8 months ago
Anti-Christian Violence Resurfaces in Odisha
On January 4, 2024, a pastor named Bipin Naik was attacked by a Hindutva mob during a prayer meeting in Odisha, India.
The mob tied him up, beat him, and force-fed him cow dung.
This attack is part of a continuing pattern of violence against Christian communities in Odisha, which are largely composed of Dalits and Adivasis.
In the last year, there were about 87 attacks against Christians, but the police only registered cases for 15 of them and took action in only a few.
Activists say that Hindutva groups have been emboldened by the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.
They also say that the anti-conversion law is often misused to legitimize violence against Christians.
The police response to these incidents has been criticized as inadequate or delayed.
Political scientists argue that the violence is a strategy to divert attention from the government's failures and to entrench anti-minority sentiment.
Despite the fact that almost 94% of Odisha's population is Hindu, there is a climate of fear and vulnerability among the Christian minority.
On January 4, 2024, Pastor Bipin Naik was attacked by a Hindutva mob during a prayer meeting in Parjang village, Dhenkanal district, Odisha.
The attack is part of a continuing pattern of anti-Christian violence in Odisha, with 87 documented attacks in the last year.
Only 15 cases were registered by the police, and action was taken in only 3 or 4 of them.
Activists argue that Hindutva groups have been emboldened by the rise of the BJP in Odisha and that the anti-conversion law is often misused to legitimize violence.
Political scientists argue that the violence is a strategy to divert attention from the government's failures and to entrench anti-minority sentiment.
- Who
- Pastor Bipin Naik and Christian communities in Odisha
- What
- An attack on Pastor Bipin Naik during a prayer meeting and a pattern of anti-Christian violence
- Where
- Parjang village, Dhenkanal district, Odisha, India
- When
- January 4, 2024, with a history of similar incidents
- Why
- Due to anti-Christian sentiment and the rise of Hindutva groups, exacerbated by the BJP's rise to power in Odisha
Hindutva Groups
Christian Communities and Activists
Anti-Conversion Law
Hindutva Groups
Hindutva groups frequently invoke the anti-conversion law to monitor and attack prayer meetings, using allegations of forced conversions to legitimize violence.
Christian Communities and Activists
Christian communities and activists argue that the anti-conversion law is misused to silence victims and perpetuate a climate of fear and vulnerability.
Police Response
Hindutva Groups
Hindutva groups claim that the police are often helpless and that the violence is a response to perceived threats of conversion.
Christian Communities and Activists
Activists and Christian communities criticize the police for inadequate or delayed responses, and for often detaining victims instead of perpetrators.
Government's Role
Hindutva Groups
Hindutva groups and the BJP government argue that the anti-Christian violence is a response to the rise of the party and the need to protect Hindu culture.
Christian Communities and Activists
Activists and political scientists argue that the violence is a strategy to divert attention from the government's failures and to entrench anti-minority sentiment.
Key facts
- Date of Attack
- January 4, 2024
- Location of Attack
- Parjang village, Dhenkanal district, Odisha
- Victim
- Pastor Bipin Naik
- Number of Detainees
- Nine
- Documented Attacks in 2023
- 87
- Cases Registered in 2023
- 15
- Action Taken in 2023
- 3 or 4
- Percentage of Hindu Population in Odisha
- 94%
- Percentage of Christian Population in Odisha
- 2%
Quotes
Bijay Bohidar
Political scientist
“There is no reason why they should feel insecure. Virtually speaking, the state is already a Hindu rashtra.”
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“They have a lot to distract the public from, like growing unemployment, the gradual transfer of resources from people to corporations, the complete collapse of the educational system and perpetuation of inequality in an intergenerational manner.”
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Minority rights activist
An activist who requested anonymity for fear of retribution
“This has contributed to a climate of fear and vulnerability among Christian communities.”
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“In many of these cases, the police response has been inadequate or delayed.”
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Bishop Pallab Lima
State general secretary of the Rashtriya Christian Morcha
“In the last fiscal year, the Rashtriya Christian Morcha documented about 87 attacks against Christians.”
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Sources
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