Christians Across Odisha Lead State-Wide Bandh to Protest Against Religious Persecution

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, July 2, 2025: Christians in several districts of Odisha organised and participated in a historic statewide Bharat Bandh on July 1 to protest the rising incidents of violence against members of their community. The bandh was observed in 20 of the state’s 30 districts and was led primarily by grassroots leaders and civil society organisations, including the Odisha unit of the National Christian Front and the Bharat Mukti Morcha.

The protest featured widespread road blockades, market closures, and public rallies, reflecting growing concern and unity among Christians in the state.

Complete shutdowns were reported in the Christian-majority districts of Kandhamal and Gajapati. Towns including Raikia, G. Udaygiri, and Bamunigaon observed full closures, while Daringibadi witnessed a partial bandh.

In Bamunigaon alone, over 3,000 people from surrounding panchayats participated in a mass rally to protest recent incidents of violence against Christians in Kosbosa and Dharakote villages, allegedly carried out by members of the Bajrang Dal.

In Gajapati district, protesters blocked roads in at least eight locations, disrupting transport for up to three hours. At Luhagudi, tensions escalated when the Gajapati Superintendent of Police threatened arrests during a verbal confrontation with the protest organisers. Similar incidents were reported in other protest locations as police urged demonstrators to disperse.

Malkangiri district also observed a total shutdown to protest a recent mob attack on Christians in one of the villages of the district. Police later registered cases against ten bandh organisers who attempted to shutdown a local bank.

In a rare demonstration in the state capital, Bhubaneswar, hundreds of Christians carried out a road blockade for 10 to 15 minutes, causing a major traffic jam from Vani Vihar to Baramunda.

According to Fr. Ajaya Kumar Singh, a Catholic priest and rights activist based in Bhubaneswar, the bandh was led by members of lay Christian organisations and socio-political groups.

“The call for this bandh did not come from institutional churches like the Catholic Church,” Fr. Ajay said while speaking to Catholic Connect. “It was initiated by lay Christians.”

Father Ajay noted that the Christian church in Odisha is now being shaped at three levels: bishops, clergy, and the laity.

"The strongest momentum is emerging from the grassroots, as the faithful no longer wait for official calls to protest against violence and discrimination faced by them", he said.

Father Ajay added that another mass protest took place today, July 2, in Malkangiri district, in response to the recent mob attack on 20 Christians from a local village.

"Despite heavy rainfall, a crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 people gathered at the district headquarters to demand justice and accountability", he reported.

Key figures who participated in the statewide bandh on July 1 include independent bishops D.B. Hriday and Pallab Lima, lay leader Jugal Ranjit, and Pastor Anil Kumar of Bhubaneswar. While some mainstream religious leaders have refrained from direct participation, they have publicly expressed solidarity with the cause of the protesters.

By Catholic Connect Reporter