They are being forced to flee.
In Chhattisgarh’s Sukma District, several Christian families were violently attacked and expelled from their village, Durandarbha, by fellow villagers for practicing their faith. On April 24, around 45 Christians from 10 families were beaten and forced to flee into the nearby hills and forests. They later found temporary shelter at a church in Chintalnar. The villagers had convened a meeting demanding the Christians abandon their beliefs, and when they refused, the situation escalated into a brutal assault. Even women, children, and the elderly were not spared. Following the attack, homes were raided and important documents and Bibles were reportedly burned.
Subsequent attempts to return were met with death threats. When two Christian women returned to assess the situation, they were told they would only be allowed back if they renounced their faith. One family’s home was later set ablaze, presumably by locals. The expelled families have been living in a makeshift church shelter under poor conditions, including leaking roofs during rain. Attempts to get justice have yielded little; although police escorted them for medical care and warned the attackers, no arrests have been made, and the families have not received official documentation of their complaints.
Another incident of religious persecution occurred in Karigundam, a village nearby. On April 12, during a council attended by thousands, Christian families were pressured to deny their faith. While some complied out of fear of losing their livelihood, eight families remained firm and were subsequently expelled. Authorities visited the village days later after the case gained attention online, warning villagers against such actions and assisting the Christians in retrieving their possessions.
Sukma District is predominantly tribal, with dense forests and one of the lowest literacy rates in India. The region has seen growing instances of hostility toward Christians, reflecting a wider national trend. India is now ranked 11th globally in Christian persecution, a significant drop from 31st place a decade ago. Many human rights advocates blame the rise in hostility on the Hindu nationalist policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which they argue has empowered religious extremism across the country.
Despite the trauma and displacement, many of the Christian families remain steadfast in their beliefs. Leaders like Bhima Sodi and helpers such as Hirma and Santosh Markam continue to support the victims. These incidents highlight the increasing challenges faced by religious minorities in India, especially in tribal and rural areas where communal pressures are deeply entrenched.