The appeal focuses attention on a recent incident in Chhattisgarh where Kunika Kashyap, a six-month pregnant Tribal woman, suffered a miscarriage after being attacked for her Christian faith. The incident occurred on January 2, 2025, when she was assaulted by the village headman and his family members for praying for a sick relative.

The letter documents numerous cases of violence against Christian women across several states:

• In Chhattisgarh: Multiple incidents of physical violence, including killings and false accusations leading to judicial remand
• In Jharkhand: Cases of ostracism, isolation, and forced religious conversions
• In Manipur: Ongoing crisis since May 2023, with documented cases of murder, sexual violence, and displacement
• In Punjab and Tamil Nadu: Reports of forced sex work, family abuse, and community ostracism

The appeal emphasizes that these attacks represent a deliberate campaign of persecution that threatens both religious freedom and constitutional rights. The signatories have requested the President’s intervention to ensure:

• Prompt investigation of all reported cases
• Protection for vulnerable Christian women
• Action against perpetrators
• Implementation of constitutional safeguards

Prominent signatories include Mrs. Tingneviah Lotzem, Virginia Saldanha (Indian Women Theologians’ Forum), Dr. Anitha Chettiar (Institute of Social Service), Dr. Vandana Benjamin (National Women’s President, Alpha Omega Christian Mahasangh), Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ (Human Rights and Peace Activist/Writer), Dr. John Dayal (Former Member, Prime Minister National Integration Council), Rev. Dr. Richard Howell (Chairman, Evangelical Church of God), Bishop Akhilesh Edgar (General Secretary, Council of Evangelical Churches in India), and Rev. Vijayesh Lal (General Secretary, Evangelical Fellowship of India), among other distinguished leaders. The appeal has been endorsed by over 460 Christian leaders, community members, and civil society representatives from across the nation.

“These systematic attacks demonstrate an alarming pattern of targeted violence that threatens our community’s existence. This cannot be dismissed as merely an ethnic conflict – the coordinated destruction of religious institutions and organized attacks on Christians reveals a deliberate campaign of persecution that strikes at the heart of our constitutional guarantees of religious freedom,” the appeal states.

Related:

Christians face escalating attacks as far-right Hindu groups intensify persecution

Tensions rise as Chhattisgarh sees frequent attacks on Christians

United Christian Forum: Average two Christians attacked in India every day, 287 incidents reported from UP itself

The post Persecution of Christians: Women leaders appeal to President Murmu appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On 25^th December 2024 in Mahuva, Gujarat, members of VHP and Bajrang Dal disrupted the Christmas prayers by halting the service, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa also alleging that they have not got required permission for conducting prayers, as per a report in the Times of India.

A day after Christmas (26^th December) in Odisha, two tribal women (in their forties) named Subhasini Singh and Sukanti Singh were beaten up and the mob smeared the cake which the women have alleged to have bought for celebrating the conversion of Gobind Singh onto one of the women’s face and raised slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram”

The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking media report from Balasore, Odisha, where two tribal women were tied to a tree and assaulted on suspicion of religious conversion. FIRs have reportedly been registered against both the women and their assaulters.

The Commission…

— NCW (@NCWIndia) December 30, 2024

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.

“A counter case has been filed, there was an allegation of forced conversion. A senior level… pic.twitter.com/Ym3dK6tF9C

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2024

Odisha Congress spokesperson Amiya Pandab reacted to it by describing the incident as shameful and it’s the testimony to the deteriorating law and order situation in state. “What is even more shameful is that such atrocities are being committed against women, that too, tribal women who are among the most vulnerable. Remember the chief minister himself hails from the tribal community and so does the president of our country who comes from Mayurbhanj district”

The Wire reported that Latika Pradhan, a former MLA for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), said that the state’s BJP-led government was posing a greater threat to women and minorities, among other vulnerable groups. “Everywhere, they are constantly in danger. There is a statute in place to deal with individuals who engage in unlawful conversions. However, criminals shouldn’t be permitted to enforce the law on their own. Pradhan said that previous chief minister and current opposition leader Naveen Patnaik always supported secular ideals and went out of his way to safeguard minorities, saying, “This is vigilante justice, which is just not acceptable.”

