Christian widow, mother of 4 found dead, mutilated in Indian village

CHHATTISGARH, India — A Christian widow persecuted by tribal Hindu villagers was found dead and mutilated in a wilderness in Chhattisgarh, India.

Bajjo Bai Mandavi, 40, was seen May 25 collecting firewood near a wilderness two miles from her village. A driver spotted Bajjo’s remains May 29.

Family members and Christian leaders believe Bajjo was raped and murdered and left in the wilderness, where animals scavenged her body. Other sources insist Bajjo died from an animal attack.

Bajjo leaves behind four children — ages 6, 8, 12 and 17.

Since Bajjo became a Christian three years ago, she had been denied access to the village’s common water source, was shunned by most villagers, including her brother, and received death threats.

Upset that Bajjo had left their blend of Hindu and traditional tribal rituals, the villagers met four times to discuss action against her.

India is No. 10 on Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.