Police beat up Catholic priests in India’s eastern state of Odisha

In the eastern Indian state of Odisha, police officers beat up at least two Catholic priests severely and looted the church on March 22.

The shocking incident happened at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Juba, Berhampur Diocese, Gajapati district in Odisha, reports Catholic Connect.

A day beofre the incident, police raided a nearby village, during which police searched homes for ganja and arrested several villagers indiscriminately.

According to the church sources, there was no connection between the church incedent and the villagers on illegal trade.

Fr. Joshi George, parish priest of Jobo Catholic Church, told Catholic Connect that the Church has nothing to do with it.

In homilies, priests advise people not to engage in any illegal activity. However, some continue to engage in such illegal trade because they find the potential financial rewards too tempting to resist.  

On March 22, a group of police officers landed on the church premises without prior notice and started beating anyone they saw in the church premises and priests’ residence, said Fr. Joshi, a victim of the attack, reports a local Odia news outlet, Samartha News.

As is customary before Sunday services, some young girls were cleaning the church when the incident occurred.

The police officials entered the church and assaulted the young girls.

At least three girls called out for the attention of the priests and ran towards the priests’ residence, calling out for help.

At that time, Fr. Joshi and his assistant priest, Fr. Dayanand Nayak, were taking an afternoon rest.

When the priests came out, the police officials asked them who they were. As the priest explained, the police officials started beating them both severely.

They also dragged both priests into the street, insulted them with foul language, and humiliated them.

The officials accused the clergy of being Pakistanis, and they are engaged in converting people to Christianity and spreading evil teaching among people.

Soon after that, the police officials confiscated the parish priest’s mobile phone, telling him, "We will return it after two days."

The priests denied the allegations, stating that they were not converting anyone or spreading false teachings but rather providing beneficial guidance to the people. However, the officers ignored their words and continued to beat them, with Fr. Dayanand suffered the most. The officers brutally hit him on his head and shoulders, seriously injuring him.

"We wanted to take him to the hospital that evening, but out of fear, we could not," said Fr. Joshi. "The next day, we took him to Berhampur Medical College Hospital."

The X-ray report confirmed that Fr. Dayanand's shoulder bone was fractured. Physically and emotionally devastated, the priest suffered not only from his injuries but also from the trauma—on what was supposed to be his birthday.

After dragging the priests to the street, the officers entered the presbytery. They sat in the dining room, drank water, entered the priests' bedrooms, and even looted Indian rupees 40,000 from the parish priest's office.

"They falsely accused us, insulted us with cruel and filthy language, and persecuted us both physically and mentally," Fr. Joshi said. "We never expected such treatment from officers."

When the parish priest questioned them, asking, "Why are you beating us?" they could not provide any reason. He continued, "We condemn this brutal act and urge that no priest, church institution, or Christian should ever face such attacks again."

The officers also threatened the priest, saying, "We will take you to the Mohana Police Station. You will stay there, and no one will be able to help you."

In response, Fr. Joshi firmly told them, "I have committed no mistake to be taken to the police station. If I have done anything wrong, state it clearly."

"I have shared our suffering and pain with my authorities. They will take the necessary steps. Regardless, I will continue my priestly service in this parish," the priest said.

He further stated to Catholic Connect, "We are in the season of Lent, and it is a reminder of the suffering of Christ. We forgive them for the injustice done to us without proper inquiry." He added, "We also request the police administration to not engage in such acts without any evidence."

According to India’s census (2011), Odisha is home to 1.16 million Christians (2.77% of the state's population).

Attacking priests, Christians, and other church-related institutions is common in Odisha and other parts of India.

Church leaders repeatedly urge government officials to protect Christians and stop persecution and other forms of harassment against them based on religious lines. However, church leaders' pleas often remain unanswered. - Catholic Connect