A mob assaulted a pastor in India reportedly because some individuals in his church had converted to Christianity.
On Jan. 4 the mob of about 150 — consisting of Hindu extremists and vigilantes — invaded Bipin Bihari Naik’s house church in Parjang village in India’s Odisha state and assaulted him, Morning Star News reported.
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The attack — during which Naik was kicked, slapped, beaten with bamboo sticks and made to walk on thorns — left him with numerous injuries and damaged hearing, he told the news outlet.
Mob members marched Naik to a Hindu temple and made him bow before a deity, trying to force him to say Hindu chants and drink water containing cow dung.
Fleeing for safety
Bandana Naik, the pastor’s wife, fled the house church with their two daughters and ran about 15 minutes to a police station. However, police delayed responding to Naik for two-and-a-half hours. They also delayed taking him to a hospital and threatened him with jail, the couple said.
The family relocated 44 miles away and plans to not return to the village, Morning Star reported.
World Watch
India is No. 12 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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