Christian priest brutally attacked, forced to eat cow dung; KC Venugopal writes to Union Home Minister demanding strict action against perpetrators

NEW DELHI: AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal MP has written to the Union Home Minister and the Odisha Chief Minister, demanding the arrest of the perpetrators who brutally assaulted a Christian priest in Odisha.

According to the complaint, around 40 Bajrang Dal members led the attack. The incident occurred on Sunday while the priest was participating in a prayer meeting. The attackers barged into his house, beat him, smeared vermilion on his face, forced him to wear a garland of shoes, and then tied him at a nearby temple. They also made him drink dirty water from a drain, eat cow dung and forced him to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” the letter said.

K.C. Venugopal described the incident as more than just a mob attack, calling it a violation of religious freedom. He said such acts aim to crush the self-respect and faith of citizens and are unacceptable against religious minorities. He added that it is the government’s responsibility to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all.

The letter urged both the central and state governments to take all necessary steps to apprehend every person involved in the attack on the priest and ensurethat strict action is taken.