Concerns of Imminent Violence in Odisha

Concerns of Imminent Violence in Odisha

A burned out church still shows a cross on the front wall.
The remains of a church building
after the attacks in 2008.
Photo: All India Christian Council (cc)

Recent reports from reliable sources indicate that Hindu leaders in the state of Odisha are preparing a list of Christian leaders to be attacked during the days to come. Christian leaders have spoken with governing authorities who intend to provide protection. However, the situation is further compounded by the fact that the state is governed by the Hindu nationalist BJP (political party), and the planned attacks coincide with a sensitive time in Hindu/Christian relations.

On August 23rd, 2008, a prominent Hindu leader named Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was assassinated (learn more). Though evidence revealed that Maoist rebels were responsible for the incident, several Hindu militant groups pointed the blame at the Christians. As a result, major riots erupted in the Kandhamal district of Odisha State. In the violence that ensued, hundreds of churches – along with thousands of homes and other buildings – were destroyed. More than 90 people, the majority of whom had been Christians, were killed in the rampage, and thousands were injured and/or displaced.

Despite a confession from a senior Maoist leader who claimed responsibility for the assassination, suspicions against the country's Christians remain to this day. This year, Hindu leaders are making several demands to honour the slain swami. Along with those demands, the Hindu festival of Janmashtami will be observed on August 25th and 26th in the village of Jalespata where he was murdered.

With hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees planning to gather in Kandhamal to honour the life of Saraswati (whose murder case was recently reopened), along with threats against Christian leaders in the area, the possibility of violence is significant. While protection will be given to local Christians "as far as possible," the District Magistrate also warns of the many factors that could lead to a riot.

Please prayerfully uphold the Christians of Kandhamal as they face this potentially volatile situation, asking our Heavenly Father to provide His divine protection to every believer living in this region. Pray that the necessary steps will be taken by the police to prevent any violence from taking place during the upcoming celebration, and that the evidence revealing the true assassins of the 2008 murder will be acknowledged by the Hindu population. May Hindu leaders not only observe this holiday peacefully, but may they also extend the same privilege to the country's Christians who likewise want to practise their faith in peace and freedom.

India Information

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

    Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

    Religion (%)
    Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

    Leader
    President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for India

    Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.

India News

  • Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws
    The India Supreme Court building is surrounded by trees.
    The Supreme Court of India.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (cc)

    The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by several of the country's states. On September 16th, the court issued notices to the respective state governments, requesting their formal responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard in six weeks, and the judges have indicated that they may consider ordering the states to pause the enforcement of their existing laws until a decision is made.

  • New Policies Further Restrict Religious Freedom
    A brightly lit church building is filled with people.
    A church in India.
    Photo: Flickr / Ashish Kumar Milap (cc)

    Recent developments in two Indian states have raised serious concerns for Christians, particularly in relation to the newly heightened restrictions on religious conversions. In the first incident, police in Chhattisgarh notified more than 200 house churches around the state capital city of Raipur that worship gatherings within private homes are no longer permitted.

  • Pastors Arrested and Assaulted
    A crowd is gathered around a church building.
    A screenshot of people disrupting the service in Bhilai.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    On July 20th, six pastors were arrested after a mob disrupted a church service in Bhilai, a city located within the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assailants chanted Hindu slogans and accused the pastors of engaging in forcible conversions. As the mob grew increasingly vocal, shouting obscenities and threatening violence, Pastor Baksh locked the church doors to protect his congregation members.