Odisha Pastor Forced to Eat Cow Dung, Chant 'Jai Shri Ram' by Hindutva Group

In a shocking incident from Odisha's Dhenkanal district, Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik was brutally attacked, forced to eat cow dung, and coerced into chanting "Jai Shri Ram" by a Hindutva group, reportedly the Bajrang Dal. The attack occurred on January 4, 2026, when Naik was hosting a prayer meeting at his residence in Parjang village, a predominantly Hindu village with only seven Christian families.

The Attack

A mob of around 40 people gathered outside Naik’s home and forcibly entered, accusing him of conducting forced religious conversions. The group began beating everyone inside, including Naik’s family and other attendees of the prayer meeting. According to Naik’s wife, Vandana, she and their children managed to escape the house and rushed towards the nearest police station.

Vandana described the violence in graphic detail, stating, "They started beating everyone inside the house. Besides us, there were seven families who were praying with us. My children and I managed to run out of the house and rushed through a narrow alley towards the nearest police station."

Brutal Torture

Pastor Naik, recounting the ordeal, said he was beaten with sticks and had red sindoor smeared on his face. In an act of humiliation, he was forced to wear a garland of slippers and paraded around the village. Despite the severity of the attack, Naik was then tied to a Hanuman temple in the village, where he was further tortured. Vandana claimed that he was forced to consume cow dung while being slapped and shouted at to chant "Jai Shri Ram."

“The police took a long time to respond despite repeated calls,” Vandana said. “My husband was tied to a rod at the Hanuman temple. His hands were tied, he was bleeding, and they forced him to chant Jai Shri Ram.”

Police Response

Despite the intervention of local police, the mob did not cease their assault immediately. Pastor Naik was eventually rescued and taken to the police station. However, according to a social activist, Naik was made to sit at the police station for nearly an hour without receiving any medical assistance, despite the severity of his injuries.

Accusations and Counter FIR

The incident has further been complicated by the filing of a counter FIR against Naik, accusing him of forced religious conversions. While the police have registered a complaint regarding the violence against Naik, they have not acted decisively on the allegations of forced conversion.

The Context

Parjang village, where the attack took place, has a Hindu-majority population, with only seven Christian families. The mob alleged that Pastor Naik was involved in conversions, a charge that has been denied by the local Christian community. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between religious communities in India, particularly concerning conversions and religious freedom.

Rising Tensions

This attack comes amid rising concerns over religious intolerance and violence in parts of India. Religious minorities, particularly Christians, have reported an increase in attacks and discrimination, raising alarms among human rights groups and activists. The authorities' delayed response and the counter-accusations against Pastor Naik have only intensified calls for justice and accountability.

The incident is a stark reminder of the deepening religious divides and the challenges faced by religious minorities in certain regions of India, where religious freedom is often contested.