Anti-Christian hate crimes up 40.87 percent in India: Report

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Hate Crimes against Christians in India have risen by an alarming 40.87 percent, even at a time when the nation was under Covid-19 lockdown. Persecution Relief’s half yearly report of 2020 has on record 293 cases of hate crimes against Christians, including five rapes and six murders. In the same months of 2019 Persecution Relief had recorded 208 such incidents. From January 2016- June 2020, Persecution Relief states that they have recorded more than 2067 cases where Christians have been attacked in India.

According to Persecution Relief. “Hostility against the Christian minority in India, is at an all time high” and that the cases chronicled in their latest report are only a “fraction of actual violence perpetuated and reported on ground.” According to Shibu Thomas who heads the organisation that chronicles hate crimes against the community and works to help the victims, there has been a surge in Christian persecution in the past three months.

They have recorded that hate crimes have been committed against Christians in 22 States/Union Territories.

Six murders, allegedly “influenced by religious bigotry” were reported from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. However Uttar Pradesh led the tally with 63 hate crimes against Christians, stated the report. Tamil Nadu had 28 cases, Chhattisgarh had 22, Jharkhand had 21 cases and Karnataka had 20 cases of alleged crimes against the Christian community.

According to Shibu Thomas, “This frightening and contagious crusade of religious nationalism and intolerance has now peaked at new inhuman altitudes.” He stated that in the past seven years, India has risen to No. 10 on ‘Open Doors’ World Watch List, ranking just behind Iran in persecution severity. This year, the USCIRF listed India as a CPC (Country of Particular Concern).

The report may be read here: