"Targeted Attacks on Priests in Eastern India Raise Fears of Planned Church Suppression"

“Targeted Attacks on Priests in Eastern India Raise Fears of Planned Church Suppression”

Church Leaders See Pattern in Rising Assaults and Robberies

Church leaders in eastern India are raising alarms over recent violent attacks and robberies targeting Catholic priests and churches. They believe these are not random crimes but part of a planned effort to weaken the Church’s mission and disrupt its work among the poor and tribal communities.

Brutal Attack on Priests in Jharkhand

On June 9, five masked men broke into the Samsera Parish vicarage in Simdega Diocese, Jharkhand. They attacked Father Ignatius Toppo, his assistant Father Roshan Soreng, and Father Agustin Dungdung. After beating the priests, the attackers stole cash from a safe and fled.

Consistent Pattern of Midnight Attacks

Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas of Daltonganj said that these attacks follow a clear pattern. The robbers strike around midnight, assault the priests, and steal money and valuables. Over the last two years, such incidents have increased, especially in Jharkhand and Odisha. In just the past two months, there have been at least three attacks.

Political and Religious Motives Suspected

Bishop Mascarenhas believes these are not just robberies. He suspects a political motive behind the attacks, especially since they often happen in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He explained that some Hindu groups, which support the BJP, oppose the Church’s efforts to help the poor and tribal people. These groups see the Church’s work as an attempt to convert people and want to stop it.

Priests Forced to Praise Hindu Gods

Father Ajay Kumar Singh, a priest and social worker from Odisha, confirmed a disturbing pattern. In some cases, attackers force priests to praise Hindu gods and goddesses.

Since the BJP came to power in Odisha in June 2024, there have been at least eight robbery attempts. “If these were only robberies, why would they desecrate the Holy Communion?” asked Father Singh. He believes these actions clearly show religious targeting.

Police Fail to Act Effectively

One of the biggest concerns is the lack of police action. In many cases, police have not arrested anyone. For example, after a robbery on March 21 in Titilagarh, Sambalpur Diocese, where the Holy Eucharist and donation money were stolen, police have made no arrests.

Father Madan Sual Singh shared another shocking case. In May 2025, nine armed men attacked a 90-year-old priest who could not resist them. He suffered serious injuries.

Christian Sites Targeted, Others Spared

Despite the presence of wealthy homes and other religious sites, the attackers continue to target Christian churches. Father Sual Singh stressed that priests are often attacked even when they do not resist, proving the attackers’ violent intent.

Community Demands Action

Praveen Kachhap, state general secretary of the All India Christian Minority Front in Jharkhand, said, “The Christian community feels angry and hurt. The state government must act fast and catch the criminals.”

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