Pastor, pregnant wife among dozens of Christians injured in mob attack in Chhattisgarh
Raipur: Amid growing concerns over violence against religious minorities in India, more than two dozen Christians, including a pastor and his pregnant wife, were injured after a Hindu mob attacked a prayer gathering in the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the attack took place in the state’s Sukma district, where about 70 Christians had gathered in Sadrapal village for a regular worship service.
Christian community representatives said a group of local non-Christian tribal residents stormed the gathering, disrupted prayer meeting and assaulted worshippers, triggering panic among those present.
The service was being led by Pastor Hunga Mandavi, a local Christian leader who was among those injured in the attack. Witnesses said multiple worshippers were beaten, while community members expressed particular concern about injuries suffered by the pastor’s pregnant wife.
Christian organizations said that between 25 and 30 people sustained injuries, with at least five suffering serious wounds requiring advanced medical treatment. While some of the victims were treated at local health facilities, others were shifted to district hospitals for further care.
Christian leaders said the incident reflects a growing pattern of hostility towards Christian religious activities in India, where pastors, churches and worship gatherings face opposition and attacks from Hindu extremist groups and vigilante elements.
Pastor Simon Digbal Tandi, coordinator of the Progressive Christian Alliance — a network of pastors, church leaders and social workers — said attacks against Christians have become increasingly common in Chhattisgarh. “Almost every other day, we hear of such incidents in the state,” he said, warning that repeated violence risks deepening communal tensions.
Community leaders and rights advocates have called for an impartial investigation into the latest attack, protection for victims and witnesses, and stronger measures to prevent future such incidents.
