Indian Christian Woman Loses Her Baby After Violent Assault
A Christian woman in central India tragically lost her pregnancy after being beaten and strangled by a tribal headman and his family for praying for a sick relative. The incident highlights growing religious intolerance and systemic discrimination against Christians in rural India.
On January 2, 2025, Kunika Kashyap, a 25-year-old Christian woman who was six weeks pregnant, was attacked by Ganga Ram Kashyap, the headman of her tribal village in Bade Bodal, Chhattisgarh. The assault occurred after Ganga Ram, suspicious that Kunika might pray for her ill cousin’s sister, began recording her on his phone. When Kunika objected, Ganga Ram ignored her protests, leading to a violent confrontation.
Ganga Ram kicked her in the abdomen, strangled her, and was joined by his wife and daughter in beating her with bamboo sticks. Kunika eventually managed to escape, attributing her survival to divine intervention. She was rushed to the Government District Hospital in Jagdalpur, where she was initially treated for injuries to her neck, abdomen, and chest. Despite an initial ultrasound showing that her foetus was alive, Kunika suffered a miscarriage by 6:30 p.m. on the same day.
Kunika and her husband, Mandu Ram Kashyap, had been eagerly anticipating their first child. The couple has been married for two years.
The Kashyaps are part of a small Christian community in a predominantly tribal village, where they face consistent opposition from the tribal headman and other villagers. Christians in the village have been restricted from using communal water sources and are denied burial rights.
Tensions have escalated over recent incidents. In December 2024, the Christian community faced physical confrontations when they attempted to bury a deceased member on privately purchased land. A similar altercation occurred on January 7, 2025, when the son of a local pastor was denied permission to bury his father in the village’s Christian graveyard, despite prior burials by the same family.
Despite filing a formal complaint with the local police, Mandu Ram reported that no First Information Report (FIR) had been filed, and no proper investigation was carried out. The only police action came on January 7, when officers visited the scene but showed little interest in pursuing the case.
Meanwhile, authorities permitted a protest organised by the Sarva Adivasi Samaj (All Tribal Society) on January 7, which accused Christians of forced conversions. Christian leaders, including Salim Hakku, condemned the authorities for supporting the protest despite ongoing complaints against the headman. “It is shocking that the police backed a protest in support of the headman, instead of acting against him for his violent actions,” Hakku said.
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This assault is part of a broader pattern of religious persecution in India, particularly targeting Christians. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, religious tensions have escalated, with minority groups, especially Christians, facing increasing discrimination and violence. India now ranks 11th on the 2025 World Watch List, a report tracking countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. This marks a sharp decline from its 31st position in 2013, underscoring the worsening situation for religious minorities under the current government.
The Kashyaps’ tragic experience underscores the urgent need for stronger legal protections for Christians and other religious minorities in India. Advocates for religious freedom are calling for greater accountability from local authorities and police to ensure that crimes against religious minorities are properly investigated and that perpetrators are held accountable.
This incident serves as a painful reminder of the religious intolerance that continues to plague parts of India and the need for greater respect for diversity, tolerance, and human rights. The Kashyaps’ plea for justice reflects the broader struggle of Christians in India, who continue to face discrimination and violence simply for practicing their faith.
Kunika Kashyap’s ordeal highlights a troubling trend of rising religious intolerance in India, particularly against Christians. The failure of local authorities to protect her and investigate the attack only exacerbates the sense of injustice and vulnerability experienced by religious minorities. As tensions grow, it is imperative that both the Indian government and law enforcement agencies take immediate action to safeguard the rights and safety of all religious communities.
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Picture Credit | https://www.christianpost.com/
