Fear in Odisha Pastor’s Family After Communal Attack — ‘Is It a Sin to Practice One’s Own Faith?’
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of fear through a Christian family in Odisha, pastor Bipin Bihari Naik was allegedly assaulted by a mob in Kandarsinga village, Dhenkanal district, on January 4, 2026. The attack, described as a brutal violation of human dignity, has prompted Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to condemn it as a grave infringement of constitutional rights, highlighting the broader concerns over rising communal tensions in the region.
Details of the Assault and Its Aftermath
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed based on a complaint by Naik’s wife, a mob of 15–20 individuals arrived on motorcycles, armed with bamboo sticks. They forcibly entered a residence where Naik was offering prayers for a villager’s health and subjected him to a vicious attack. The FIR details that Naik was beaten with bamboo sticks, fists, and kicks, without any provocation or lawful authority. In a further act of humiliation, he was garlanded with footwear, paraded on the streets, forced to drink drain water, and compelled to bow before a temple against his will.
Since the incident, Naik has been living in dread, unable to return to the village where he resided for eight years. His elder brother, Udaynath James, expressed the family’s anguish, questioning, “Is it a sin to practice one’s own faith? Isn’t it a fundamental right in our country?” The family’s distress was compounded when their landlord, after eight years of tenancy without issue, asked them to vacate their home within a week, forcing them to relocate to Naik’s native village of Khamar in Angul district.
Police Response and Allegations of Inaction
The family claims that local police initially failed to act promptly. Naik’s wife approached the Parjang Police Station within 30 minutes of the attack, but the FIR was registered only after intervention from the Dhenkanal Superintendent of Police, Abhinav Sonkar. The complaint alleges that despite the seriousness of the offence, police refused immediate action and reached the spot hours later, by which time Naik had endured severe physical and mental trauma.
In response, SP Sonkar stated that an explanation has been sought from the inspector-in-charge of Parjang Police Station, and nine individuals have been detained. “Steps will be taken accordingly,” he assured, though the family blames “the rise of a certain ecosystem backed by people in power” for such attacks, rejecting baseless allegations of forcible conversions as attempts to dilute the case.
Broader Context of Communal Tensions in Odisha
This incident is not isolated, reflecting a worrying trend of communalisation in Odisha. Over the past 19 months, at least six towns in the state have witnessed curfews and Internet suspensions following similar communal incidents, often linked to right-wing outfits. The attack on Naik adds to this pattern, raising questions about the safety of religious minorities and the enforcement of law and order.
National Outrage and Political Condemnation
The assault has triggered nationwide outrage, with chief ministers from multiple states voicing their condemnation. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a post on X, linked the incident to a broader atmosphere of violence fostered by the Sangh Parivar, recalling the Graham Staines case from 27 years ago. He emphasized that such acts undermine India’s secular fabric and constitutional democracy.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma echoed these sentiments, stating, “The repeated attacks on Christians taints the diverse culture and religious fabric of our nation.” He urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take swift action against those responsible. Additionally, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking urgent intervention and prosecution of all involved parties.
As the family grapples with fear and displacement, this case underscores the urgent need for robust legal protections and communal harmony in India’s diverse society.