As per a report in the New Indian Express, the National commission on women has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident. It has directed the DGP of the state to ensure fair investigation and to restore law and order in the state.

On December 27, in Uttar Pradesh, which has often been described as a hotspot for fascist and communal forces, members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal allegedly tonsured a Christian Dalit man, forcibly applied sandalwood paste and vermillion to his forehead, and paraded him through the village. They accused him of engaging in religious conversions, forcibly reconverted him to Hinduism, and raised slogans such as “Jesus Murdabad”.

On December 27, in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal forcibly shaved the head of a Christian Dalit man and paraded him through the village, accusing him of promoting religious conversions. They later forcibly converted him back to Hinduism at a temple,… pic.twitter.com/e8IFF7Ehr9

— The Observer Post (@TheObserverPost) December 29, 2024

Apart from these prominent incidences, one Mr. Afroz Alam Sahil in an article dated 28-12-2024 “Weaponization of Festivals in India: Attacks on Rise During Christmas” in Beyond Headlines captures the hate crimes against Christians happened during this Christmas season in almost 10 states: Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Burhanpur (Madya Pradesh), Etah (Uttar Pradesh), Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh), Hydrabad (Telungana), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), Jaunpur (Rajasthan), Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Manipur, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Palakkad (Kerala), Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Rohtak (Haryana), Siddharthnagar (Uttar Pradesh), Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh), Surat (Gujarat), Tapi (Gujarat), Telungana, Thrissur (Kerala), Unnao (Uttar Pradesh)

Above incidents show that Muslims are not the only minority community facing persecution in India. Christians, who form 2.4% of the total population, are also caught in the venomous tentacles of Hindu extremists. On October 2, 2024, just two months prior to these mischiefs, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report containing shocking revelations about religious freedom in India. In 2024 alone, there were 161 reported attacks on Christians, including assaults on churches and prayer meetings.

As per the USCIRF report, Hindu militants in Assam, targeted Catholic schools, demanding the removal of Christian symbols, such as the cross. The Modi government has also wielded draconian laws, like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), to target civil society organizations. Since 2012, over 20,000 NGOs—many of them religious—have had their licenses revoked under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). This law has been used as another instrument of repression. In 2024 alone, five significant Christian charities, including the Church of North India and the Evangelical Fellowship of India, saw their work drastically curtailed after losing their licenses. The USCIRF has urged the U.S. government to declare India a “country of particular concern” due to its persistent abuses of religious freedom. Such a designation would place India alongside nations like China and North Korea, potentially exposing it to sanctions.

Indian judiciary too at times encouraged these hate mongers thereby contributing to the unabated rise religious intolerance in India. One of such infamous attempts includes the quashing of criminal case against two individuals accused of shouting “Jai Shree Ram” slogans inside mosque, Karnataka High Court while dismissing the case recorded that mere chanting of “Jai Shree Ram” inside a mosque doesn’t outrage the religious feelings of that community, as reported in LiveLaw.

Related:

Anti-Christians Widespread hate events on the eve of X’mas, Punjab, UP, Kerala, Rajasthan

Escalating violence sparks concerns as attacks targeting Christians surge in Chhattisgarh

The post X’mas Eve becomes the target for Hindu extremists appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Similarly, in Ludhiana, Punjab, local political leader Sonu Singh Rajput confronted a Christian pastor conducting prayers in a private home, accusing him of religious conversion. This attack, under the guise of “protecting traditions,” highlights a troubling trend of using the holiday season to harass religious minorities.

In Rajasthan, protests have erupted in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, where VHP leaders and Bajrang Dal activists have targeted schools for celebrating Christmas. They accuse the institutions of promoting religious conversions, with protests escalating to the destruction of event posters and public displays of hostility. Meanwhile, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, a controversy has unfolded over dressing the idol of Lord Laddu Gopal in a Christmas outfit, with right-wing groups condemning it as an attack on Hindu traditions.

These incidents reflect a growing wave of religious intolerance, where Christmas celebrations are increasingly seen not as a cultural or religious event, but as a battleground for wider political and communal struggles.

