In Nialijharan village in Odisha State, India, Jitendra Soren’s family became the third family to convert to Christianity in the last year. When all but the eldest daughter converted, relatives warned them not to attend church or “face death.”

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that on Jan. 25, Jitendra Soren, Malati Soren, and two of their children were eating lunch after church when Jitendra’s brothers and nephew came to the house, accusing them of practicing black magic. They claimed that their beliefs caused Jitendra’s niece to fall ill.

Jitendra denied their accusations and was pushed to the ground. In trying to protect him, his 15-year-old daughter was struck with an axe and killed. His wife was killed trying to protect their daughter, and Jitendra was murdered as he fled.

The Sorens leave behind a younger daughter who managed to flee the home, an elder married daughter, and a son who was away studying at the time of the murder. After the police arrested the suspects, the eldest daughter filed a First Information Report, which left out any reference to anti-Christian aggression and treated the case as a land dispute between relatives.

According to Article 14, the Odisha State has seen an uptick in violence against Christians. From 2014 to 2024, India saw 4,316 acts of violence against Christians, with 2024 seeing a count as high as 834.

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