By Matters India Reporter
Bhubaneswar, May 6, 2026: A people’s tribunal has accused the Odisha government of failing to protect Christian minorities, citing “extremely harrowing and worrying” testimonies of violence and discrimination across several districts.
The Karwan-e-Mohabbat tribunal, comprising activists John Dayal, Aakar Patel, Vidya Dinker, and Harsh Mander, traveled through Nabarangpur, Jeypore, Balasore, and Baripada between May 2 and 5.
They met nearly 300 residents from 12 districts, including Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sambalpur.
Karwan-e-Mohabbat, also known as the “Caravan of Love,” is a nationwide civilian campaign launched in 2017 to stand in solidarity with victims of mob lynching and communal violence in India. Founded by human rights activist Harsh Mander, the initiative travels across states offering legal, social, and livelihood support to survivors of hate crimes.
Widespread attacks on worship
Their open letter to the Odisha government’s Chief Secretary states that Christian communities, largely adivasi and dalit, face repeated assaults on their fundamental rights. “Firstly, under assault is their fundamental right of freedom of conscience and faith guaranteed under Art 25 of the Constitution,” the tribunal wrote.
Witnesses described physical attacks on chapels and house churches, pastors and priests, and the forceful disruption of prayer meetings. Clergy members were allegedly confined in police stations and jails on “false charges of unlawful religious conversion.”
Social boycott, expulsions, denial of burial rights
The tribunal reported a second pattern of discrimination: social and economic boycotts. “We heard of fines being imposed on non-Christian residents who interacted in any way with the boycotted Christians, traded with them, employed them or gave them shelter,” the letter said.
In some cases, Christians were expelled from villages, cutting them off from livelihoods and community ties.
A third disturbing trend involved preventing Christian burials. “We hear of bodies rotting sometimes for days before the burial becomes possible,” the tribunal noted. Families were forced to bury loved ones in forested lands outside village boundaries, while funeral prayers were obstructed.
Physical assaults and intimidation
The tribunal also documented violent assaults, including beatings, sexual violence, and attempted immolation. Victims were reportedly tied to trees or stuffed into sacks before being attacked.
Even more troubling, the letter alleged collusion between police and Hindutva groups. “We reiterate our particular concern with many testimonies in which the people told us that the police joined Hindutva organizations to force them to sign ‘compromise’ agreements in which they undertake to give up their faith and collective worship,” it stated.
Police role questioned
The tribunal accused police of registering “grave criminal charges against those who are attacked,” leading to detentions. In some cases, officers allegedly played “a direct role in the intimidation and violence against the Christian minorities.”
The letter highlighted that one of the worst-affected districts is represented by the Ministry of Minority Welfare, underscoring what the tribunal called a “complete breakdown in the constitutional machinery of the state.”
Call to action
The signatories urged the Odisha administration to uphold constitutional guarantees.
“We call upon the state administration led by you to uphold and defend the constitutional rights including the religious rights of every citizen in the state without discrimination of religion, caste or creed,” the letter concluded.
The tribunal’s findings add to longstanding concerns about communal violence in Odisha, where Christian minorities have faced repeated attacks over the past decades.