BY PC Bureau
A peaceful Easter Sunday prayer service at a church in Odhav, Ahmedabad, was disrupted when a group of individuals, suspected to be associated with right-wing organizations, stormed the premises, threatening worshippers, including women and children, with knives and sticks. The incident, which occurred around midday, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about religious intolerance in the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants, allegedly affiliated with groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, entered the church chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram.” They reportedly vandalized property, intimidated congregants, and accused the worshippers of engaging in forced religious conversions—a common allegation leveled against Christian communities in India. No serious injuries were reported, but the attack left the congregation shaken.
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“We were in the middle of our Easter prayers when they barged in, shouting and waving weapons,” said a church member to media persons. “They threatened us, saying we had no right to practice our faith here. It was terrifying, especially for the children.”
Local police were called to the scene, and officers dispersed the mob. No arrests have been reported as of Sunday evening.
A church was attacked in Odhav, Ahmedabad during Easter Sunday prayer. VHP and Bajrang Dal members stormed the church with knives & sticks, threatening women and children while chanting Jai Shri Ram!
Wolves in sheep clothing: @GeorgekurianBjp, @TheSureshGopi, @RajeevRC_X and… pic.twitter.com/0saBLWbuIi
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) April 20, 2025
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The attack has drawn sharp criticism from community leaders and activists. The Gujarat chapter of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) condemned the incident, calling it part of a broader pattern of violence against Christians in the state. “Such attacks, especially on a day as significant as Easter, are a direct assault on religious freedom,” said an EFI spokesperson. “We urge the authorities to ensure justice and protect minority communities.”
Here’s Ahmedabad police statement on VHP ‘workers’ entering a Christian prayer meeting with religious slogans. https://t.co/fIJlXP38Tz pic.twitter.com/A9TcElLAZl
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 20, 2025
“VHP workers went to the location suspecting religious conversion, and the police arrived shortly afterward. The VHP workers have submitted an application at the Odhav police station regarding suspected conversion. There has been no incident of kidnapping or confinement. No violence or other untoward incident took place. Christian leaders are currently at the police station and have not made any formal complaint,” Ahmedabad Police said in a post on X responding to the viral video.
Posts on social media platform X reflected public outrage, with users questioning the safety of religious minorities in Gujarat. One post read, “Who gave them the right to terrorize citizens for their faith?” while another criticized the state government, alleging inaction against such groups. However, these sentiments remain unverified and reflect individual opinions rather than confirmed facts.
This incident comes against the backdrop of rising reports of violence against Christians in India. According to a January 2025 report by The Wire, 834 attacks on Christians were recorded across the country in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. Gujarat, while not among the highest, has seen sporadic incidents of communal tension, often linked to allegations of conversions.
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The attack in Odhav also recalls past incidents in Ahmedabad, such as the 1998 demolition of a church in Naroda by RSS activists and the 2008 violence in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, where Christian communities faced targeted attacks by Hindu nationalist groups.
Church leaders have appealed to the Gujarat government and the National Commission for Minorities for intervention. “We only want to practice our faith in peace,” said a pastor from the affected church. “We hope the authorities will act swiftly to prevent such incidents in the future.”
As the investigation continues, the incident has cast a shadow over Easter celebrations in Ahmedabad, with many calling for unity and dialogue to address rising communal tensions. The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
