persecution
Hindu Nationalists Attack Church, Injure 25 Worshippers
By commsmanager at International Christian Concern
· June 8, 2026
· 3 min read
A Hindu nationalist mob brutally attacked a worship service on Sunday, May 31, in the remote Sadrapal village of Sukma district in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, injuring at least 25 worshippers, including the pastor’s pregnant wife. Of the nearly 30 people injured, at least eight worship
Key takeaway The Incident The attack occurred while about 70 Christians were gathered for a peaceful prayer service led by local fellowship leader Pastor Hunga Mandavi.
Why this matters
The attack on the church in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district highlights the growing risks faced by Christian communities in India, particularly in states with stringent anti-conversion laws. The Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 has created an environment where ordinary worship services can be perceived as threats, making them vulnerable to violence and legal harassment. The fact that local Hindu nationalists claimed the attack was related to a land dispute, while Christian leaders attributed it to hostility towards the Christian faith, underscores the deep-seated tensions and conflicting narratives at play. As the Progressive Christian Alliance noted, such incidents have increased since the revised anti-conversion law was passed, suggesting a disturbing trend of escalating violence against Christians. The incident also raises concerns about the ability of Christians to gather and worship safely, and the need for greater protection and support for persecuted communities in India.
About this story
Original reporting by International Christian Concern . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: persecution ·
Published: June 8, 2026 ·
Source: International Christian Concern ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Hindu nationalist mob brutally attacked a worship service on Sunday, May 31, in the remote Sadrapal village of Sukma district in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, injuring at least 25 worshippers, including the pastor’s pregnant wife. Of the nearly 30 people injured, at least eight worship
When was this published? This article was first published on June 8, 2026 by International Christian Concern and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by commsmanager at International Christian Concern. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more persecution coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .