Jaleswar: A peaceful pastoral visit turned violent on August 6 as two Catholic priests, two nuns, and a catechist were ambushed and assaulted by a 70-member mob allegedly belonging to the Bajrang Dal, near Gangadhar village under the Jaleswar Parish in Odisha’s Balasore district. The attack, reportedly triggered by unfounded allegations of religious conversion, has sent shockwaves through the Christian community.
The targeted group, led by Fr. Lijo Nirappel (Parish Priest of Jaleswar) and Fr. V. Jojo (of Joda Parish), had travelled to the village to celebrate a memorial Mass on the second death anniversary of two local Catholics. The service began around 6:00 p.m., following the return of villagers from the fields. A fellowship meal followed the prayer gathering.
However, while returning around 9 p.m., the group fell into a trap. Just half a kilometre from the village, in a remote forested section of the road, the mob attacked.
“They first ambushed our catechist who was riding a motorbike. He was beaten severely, his vehicle wrecked and its fuel emptied,” said Fr. Lijo. The attackers then surrounded the priests’ car, pulled them out, and assaulted them while shouting communal slogans and abusive language.
The mob snatched mobile phones and accused the clergy of forcing conversions. “They shouted that the BJD era was over, and with BJP in power, Christians would no longer be tolerated,” Fr. Lijo recalled. “They kept screaming that we were trying to make them Americans.”
Eyewitnesses, including local women who tried to intervene, confirmed the priests and nuns were invited guests and had conducted a prayer service not a conversion event. Despite this, the attackers continued their aggression. Shockingly, a camera crew had arrived with the mob, suggesting a pre-planned assault aimed at manufacturing a narrative.
“This was not a spontaneous protest it was an orchestrated attack,” said Fr. Lijo, who previously led the Balasore Social Service Society and now serves as the Jaleswar parish priest.
Police arrived nearly 45 minutes after the incident began. Even in their presence, the mob remained aggressive. While officers eventually escorted the clergy to safety, the stolen mobile phones were not recovered, and the attackers faced no immediate consequences.
As of now, no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed. The victims await the arrival of the Bishop of Balasore, Most Rev. Varghese Thottamkara, to determine the next course of action.
Fr. V. Jojo, visibly shaken, stated, “I never expected to face such hostility for performing a prayer service. It’s deeply disturbing.”
This incident is the latest in a growing list of attacks targeting Christians across India. Church leaders and rights advocates are urging urgent police action and a strong stand against rising religious intolerance. The community remains on edge, hoping justice will not be delayed or denied.