Dal.
The incident, which took place on January 4 (Sunday), came to light recently. Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik, along with his wife and a few others, was attending a prayer meeting at a house in Parjang village when a mob of around 40 people gathered outside.
Speaking to Maktoob, Vandana, Naik’s wife, who was present at the prayer meeting, said the mob asked Naik to come outside the house. When he told them he would do so after the prayer was completed, the mob forcibly entered the house.
“They started beating everyone inside the house. Besides us, there were seven families who were praying with us. My children and I managed to run out of the house and rushed through a narrow alley towards the nearest police station,” Vandana said.
Bipin, who was the main target, was not spared. According to Naik, he was dragged outside and beaten on every part of his body. He was continuously slapped and beaten with sticks by the crowd. Red sindoor was smeared all over his face, and a garland of slippers was placed around his neck.
Along with Bajrang Dal members and some villagers, Naik was dragged and paraded throughout the village. This continued for nearly two hours.
Meanwhile, Vandana was at the police station, pleading with officers to rescue her husband. “It was only after nearly two hours that the police reached the village,” she said.
Vandana added that despite her repeated requests, the police initially misled her, claiming there was no one in the village. However, when she insisted on accompanying them to the location, what they witnessed was horrific.
“My husband was tied to a Hanuman temple in the village. Both his hands were tied behind a rod. He was forced to consume cow dung and was bleeding badly. People were slapping him and forcing him to chant Jai Sree Ram,” she said.
Despite police intervention, the mob did not immediately stop. Naik was eventually rescued and taken to the police station.
A social activist told Maktoob that Naik was made to sit at the police station for nearly an hour without any medical assistance.
“By the time I reached there, he was sitting there numbly. He was barefoot, and his face still had sindoor on it. He was in a horrible condition,” the activist said.
The incident occurred after the mob alleged that Naik was conducting forceful religious conversions, an accusation commonly raised in similar attacks.
The activist further alleged that the police attempted to dilute the matter and initially refused to register a complaint, citing counter-allegations of conversion made by the village sarpanch.
Although a complaint was eventually filed after repeated insistence, Vandana said a counter FIR was also registered against them, accusing them of forceful conversion.
Parjang village, where the prayer meeting was held, is a Hindu-majority village with only seven Christian families. The pastor, who regularly travels for prayers, said he had never witnessed anything like this before.
“We are both deeply traumatised. Naik has not been able to sleep since the incident. He has been taking medicines and is feeling a little better now. He has also recovered from his injuries,” Vandana said.
The mob also threatened Naik, warning that they would burn his family and their house, which is located a few kilometres away from the village.
Despite the violence, Vandana said her husband did not give in. “I am so proud of him. He did not chant Jai Sree Ram, no matter how much they beat him,” she added.
The family is currently staying in a safe house along with other community members. The seven Christian families from Parjang village are in hiding after villagers and Bajrang Dal members threatened to burn down their homes.
“We spoke to them, and they are currently staying with relatives in different places. They have no support. The villagers have boycotted them and are threatening them,” Vandana said.
Odisha has witnessed a series of attacks against the Christian community in recent times, raising serious concerns among religious groups and civil society members.
The post Hindutva group assaults Odisha Pastor, forces him to Eat cow dung and chant ‘Jai Sree Ram’ appeared first on Maktoob media.
