Christians Forced to Flee Village, House destroyed

Sukma, Chhattisgarh, September 30, 2025: A Christian family in Mukaram village, Sukma district, was violently displaced on Sunday morning, 28 September, after a mob of villagers demolished their house, destroyed their belongings, and threatened their lives.

For four years, Sodi Deva has quietly practised the Christian faith, the only believer in his village. That faith, however, became the reason for his persecution.

In the morning, nearly 60–70 villagers, led by Sarpanch Madvi Kosa and Patel Bojja, attacked Deva’s home. They broke into the house, dismantled the structure, and threw out all possessions. Household items worth more than ₹1,00,000 were ruined, and even standing crops were uprooted, leaving the family destitute.

Later the mob attacked his wife, Gangi (32), who was dragged, pushed, and humiliated in front of the crowd. Their children—11-year-old daughter Bhime and 10-year-old son Singe—clung to their parents in terror as villagers issued an ultimatum: reconvert to Hinduism or face death.

In a further blow, the perpetrators rushed to Chintalnar police station, just 4 km away, and lodged their version of events before Deva could file a complaint. This left him cornered, silenced, and under heightened pressure.

With threats escalating, Deva abandoned his home and fled 15 km with his family to another village. Speaking afterwards, he said: “We lost everything—our home, our crops, our belongings. But they wanted my faith. I could only save my family by running away.”

At present, the family has no shelter, food, or clothing. They remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and security.

The Progressive Christian Alliance has appealed to churches, Christian organisations, human rights defenders, and all people of goodwill to respond swiftly with both practical aid and advocacy. The Alliance has urged the wider Christian community to rally in solidarity, ensuring Deva and his family are not abandoned during this crisis.

“Let this be a moment where the body of Christ stands united—defending the persecuted and upholding justice in the face of oppression,”said a member of PCA who issued the appeal on behalf of the Alliance.

By Simon Digbal Tandi

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