After accusing a pastor in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha, India, of forcefully converting Hindus to Christianity, a group of Hindu nationalists forced him to eat cow dung and drink sewer water.

The incident occurred on Jan. 4 but only became widely known in recent days, prompting nationwide outrage and criticism.

A mob of about 40 people, reportedly affiliated with the Bajrang Dal — the militant wing of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — stormed a home during a prayer meeting in Parjang village, and accused the pastor of conducting “forced religious conversions.”

The pastor, Bipin Bihari Naik, was dragged from the house and beaten with sticks. His face was smeared with red vermilion (sindoor). Sandals were hung around his neck. He was then paraded through the village for nearly two hours.

Naik was eventually taken to a local Hindu temple, where his hands were tied to a metal rod, and he was forced to consume cow dung and drink water from a sewer. They also tried to force the pastor to chant Hindu slogans, but he refused to do so.

Photos of the incident have appeared in several newspapers, and reports have been widely circulated on social media.

Some mainstream print media published less detailed versions of the story, with one newspaper omitting the reference to cow dung.

Speaking to Maktoob media, Pastor Naik’s wife, Vandana, said she was proud of her husband for refusing to bow to pressure from the mob to chant Hindu slogans.

Vandana, who was present at the prayer meeting, said the mob first forcibly entered the house where they were praying. The mob began to beat everyone inside. Seven other families were present.

Vandana said she and her children managed to escape and run toward the nearest police station. There, they pleaded with officers to rescue her husband.

“But it was only after nearly two hours that the police reached the village,” she added.

According to Vandana, police intervention did not immediately stop the attack.

Police have detained nine individuals in connection with the assault. However, a counter-FIR was also filed against the pastor, accusing him of forced conversion.

Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, in a statement on X, said that the brutal assault on the pastor is not an isolated crime; it reflects the atmosphere of violence and hatred being systematically fostered by the Sangh Parivar (the family of RSS).

“Forcing a human being to eat cow dung is a deeply inhuman act, emboldened by the silence and complicity of BJP-led governments,” he said.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from other leaders. These include Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee. They described the act as a grave violation of constitutional rights.

Strongly condemning the incident, Sangma said the repeated attacks on Christians taint India’s diverse culture and religious fabric. He urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and called for swift, decisive action against those responsible.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Indian Parliament, also condemned the incident on X.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India said in a statement that it stood in solidarity with Naik and urged authorities to ensure safety and protection for all citizens.

“Forcing a person to eat cow dung is a grave act of violence and humiliation, targeting an individual’s dignity and faith,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Naik and his family have been taken to a secret shelter. The other Christian families have also been relocated to safe houses.

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