Raipur, Chhattisgarh | April 21, 2025: A church located in Raipur’s WRS Colony was vandalized on March 3, 2025, by a mob allegedly affiliated with Hindutva groups, including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The incident is part of a concerning increase in attacks on Christians in Chhattisgarh, where 150 such cases were recorded in 2024, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India.
Witnesses reported that the attackers, many of whom were young men in their 20s, arrived with hammers and shouted slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” as they demolished the church’s walls and windows. A saffron flag bearing the image of “angry Hanuman” was hoisted atop the damaged structure. Some of the youths later admitted their involvement, stating they acted under the guidance of a senior Bajrang Dal leader.
Residents, including women and children present during the attack, alleged that police officers accompanied the mob and permitted the demolition, citing unauthorized construction. The church, built on railway land, had recently begun adding an upper floor, which authorities deemed illegal.
Pastor Benu, who leads the congregation, expressed concerns over escalating threats from right-wing groups and the lack of police intervention. Despite complaints, no arrests have been made, and the saffron flag remains on the church.
The incident reflects a broader pattern of anti-Christian violence in the region. The Evangelical Fellowship of India reported a rise in such attacks, with 840 incidents nationwide in 2024, up from 601 in 2023. Chhattisgarh accounted for 150 of these cases, including assaults, church vandalism, and wrongful arrests under anti-conversion laws.
In response to these events, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced plans to introduce stricter anti-conversion legislation, intensifying concerns among religious minorities about their safety and freedom to practice their faith.
Sources: Maktoob Media, Evangelical Fellowship of India
