Nine Detained for Allegedly Assaulting Pastor in Odisha Over Conversion Charges

• Nine individuals have been detained by Odisha Police in connection with the alleged assault of Pastor Bipin Naik in Dhenkanal district.
• The incident, which occurred on January 4 in the Parjang police station area, came to light after the pastor's wife filed a complaint.
• Pastor Naik was allegedly attacked by a group associated with Bajrang Dal, smeared with vermillion, paraded with a garland of shoes, and forced to bow before a temple.
• Dhenkanal SP Abhinav Sonkar confirmed investigation into the allegations but denied social media claims of the pastor being forced to drink drain water or consume cow dung.
• The case highlights a series of communal incidents in Odisha, with opposition parties and minority organizations criticizing the government's handling and alleged involvement of right-wing groups.

Why It Matters: Nine detained in Odisha for pastor assault amid rising communal tensions and political accusations.