Farmer Family Faces Starvation Amid Religious Persecution in Bhadrak

Bhadrak District, Odisha, 15 Jun, 2025 : A disturbing case of religious persecution has emerged from Kontia Ichhapur Village, where Gouranga Bai and his wife, Ritanjali Bai, face starvation after being denied access to their own farmland. The couple, who recently embraced Christianity following a personal tragedy, are now being ostracised by their community and prevented from cultivating their paddy fields — their sole source of livelihood.

Their ordeal began after the death of their son on 13 October 2023, from a severe illness. It was during this period of grief that the Bai family encountered the Christian faith and found comfort in its teachings. Although not formally affiliated with any church — due to the scarcity of Christian congregations in Bhadrak district — their decision has drawn hostility from the village.

As the only Christian family in Kontia Ichhapur, they have faced mounting pressure to renounce their faith. Social isolation has escalated into open threats. A violent mob even attempted to attack their home in recent weeks. However, a physical assault was narrowly avoided thanks to the swift action of local journalist and Rastriya Christian Morcha volunteer, Mr. Monoj Nayak, who alerted the police. Mr. Nayak continues to offer the family much-needed support.

Now, the persecution has taken a more severe turn. Villagers are actively blocking Gouranga Bai from cultivating his own land. With the farming season underway, this deliberate obstruction threatens the family’s survival. Without their harvest, they risk running out of food and are unable to meet essential living costs.

This targeted economic blockade represents a grave violation of constitutional rights. It infringes on Article 21 of the Indian Constitution — the right to life, which includes the right to livelihood — and Article 25, which guarantees the freedom to profess, practise, and propagate religion.

Bhadrak district has a history of religious tension, including reports of conversions and church closures. The plight of the Bai family now exposes the urgent need for stronger protections for religious minorities and greater enforcement of constitutional guarantees.

As each day passes in the critical farming season, the window for the Bai family to sustain themselves grows narrower. Their struggle stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those exercising their right to faith and the essential role of law enforcement and civil society in upholding justice and dignity for all.