Peace Rally in Malkangiri, Odisha Demands Justice After Attack on Christian Community

Malkangiri, Odisha, July 2, 2025 : Thousands of Christians gathered in Malkangiri on 2 July 2025 for a peace rally, demanding justice and immediate arrests following a brutal assault on the Christian community in Matapaka village, under Katamateru jurisdiction, on 21 June. The attack left over 30 people injured, including 20 with serious wounds.

Despite a police case being registered against the alleged attackers, no arrests have been made so far, prompting widespread outrage.

The rally, held under heavy rainfall, was jointly organised by the Odisha unit of Rashtriya Christian Morcha (RCM), Malkangiri District Christian Manch (MDCM), and Voice Against Hate. It was endorsed by the Council of Evangelical Churches in India (CECI), Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), Progressive Christian Alliance, various churches, denominations and Christian organisations, as well as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC, religious minority groups, people’s organisations, and NGOs.

Fr. Prabhakar Sona, Vice President of MDCM, reported that more than 7,000 people took part in the peaceful demonstration. “Lunch was arranged for all participants, and the police have assured us that all accused will be arrested by 4 July without fail,” he stated.

Bishop Pallab Lima, State General Secretary of RCM, along with Fr. Bijay Pusur, District Coordinator for Malkangiri, Fr. Ismail Patro, District Coordinator for Koraput, and Fr. Devendra Singh from Jeypore, described the rally as a landmark event in the region’s history.

The organisers ensured a disciplined and inclusive gathering, with proper food arrangements and encouragement for fearless participation across communities.

Rt. Dr. Akhilesh Edgar, General Secretary of the Council of Evangelical Churches in India, stressed the need to uphold justice, enforce accountability, and restore safety and trust among Christians in the region.

The rally stood out as a powerful expression of Christian unity and moolniwasi-bahujan solidarity, attracting notable attention from the police administration, state authorities, media, and the wider public.

By Fr. Simon Digbal Tandi

Coordinator,

Progressive Christian Alliance