A horrifying incident of religious violence has come to light in Parjang village, Dhenkanal district, Odisha. A mob of around 40 people attacked local pastor Bipin Bihari Naik, forcing him to eat cow dung and chant ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
The pastor, along with his family and a few other Christian families, was attending a prayer gathering when the mob stormed their house. Pastor Naik tried to stay indoors until the prayers concluded, but the mob broke into the house and attacked everyone inside. His wife, Vandana Naik, escaped with their children through a narrow path and reached the police station.
The mob dragged the pastor outside, beat him with sticks, smeared his face with sindoor (vermilion), and made him wear a garland of slippers while parading him through the village. Later, they tied him at the village Hanuman temple and forcibly made him eat cow dung and chant ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
Despite being informed, the police took nearly two hours to arrive at the scene. A social worker said that Pastor Naik was kept at the police station for an hour without any medical assistance. Initially, the police refused to file a complaint, citing allegations of religious conversion against the pastor. Eventually, the complaint was registered, but a counter FIR was also filed against him.
Only seven Christian families live in Parjang village, and they are now hiding in safe locations due to threats. The mob also threatened to burn their homes and harm their families.
Experts say that religious violence increases distrust and tension in society and weakens democratic values. In recent years, incidents of violence and persecution against minorities have risen in Odisha.
