The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on Friday expressed “deep anguish” and strongly condemned a mob attack on Catholic priests and a catechist in Odisha’s Balasore district.
The CBCI described the incident, which allegedly occurred on Wednesday evening, as part of a larger trend of violence against Christian minorities in India, citing a “growing climate of intolerance.”
According to the CBCI, Father Lijo, the parish priest of Saint Thomas Church, was returning to the parish after celebrating mass at a Catholic home in the nearby Gangadhar village in the Basta area. He was accompanied by another priest, two nuns, and a catechist.
They were allegedly stopped, abused, and manhandled by a mob of about 70 people who accused them of religious conversion.
While local women reportedly rescued the nuns, Father Lijo’s mobile phone was forcibly taken and not returned, and the catechist, Durjyodhan, was severely beaten and his motorcycle was damaged by the mob, the CBCI said, calling this a “blatant violation” of constitutional rights and dignity of minorities.
The Bishop’s body has meanwhile urged the Odisha government to take “swift and decisive action” against the perpetrators and to ensure the protection of minority communities.
“We further urge the authorities to safeguard the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, so that every citizen may live and practice their faith without fear,” the statement said.
The CBCI added that it will continue to monitor the situation and will stand firm in its commitment to defend the rights, dignity, and safety of all citizens, especially the Christian community.
On the other hand, Odisha Police stated that they rescued the nuns and priests after locals stopped their vehicles on suspicion of forced conversion.
“We rescued them from the group, which suspected them of carrying out forceful religious conversion. The nuns and priests were not harmed in any manner,” said Basta Police Station inspector-in-charge Ranjit Sahu.
On action any action taken against the person who stopped them while returning, Sahu claimed that the clergy were not harmed and that no formal complaint in this regard has been filed yet.
He added that the locals released them after they were convinced that the group – the nuns and priests – was there to attend the death anniversary of a man in the village.
In a related development, Congress leader and Member of Parliament, Hibi Eden, gave notice of an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha today to discuss the alleged attack on the group by around 70 Bajrang Dal members in Odisha.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary General of Lok Sabha, MP Eden wrote, “I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the House… To discuss the recent brazen attack on two Catholic priests, a catechist, and two nuns by around 70 Bajrang Dal members in Jaleswar, Odisha.”
The Congress leader alleged that the attackers falsely accused the church members of religious conversion and assaulted them. He called the incident ‘communal abuse’ and wrote, “The attackers falsely accused them of religious conversions and subjected them to physical assault and communal abuse. Given the gravity of the incident and its implications for communal harmony, I request the House to adjourn its business to discuss this matter.”
He also highlighted the key points for discussion in his letter which included condemnation of the violent attack and assurance of justice to the victims, measures to ensure the safety and security of minority communities and religious personnel, and action against the perpetrators and accountability for the attack.
