Christian pastor forced to eat cow dung by Hindutva group in India

A Christian pastor in India's Odisha was allegedly assaulted and humiliated by a Hindutva group during a prayer gathering in a village, according to Indian media.

The incident occurred on January 4 in Dhenkanal district, where Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik had gathered with his family and several others for prayers at a private residence. Witnesses said a crowd of about 40 people assembled outside the house and later stormed inside.

Naik’s wife, Vandana, said the group attacked those present at the gathering. She said there were members of seven families inside the house at the time. Amid the chaos, she and her children managed to escape through a narrow lane and rushed to the nearest police station to seek help.

Naik told reporters that he was beaten with sticks and had red sindoor forcibly smeared on his face. He said the attackers also made him wear a garland of slippers and paraded him through the village.

Vandana alleged that despite repeated pleas, police did not arrive immediately. She said her husband was later tied at a Hanuman temple, with his hands bound behind a rod. She claimed he was assaulted, forced to consume cow dung, and compelled to chant religious slogans while bleeding from his injuries.

According to the report, police eventually intervened and rescued Naik, bringing him to the police station. However, a social activist said the pastor was made to sit there for nearly an hour without receiving medical treatment.