Raipur: In yet another incident targeting the Christian community, Bajrang Dal activists disrupted a Sunday prayer gathering at Kukurbeda in Raipur, assaulting the faithful and chanting slogans. The attack comes close on the heels of the recent assault on Malayali nuns, intensifying concerns over rising religious hostility in Chhattisgarh.
According to the pastor leading the prayer meet, the group barged into the house where believers had assembled, accused them of engaging in religious conversion, and began manhandling worshippers. Eyewitnesses reported that the mob chanted “Jai Shri Ram” and recited the Hanuman Chalisa, further inflaming tensions. The pastor himself was assaulted in the chaos.
Police arrived at the scene but were unable to control the situation immediately, as the Bajrang Dal activists continued to create a commotion in their presence. Authorities later deployed additional forces to the area to prevent further escalation.
Christian leaders allege that such targeted disruptions have become routine across the state, with Bajrang Dal and allied groups raiding homes and churches during prayer services. They further claim that instead of prosecuting the attackers, police often book pastors under anti-conversion charges.
The recurring nature of these incidents has left the Christian community in Chhattisgarh in a state of constant anxiety, with fears mounting over the erosion of their right to worship freely.