Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma condemned the alleged assault on Christian pastor Bipin Bihari Naik in Odisha, calling it a grave violation of constitutional rights. Odisha police have detained nine people in connection with the incident, which reportedly occurred in early January in Dhenkanal district.
According to reports, the pastor was allegedly assaulted, forced to eat cow dung, made to chant religious slogans, and paraded publicly. An investigation began after the victim’s wife complained to senior police officials, citing inaction by local police.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation. Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das termed it an attack on religious freedom, while the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India described it as a serious violation of human dignity and urged swift action and justice for the victim.
