NEW DELHI: A Christian pastor in eastern India was assaulted and publicly humiliated after being accused of forced religious conversion, an incident that has sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation from political and religious leaders.
The attack took place on 4 January in Parjang village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district but gained wider attention only in recent days after images circulated on social media.
A mob of around 40 people, allegedly affiliated with the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist group, disrupted a prayer meeting and accused Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik of converting Hindus to Christianity.
The account was reported by International Christian Concern, a Washington, D.C.-based non-partisan human rights organisation that supports persecuted Christians and religious minorities worldwide.
Hindu slogans
According to reports, Naik was dragged from the house, beaten with sticks, and paraded through the village for nearly two hours. His face was smeared with vermilion, sandals were hung around his neck, and he was later taken to a local temple where he was tied to a metal rod and forced to eat cow dung and drink sewer water. He was also pressured to chant Hindu slogans, which he refused.
Naik’s wife, Vandana, said police intervention came only after a significant delay and initially failed to stop the assault. Authorities have detained nine suspects, though a counter-complaint has also been filed against the pastor.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, state officials, and Christian organisations, who described it as a grave violation of human dignity and constitutional rights. Naik and his family have since been moved to a secure location for their safety.
