On 27th December, Odisha Police in Balasore district filed two cross-FIRs after a video went viral on social media showing two tribal women tied to a pole. It has been reported that the women were Christian tribals and were allegedly involved in religious conversion.
Viral Video on social media
The video of the incident was shared by Congress leader from Odisha, Amiya Pandav, on the social media platform X. In the video, the women were seen surrounded by a group of people. One of them was accusing the women of forcibly converting tribals to Christianity. The identity of the individual making the accusations is yet to be confirmed.
Tribal Christian women were tied in a tree by Male members of so called Hindu organization n their faces were disfigured on X Mass in Nilgiri of Balasore d home of BJP,MP Pratap Sarangi ! Attacks on Minorities Growing dangerously in Odisha @Ashok_Kashmir @irfhabib @zoo_bear pic.twitter.com/YfvjKF8PgG
— Amiya_Pandav ଅମିୟ ପାଣ୍ଡଵ Write n Fight (@AmiyaPandav) December 28, 2024
Counter complaints filed
According to media reports, two FIRs have been filed regarding the case at Nilagiri Police Station, Balasore. In the first FIR, the two women have been booked under Section 4 of the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 299 (deliberate and malicious insult of a religion), Section 3(5) (joint criminal liability), and Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation). The FIR has been registered on the complaint of Badal Kumar Panda from the Nilagiri area.
The second FIR has been registered on the complaint of the man who alleged that the women tied to the pole were his relatives and neighbours. He accused the group of villagers of abusing the women over their caste and assaulting them. In his complaint, he further accused the group of villagers of outraging the women’s modesty by dragging and tying them to a pillar.
3 Arrested In The Case Pertaining To Atrocities Committed Against 2 Women Who Were Tied To A Pole & Allegedly Assaulted In Balasore District @SPBalasore Raj Prasad gives details about the FIRs registered, arrests made by police & the notices issued pic.twitter.com/KZsbCYEMr9
— Soumyajit Pattnaik (@soumyajitt) December 29, 2024
10-15 individuals have been booked under sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the BNS.
Odisha Police statement in the matter
In a statement, Balasore Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj Prasad said, “A counter case has been filed; there was an allegation of forced conversion. A senior-level officer is investigating the matter. So far, three people have been arrested and produced before the court. We are taking stringent action and ensuring that there is no law-and-order situation in the area.” He added that the women were beaten up by a mob over allegations that they were attempting religious conversions of some tribal families.
VIDEO | Odisha: Here's what Balasore SP Raj Prasad said on two women being beaten up by a mob over the allegation that they were attempting religious conversion of some tribal families.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2024
"A counter case has been filed, there was an allegation of forced conversion. A senior level… pic.twitter.com/Ym3dK6tF9C
Politics over the incident
The incident has attracted reactions from politicians as well. National Secretary of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Manas Choudhary, condemned the incident and described it as a “shocking and inhumane” act. He wrote in a post on X, “Shocking and Inhumane Acts Against Tribal Christian Women in Nilgiri, Balasore. On Christmas Day, tribal Christian women were reportedly tied to a tree and disfigured by members of a so-called Hindu organisation in Nilgiri, Balasore, the home constituency of BJP MP PC Sarangi.”
Shocking and Inhumane Acts Against Tribal Christian Women in #Nilgiri, Balasore
— Manas choudhury (@ManasCOfficial) December 28, 2024
On #Christmas Day, tribal Christian women were reportedly tied to a tree and disfigured by members of a so-called Hindu organization in Nilgiri, Balasore the home constituency of BJP MP… https://t.co/xaXp61upgc pic.twitter.com/Bq2kqtTUye
He added, “Such horrific and targeted attacks on minorities in Odisha are deeply alarming and unacceptable. This incident is not just a violation of human rights but a stain on the secular fabric of our state and nation. The growing danger to minorities in Odisha demands immediate attention and action from the government, judiciary, and civil society. We stand in solidarity with the victims and demand strict action against the perpetrators. Let us ensure that Odisha remains a place where every community feels safe and respected.”
As of now, three people have been arrested for assaulting the women. On the other hand, a notice has been issued to the women requiring them to appear at the police station to participate in the investigation. Further investigations in both cases are underway.