by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
NEW DELHI (Worthy News) – An injured Christian pastor in eastern India says recalling Bible verses gave him strength to survive hours of brutal abuse by a Hindu mob that accused him of converting Hindus to Christianity.
A photo shared with Worthy News on Thursday showed Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik being paraded through the streets of Kandarsinga village in India’s eastern Odisha state. His sandals were draped around his neck as an angry crowd surrounded and followed him, according to the image.
The attack occurred on January 4, when Pastor Bipin had gathered with other believers for prayer at a private home in Kandarsinga, several sources confirmed. Witnesses said a group of men stormed the house, dragged the pastor outside, and began beating him. When his wife attempted to intervene, she was reportedly threatened with similar abuse.
The attackers accused the church leader of carrying out religious conversions among local Hindus and subjected him to more than two hours of physical abuse.
Additionally, he was forced to walk barefoot on thorns while being beaten and paraded through the village, confirmed advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), which closely followed the case.
HUMILIATION AND RELIGIOUS COERCION
The mob eventually took Pastor Bipin to a local Hindu temple, where his head was shaved, his hands were bound, and he was forced to drink drain water mixed with cow dung, the advocacy group said.
While cow dung holds religious significance for many Hindus, forced consumption is widely used as a form of humiliation, the group stressed. The assailants also allegedly attempted to coerce the abused Christian into reciting Hindu chants while forcing him to bow before a Hindu idol.
In remarks shared with Worthy News, Pastor Bipin said he feared he would not survive the assault but found strength by recalling verses from the Bible until authorities arrived and took him to a police station.
Sources said police initially refused to register a complaint but later filed a case against the attackers, who are believed to be linked to a militant Hindu nationalist group.
However, a counter-complaint was also reportedly filed against the pastor, accusing him of participating in “forced religious conversions”—an allegation Christian groups deny.
FAMILY FORCED TO FLEE AFTER ATTACK
Following the attack, Pastor Bipin and his family faced further hardship, VOMC told Worthy News.
Their landlord of eight years allegedly asked them to vacate their home, forcing the family to temporarily return to the pastor’s native village of Khamar.
His elder brother, Udaynath James, told reporters, “I don’t think my brother will be able to gather the courage to visit Kandarsinga again.”
The case underscored broader concerns about the treatment of Christians in India, a predominantly Hindu nation of more than 1.4 billion people, Christian advocates said.
India ranks 12th on the World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, according to advocacy group Open Doors.
ALIENATION AND PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS
“The alienation and persecution of Christians in India continues to be intense,” Open Doors said in a recent assessment. “To religious nationalists, to be Indian is to be Hindu, and that leaves no place for Christianity. The result is systemic discrimination and violence, particularly against Christian converts.”
The group warned that social media is worsening the situation. “Accusations, disinformation, and attacks often go viral, perpetuating false narratives around Christianity. Evangelistic activities are extremely risky,” Open Doors noted.
Another tool increasingly used to target Christians and other religious minorities is anti-conversion legislation, which Open Doors said is now enacted in 12 Indian states and counting.
PRAYER MEETINGS UNDER PRESSURE
“In theory, the laws are meant to protect all religions, but the reality is very different, aided by the laws’ vague wording,” the group explained.
“Even a constitutionally approved activity—such as a prayer meeting—can lead to accusations, arrest, and interrogation. Even a false report is extremely dangerous, as it can lead to mob violence.”
With tensions rising, VOMC urged Christians worldwide to pray for “physical and emotional healing” for Pastor Bipin following the attack.
Believers were also encouraged to pray for his family and congregation, who witnessed the violence, that they may be freed from the horrific trauma of the assault and find strength in the Lord’s reassuring presence.
VOMC likewise urged supporters to intercede for the villagers of Kandarsinga, including those opposed to the Gospel, praying that they may encounter the love of Christ and ultimately turn to Him in faith.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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