Catholic Priests and Laity Attacked by Hindutva Extremists in Jabalpur

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, 1 April, 2025 - In a disturbing incident, Catholic priests and laity were assaulted by a group of Hindutva extremists in Jabalpur on Monday.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of Catholic pilgrims from Mandla parish were on a pilgrimage to various Catholic churches in Jabalpur as part of Jubilee 2025. However, their journey was disrupted when they were stopped by the Bajrang Dal group and taken to the Omti police station.

Although they were released, they were stopped again at another church and taken to the Ranchi police station. It was then that Father Davis, Vicar General of Jabalpur, and Father George T, diocesan procurator, rushed to the scene to provide support and assistance.

However, upon arrival, they were met with violence and hostility. The extremists physically assaulted the priests, leaving them shaken. Despite being assaulted, the priests stayed composed, refusing to retaliate at any point. The police eventually intervened, freeing the priests and the pilgrims by 5 pm and escorting them back to Mandla.

The incident has been widely condemned by the Catholic community, with Church leaders submitting a memorandum today to the government authorities, seeking justice and action against the perpetrators.

The RSS has officially distanced themselves from the attack, stating that they do not condone such violence. However, the incident has raised concerns about the growing intolerance and extremism in the region.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway, with police officials promising to take action against those responsible.

By Fr. Suresh Mathew