Christians Protest Attack on Priests and Laity in Jabalpur, Demand Action Against Culprits

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, April 1, 2025 – Hundreds of Christians from Jabalpur gathered for a protest outside the Jabalpur police headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, demanding justice for the Catholic priests and laypeople who were attacked yesterday by members of a Hindutva right-wing group . The demonstrators, numbering between 600 and 700, submitted a formal petition to the police, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible within 24 hours.

Speaking to Catholic Connect from Jabalpur, Father Davis George, the Vicar General of the Diocese and one of the priests targeted in the attack, explained that the protest was led by lay members of the diocese. "Protesters documented the event, with videos capturing scenes of the protest outside the police headquarters”, he added.

During the demonstration, the protesters strongly condemned the assault and called for the immediate arrest of the culprits. In response, police officials assured the protesters that they would review the available video footage of the incident and take appropriate action.

Despite the gravity of the attack, the Diocese of Jabalpur has not filed a First Information Report (FIR) or initiated legal action against the perpetrators. Father George explained that the diocese has refrained from pursuing legal proceedings, given the current political climate, as both the city, state, and central governments are led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He acknowledged that navigating legal processes under these circumstances would be challenging.

With over four decades of leadership experience in education, Father George emphasized the need for Catholics to engage more actively in political and social spheres. He urged the community to consistently contribute to major English and Hindi publications to make their voices heard and help shape public opinion. Additionally, he called for stronger leadership and greater civic involvement to enhance the Catholic community’s influence at regional and national levels.

By Catholic Connect Reporter