A shocking incident has come to light in Odisha’s Balasore district, where two Christian women were beaten, tied to a tree, and forced to strip by members of the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist group. The women, identified as Subhasini Singh and Sukanti Singh, were visiting a local man in Mukhura village when they were attacked on allegations of conversion.

According to Pastor Sadhu Sunder Singh, the women were praying in the home when Bajrang Dal members barged in, demanding that they come out. The women were hidden inside the house for safety, but were eventually found, beaten, and dragged out. The pastor alleged that the women were harassed and forced to remove their sarees. A video of the incident has gone viral, showing the women surrounded by a group of men and women, with one man accusing them of destroying Hindu religion and culture.

The police have detained four persons in connection with the incident and filed two cases, but Pastor Singh alleged that the accused were let go soon after their arrest due to pressure. The incident highlights the increasing attacks on the Christian community in India, with Odisha being no exception. As Pastor Singh said, “There has been an increase in the persecution of Christians lately, and it is all very distressing.”