Palakkad, Kerala: two VHP leader arrested

On December 22, 2024, in Palakkad, Kerala, the peaceful celebration of Christmas at a government school was marred by the actions of three local activists from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. A group of activists, led by Vadakkumthara K Anilkumar, Manamkuzhi Sushasanan, and Thekkumuri Velayudhan, stormed the Government Upper Primary School in Nallepilly. They verbally abused the headmistress and teachers, questioning the celebration of Christmas while insisting that other religious festivals like Sri Krishna Jayanthi should also be given equal importance.

According to Indian Express, VHP leaders accused the school of promoting one religion over others and disrupted the Christmas carols, questioning why the children and teachers were dressed in Christmas attire. The situation escalated as the trio intimidated the staff and students with aggressive language, creating a tense and hostile atmosphere. The police quickly intervened, and the three activists were arrested, charged with disrupting public duties and making threats. The accused VHP leaders were booked under BNS sections 329 (3), 296 (b) and 351 (2) and 132, said police. The school’s PTA president K Muraleedharan said such an incident should not have happened at a school in Kerala.

The state BJP leadership, while attempting to court the Christian vote ahead of elections, remained conspicuously silent about the incident, leaving many to question their stance on religious tolerance.

Ludhiana, Punjab: political leader harasses Christian pastor

In Punjab’s Ludhiana, Christmas celebrations also faced opposition, not from religious extremists but from political figures. On December 20, 2024, Sonu Singh Rajput, a local Congress leader, confronted a Christian pastor who was conducting prayers at a family’s home. Rajput accused the pastor of attempting religious conversion and insisted that such prayers would not be permitted in the area.

 

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This confrontation highlights a worrying trend where the festive season is being used as an opportunity to attack religious minorities under the guise of ‘protecting’ traditions. While the harassment of a pastor praying in a private home may seem trivial to some, it represents a broader issue of how the public space is increasingly becoming unsafe for people to freely practice their religion, even in the privacy of their homes. Rajput’s actions reveal an atmosphere of fear and suspicion surrounding minority religious practices in regions where political leaders fuel communal discord for personal gain.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: opposition to Christmas celebrations in Schools

On December 23, 2024, a delegation of VHP functionaries met with the Jaisalmer district collector, registering their protest against what they deemed “conversion attempts and religious disrespect” by missionary schools. The delegation expressed concern over schools organizing Christmas programs and dressing students as Santa Claus, arguing that such practices promoted religious conversion.

Lalu Singh Sodha, the VHP’s district secretary, accused the schools of indoctrinating students with Christian ideologies and using the festive occasion to push religious conversions. The VHP’s opposition to Christmas festivities is not just about the religious aspect but also the cultural significance it holds in schools across India. He said that “Despite the schools here having 98% Hindu students, festivals such as Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Diwali, Holi and Raksha Bandhan are not observed,” as Times of India reported.

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: anger over Laddu Gopal’s Christmas outfit

In the holy city of Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, right-wing leaders have raised a storm over a seemingly harmless act: dressing the idol of Lord Laddu Gopal in a Christmas outfit. Kanhaiya Agarwal, the president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad in Mathura, has publicly condemned the practice, calling it an attack on Hindu traditions. According to Agarwal, dressing Lord Krishna’s idol in Christmas attire was an attempt at religious conversion and an insult to Sanatan Dharma.

Mathura-Vrindavan is a sacred site for millions of Hindus who visit to worship Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. The dressing of the Laddu Gopal idol in Santa Claus outfits, some argue, symbolizes a broader attempt by missionary groups to merge Hindu and Christian symbols, which they see as undermining the purity of their traditions. While others see this as a harmless cultural exchange, it has ignited deep anger and division among the locals.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have called for an immediate halt to the sale of such outfits and warned that their activists would take action to prevent the further “desecration” of Hindu deities.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan: Bajrang Dal protest against Christmas celebration in School

In Jodhpur, Rajasthan, a Bajrang Dal protest on December 23, 2024, turned into an act of aggression against a Christmas program in a private school. Protesters tore down and burned posters advertising the event, citing concerns over religious conversions being promoted under the guise of Christmas celebrations. The Bajrang Dal activists gathered outside the Siwanchi Gate school, demanding an end to what they called the “conversion agenda” of Christian schools.

 

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The incident reflects an increasing suspicion among certain groups towards the Christian community’s motives during the holiday season. The burning of posters, the disruption of school events, and the fear of conversion are all tactics being used to enforce a strict divide between religious communities.

