Christian Pastor and His Family Beaten Bloody in India: Niece Slashed Across the Face With Wooden Stick

Chhattisgarh Pastor Motu Sodi Survives Mob Attack as Tribalists Attempt to Drive Christians From Village

Pastor Motu Sodi, his wife, his sister, and his 18 year old niece Mangali Madavi were brutally beaten by tribal religionists in Sukma District, Chhattisgarh on 13 and 14 April 2026 after the attackers vowed to drive the Christian family from their own land.

"We won't let you stay in the village or on your own property. We want to chase you away," the attackers warned before unleashing the assault.

Chhattisgarh Christians Face Mob Violence and False Conversion Charges

Pastor Sodi suffered internal injuries from beatings with wooden sticks. His wife was left bleeding from a head wound. His sister sustained an ear injury so severe it has affected her hearing. His teenage niece was slashed across the cheek with a broken stick, leaving a deep laceration below her eye.

"Even though they came with a huge mob, none of them stepped forward to hit us, except for the two men," Pastor Sodi said. The attackers then filed false fraudulent conversion charges against the Christian family before returning the next day to assault them again. The local police officer told both sides "I don't care; we are going to register a case of assault from both parties," giving moral equivalence to the victims and their attackers.

The Crusader's Opinion

India is the world's largest democracy and one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Hindu nationalist mobs and tribal mobs operate with police indifference because the courts treat the assaulted Christian and the Christ hating attacker as morally equal. They are not. Pastor Sodi's family was hunted on their own property for the crime of believing Jesus is Lord. India must answer for this. Western nations conditioning aid and trade on religious freedom is the only language Delhi understands.

Take Action

• Donate: Voice of the Martyrs, supporting persecuted believers in India
• Contact: Your representative demanding the State Department designate India a Country of Particular Concern
• Pray: For Pastor Sodi, his wife, his sister, and Mangali Madavi as they recover
• Share: Post Mangali's story and ask "Why is India given a free pass on Christian persecution?"
• Support: ADF International, fighting religious freedom cases in India