Church Closed in Odisha Village Amid Communal Tensions; Christian Families Allege Threats and Burial Denial

Nabarangpur, Odisha, March 6, 2026: Rising communal tensions in Kopena village in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district have led to the closure of a church attended by local Christian families, leaving members of the community fearful and unable to practise their faith in the village.

According to residents, the church used by around 30 Christian families was closed on January 25 following disagreements between members of the Christian community and the dominant Hindu population in the village. The dispute has since deepened, with Christian families alleging threats, restrictions on religious practices, and difficulties in conducting funeral rites according to their faith.

Tensions escalated on the day the church was locked. Two young men from the Christian community, identified as Jolander and John Santa, were allegedly beaten when they attempted to record a video of the church being closed. Residents say the incident added to the fear among Christian families in the village.

Local authorities have acknowledged the dispute and say efforts were made to resolve the matter. The district collector stated that a peace committee had been formed to address the situation. According to the collector, the issue centred on the ownership of the land on which the church stands, which the administration claims is government land.

However, the village pastor has disputed this claim. He said the land had been purchased in 2007, arguing that the church was built legally and that the congregation had been using the space for worship for several years.

The tensions in the village intensified after the death of a 13-year-old Christian boy. His father alleged that members of the Hindu community prevented them from conducting the burial according to Christian rituals in the village. The family eventually buried the child on a private plot of land, and the burial took place in the presence of police officials.

About a week after the church was locked, the village reportedly decided to permanently close the church. According to the pastor, members of the Christian community were coerced into accepting the decision.

BBC journalists who visited the village sought responses from local authorities regarding the dispute, including questions about whether the decision to close the church was fair and about the ownership of the land. However, they said they were unable to obtain a response from either the district collector’s office or the

 superintendent of police on these issues.

The additional superintendent of police later stated that the closure of the church was the result of a mutual decision taken by villagers. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party minister Nityanand Gund did not respond to questions from journalists regarding 

the situation.

Christian organisations say such incidents reflect a wider pattern of hostility. The United Christian Forum, a Christian advocacy group, reports a seven-fold increase in violence against Christians since 2014, with common incidents including assaults on pastors and attacks on Christian institutions.

The government, however, has said such figures are exaggerated, while also noting that it does not maintain official data on attacks against religious minorities.

Despite public messages of inclusiveness from national leaders during Christmas celebrations, Christian families in Kopena village say they remain anxious about their safety. With the church now closed, many residents say they have been praying inside their homes while continuing to live in fear.

BBC News journalists Antariksh Jain and Ishadrita Lahiri travelled to Kopena village to speak with both the Christian families and members of the Hindu community who have raised objections to the church.

Courtesy: BBC News