At least eight Christians, including a pregnant woman, were severely injured when a crowd of extremists attacked a worship service in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh on Sunday 31 May.
The congregation of between 20 and 30 people were holding their regular Sunday morning worship in the village of Sadrapal, Sukma District, when the attack took place.
“Eight individuals sustained severe head injuries,” said a Barnabas Aid contact. “Their condition is reported to be critical.”
One of the worshippers left seriously injured after a Sunday morning service was attacked in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh
Our contact added, “We respectfully urge the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to restore law and order, ensure the safety of vulnerable communities, and bring those responsible for such acts of violence to justice.”
In March 2026 Chhattisgarh passed a new Freedom of Religion Bill (commonly referred to as an anti-conversion law) that strengthens the existing law regulating religious conversions and criminalising those believed to be obtained through force, fraud or allurement.
Extremists often wrongly believe that such laws criminalise all conversions from Hinduism, or even that they outlaw any form of Christian worship.
In April, also in Sukma District, Chhattisgarh, four Christians – a married couple and their two children – were beaten by a mob of extremists and left with serious injuries after they refused abandon their faith.
How you can pray
Pray urgently for the recovery of those left critically injured, and for the safety and wellbeing of our sister’s unborn child. Ask the Lord to strengthen His people as they face violence and persecution. Pray that the authorities will act to protect those vulnerable to this kind of mob violence.
