At least eight Protestant Christians were injured after a mob of Hindu nationalists allegedly attacked them in Kotamateru village of Odisha’s Malkangiri district while they were returning from church, Christian leaders said on Sunday. The injured are receiving treatment at a district hospital, according to police.
Christian community leaders accused members of the Hindu nationalist group Bajrang Dal of carrying out the attack, claiming it followed months of pressure on local Christians to convert to Hinduism. Odisha has a history of anti-Christian violence, and religious minority groups say incidents of harassment have increased in recent years.
Police have registered a complaint and said they are investigating the incident, though officials initially downplayed the violence, describing it as a dispute that escalated into clashes. The Bajrang Dal denied involvement in the attack.
Local Christians staged a peaceful protest demanding security and justice, while community leaders reported fear among villagers, many of whom are reluctant to return home after the incident.
