Catholic Priests, Nuns, Catechist Attacked by Bajrang Dal Mob in Jaleswar, Odisha

The Diocese of Balasore in Odisha is reeling after two Catholic priests, two nuns, and a catechist were violently attacked by a mob of around 70 Bajrang Dal members near Gangadhar village in Jaleswar Parish on August 6.

According to Catholic Connect, the attack occurred as the priests and their companions were leaving the village around 9 p.m., following a requiem Mass. The mob first targeted the catechist riding ahead on a motorcycle, beating him severely, dismantling his bike, and draining its fuel before turning on the priests’ vehicle.

“They physically attacked us, punching, pulling, and beating us, while shouting communal slurs and making false accusations of religious conversions,” said Fr. Lijo Nirappel, Parish Priest of Jaleswar. “Even after women from the village explained that we were invited for prayer, the attackers continued.”

Fr. Lijo alleged that the attackers had brought along their own media to stage a fabricated narrative. Police eventually arrived about 45 minutes later, escorting the priests and nuns to safety, though their mobile phones, snatched during the assault, were never returned.

“I never imagined something like this could happen in the Jaleswar area. We were simply performing a prayer service for grieving families, and we were attacked and humiliated on baseless allegations,” Fr. Lijo said.

No First Information Report (FIR) had been registered at the time of reporting. “We await the visit of our bishop, Most Rev. Varghese Thottamkara, to discuss the next steps,” Fr. Lijo added.

Fr. V. Jojo of Joda Parish, who was also attacked, said he was “deeply shocked” by the hostility directed at what he described as a purely pastoral and peaceful gathering.

Catholic Connect reports that the incident has heightened fears among Odisha’s Christian community, who see it as part of a troubling pattern of mob violence and fabricated allegations of forced conversions.