Christian wedding attacked in Chhattisgarh State

A Christian wedding celebration in Raipur in India’s Chhattisgarh State was violently disrupted on 11 June when a mob attacked the wedding host and guests. The attack resulted in injuries, property damage, and the displacement of five families.

The incident began when three young local villagers in their early 20s stormed the wedding venue, cut off the electricity supply, and declared that Christians were not allowed to hold celebrations in the village. When the groom’s family attempted to contact the electricity board, approximately 30 villagers who had gathered outside the venue vandalised vehicles and set the building on fire.

The mob hurled verbal abuse at the women and tore their sarees. When the women’s children tried to defend their mothers, they were pelted with stones, which forced them to seek refuge in a nearby house. Once inside the house, the victims contacted the police, who arrived swiftly, escorted the victims to safety and managed to disperse the attackers. The police arrested one person, but he was released the following day. A local source told CSW that the police had released the person due to concerns of a backlash from the villagers.

The victims filed a complaint and a First Information Report (FIR), which is required for the police to open an investigation, was registered at Dharsiwa Police Station the following day. However, a counter-FIR was registered by the villagers, accusing the groom’s family of provoking the villagers.

On 13 June, the village council head pressured the groom’s family to withdraw their FIR and refrain from holding any future events, including weddings, birthdays, or funerals, in the village, threatening to cut off their water supply if they refused. The family agreed to comply with these demands.

As soon as the meeting concluded, a group of villagers attacked the groom’s brother, father, and a church member. Five families, including that of the groom and other church members, fled to a neighbouring village for safety. They face significant challenges as their livestock and farmland remain in their home village, which they are now afraid to return to.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘The violent disruption of a Christian wedding in Raipur is a concerning reminder of the growing vulnerability of religious minorities in rural India. The targeted attack, the pressure to withdraw legal complaints and the forced displacement of families highlight both the immediate threat to their safety and the systemic failure to uphold their constitutional rights. CSW urges the Indian authorities to carry out a swift and impartial investigation into the attack, while ensuring that victims are protected and returned to their homes without fear of reprisals. We condemn the efforts of the village authorities to prohibit Christians from holding events in their village, and call on them to review this decision so that these families can return to their homes and livelihoods.’