The rising number of attacks on Christians in Rajasthan has raised serious concerns among civil society groups and minority communities. In just the month of September 2023, nine separate incidents of harassment, assault, or police intimidation against Christians have been reported across the state.
The most recent incident took place on September 23 in Pratap Nagar, Jaipur—a constituency represented by the Chief Minister himself. What should have been a routine visit by religious leaders to a Christian training institute quickly turned into a scene of fear, aggression, and misuse of police authority.
This has prompted civil society groups to issue a joint statement, condemning the violence, demanding justice, and urging the state government to uphold the rule of law and protect constitutional freedoms.
What happened at Hindustan Bible Institute in Jaipur?
The Hindustan Bible Institute (HBI) in Jaipur, established to train pastors and Christian leaders, has been functioning peacefully for years. But on the afternoon of September 23, around 3 PM, it was surrounded by nearly 50 members of the Bajrang Dal, who accused the institute of engaging in religious conversions.
At that time, two guests—one from HBI’s head office in Chennai and another from Bagidora, Banswara—were present at the institute for a scheduled inspection visit. Without any proof or official complaint, Bajrang Dal members began protesting aggressively, claiming the two were in Jaipur to carry out conversions.
Instead of protecting the visitors or dispersing the crowd, the local police from Pratap Nagar Thana detained the two HBI guests for “questioning.” Their mobile phones were seized. The police also confiscated the institute’s laptops, landline phone, pen drive, and even official documents, including property papers.
“The police took the two Guests from outstation HBI offices to the Police station in the name of enquiry and seized their phones as if they had committed a crime,” — Joint Civil Society Statement
This action—without any legal warrant or confirmed wrongdoing—has shocked many and highlighted the growing misuse of police power in religious matters.
Christian families living in fear
The HBI centre in Jaipur is run by two local Christian families, who were also present during the incident. Civil society members who later visited them reported that the families were shaken and afraid for their safety. They had simply been hosting two guests for an official inspection—something that any organisation does regularly. Yet, after this incident, they now live in fear of further targeting or retaliation, despite doing completely legal and constitutionally protected work.
“They were terrified as to what may befall them when they were doing absolute legal work under the Indian constitution,” — Delegation after meeting the HBI families
Second attack in CM’s own constituency in just three days
Shockingly, this wasn’t an isolated case. Just two days earlier, on Sunday, September 21, Pastor Daniel was attacked while leading a Christian mass in a private house in Pratap Nagar. His prayers were disrupted, and he was assaulted.
Despite protests by the local community, an FIR was registered only after several hours. As of now, no arrests have been made in that case either. Civil society leaders pointed out that both attacks occurred within the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Shamra’s constituency, showing a complete disregard for peace and communal harmony, even in areas under direct state leadership.
“This was the second incident in the CM’s constituency in three days,” — Civil Society Statement
The role of the anti-conversion bill: law or license to harass?
According to the joint statement, these incidents are not random—they are part of a larger pattern that began after the Anti-Conversion Bill was tabled and passed in the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha earlier in September.
Since then, nine incidents targeting Christians have been reported:
- 2 attacks in Dungarpur
- 1 in Alwar
- 2 in Jaipur (including the HBI incident and Pastor Daniel’s attack)
- 2 cases of police harassment in Kotputli-Behror district
- 2 incidents in Anupgarh, Hanumangarh, including a break-in at a children’s hostel and assault of two Christian staff
Civil society groups argue that the Anti-Conversion Bill has created a climate of suspicion and intolerance, where any religious gathering or activity is falsely framed as an attempt at forced conversion, leading to mob violence and police misuse.
Civil society responds: urging accountability and justice
In response to the Pratap Nagar incident, a delegation of civil society organisations met with DCP Sanjiv Nain, ACP Vinod Kumar Sharma, and SHO Manoj from Pratap Nagar Thana. The delegation included Sawai Singh, John Mathew, President of Jaipur Christian Fellowship (JCF), Father Vijay Pal Singh, Joint Secretary of JCF, Kavita Srivastava of the PUCL.
They condemned the police actions and mob aggression and demanded:
- Immediate release of the two HBI guests detained unlawfully
- Return of all confiscated items, including phones, laptops, and documents
- Arrest of the Bajrang Dal members responsible for the protest and disturbance
- Strict action to prevent further attacks on minorities
“Till strict action is not taken, such incidents will continue,” — Civil Society Delegation
United stand: who signed the statement?
The joint press statement was issued by multiple rights and minority organisations across Rajasthan, including Jaipur Christian Fellowship, Rajasthan Samagra Sewa Sangh, PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties), APCR (Association for Protection of Civil Rights), Rajasthan Baudh Maha Sangh, NFIW (National Federation of Indian Women), AIDWA (All India Democratic Women’s Association), Daman Pratirodh Andolan, Rajasthan, Buddhist Society of India, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Rajasthan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Dalit Muslim Ekta Manch.
This shows that the issue is not just about Christians, but about the broader erosion of civil rights and religious freedoms in the state.
An urge for rule of law, not rule of fear
The repeated attacks, police overreach, and growing fear among Christian families in Rajasthan are more than isolated incidents—they represent a systemic problem that is threatening India’s constitutional values. If religious minorities cannot carry out their daily prayers or official inspections without being accused, detained, or threatened, then the rule of law itself stands compromised.
The civil society groups are clear in their message: This must stop. Now.
“Such communal incidents and attacks on minorities need to stop now,” — Joint Statement
They call upon the Rajasthan government to act decisively—not just to protect the rights of one community, but to preserve the secular, democratic fabric of India.
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