However, the increasing wave of opposition to Christmas celebrations across India is a deeply concerning development that threatens the communal harmony and mutual understanding that have long defined the country’s diverse cultural fabric. From Kerala to Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, right-wing groups have targeted the festive season, disrupting school events, harassing religious figures, and spreading unfounded accusations of religious conversion.

Related:

“This was a sad Christmas”, say India’s Christians, navigating the shadows of hatred

Anti-Christian violence: Opening of a church resisted, police raids aid the rightwing

Alarming rise in violence against Christians in India as G20 Summit takes centre stage

The post Christmas under siege: right-wing target Christmas celebrations across states, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala appeared first on SabrangIndia.

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY CLOSE TO 200 PEOPLE INCLUDING : Tushar Gandhi, Annie Raja, Father Cedric Prakash, John Dayal, Prakash Louis, Pamela Philipose, Brinelle D’souza, Aloysius Irudayam, Shabnam Hashmi, Lisa Pires, Minakshi Singh , Abha Bhaiya, and Vinod Pande.

The persecution of Christians in India has been a growing concern over the past few years. According to various reports, there has been a significant increase in violence and harassment against Christians, particularly in rural areas.

One of the main reasons attributed to this alarming rise in persecution is the resurgence of Hindutva nationalism, which has led to an increase in anti-minorities sentiment, specially targeting Christians and Muslims. Many religious nationalist groups, such as the Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), have been accused of inciting violence against Christians across many states.

According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), there were 327 incidents of violence against Christians in 2021 alone.

In 2022, over 300 attacks against Christians were reported across the country, with many incidents going unreported . The United Christian Forum (UCF) reported 486 incidents of anti-Christian violence in 2022, including 115 incidents of physical violence and 357 incidents of intimidation and harassment. The UCF monitored trend listed 127 incidents in the year 2014, when the Modi government took over power.

Presently, January 2024 to November 2024, India has recorded 745 incidents of Christian citizens being attacked for their faith.

Churches and Christian institutions have been specifically targeted in many incidents. In 2021, at least 15 churches were vandalized or set on fire across India . In 2022, several churches were attacked, including a church in Delhi that was vandalized by a group of Hindu extremists. The May 3rd Manipur riots witnessed the destruction of over 200 churches and countless lives lost.

These incidents of anti-Christian violence have been linked to Hindu nationalist groups, which have been accused of receiving support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ¹. The Indian government has been criticized for not doing enough to protect the rights of Christians and other minority groups.

The persecution of Christians in India has raised concerns internationally. In 2021, at least 17 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, cosponsored a Congressional briefing to request the US Government to take action against the growing persecution of Christians in India .

In 2021, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) placed India on its “Countries of Particular Concern” list, citing the country’s “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” persecution of religious minorities .

Simultaneously, 13 state governments have now enacted anti-conversion bills, which are being blatantly abused to wreak havoc on the lives of Christian citizens.

It’s surprising that despite the growing persecution of Christians, prominent members of the Christian hierarchy have chosen to engage with Prime Minister Modi, who has been criticized for his inaction in protecting the rights of Christians. Mr Modi has been seen in recent days with members of the hierarchy at Christmas programmes. He is being invited on 23 December 2024 by the CBCI at a Christmas celebration in New Delhi.

We see this as an attempt by senior institutional leaders of the Christian community to legitimise the government’s inaction on Christian persecution.

We call upon the Christian leadership to voice these concerns and hold the prime minister as head of the government  accountable for the protection of Christians in India. Symbolic gestures do little to address the issue hatred generated against the community, and the resultant targeted violence, harassment,  arrests, and incidents of ostracization in several parts of the country.

The post Missing the Mark: Inviting PM Modi to a Christmas Reception Ignores the Plight of Persecuted Christians appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Greetings of peace, love, joy and hope- to each one of you, as you prepare to celebrate my birth once again!

I have just come across an invitation, that some of you are planning to celebrate my birthday on 23 December 2024, in Delhi.A great idea indeed – congrats!! My birth as the Saviour of the world must be celebrated! Do go ahead and enjoy yourselves. However, I must confess that your choice of Chief Guest at my birthday party, confuses me tremendously; in fact, I am aghast! Obviously, you will point fingers to me and say to me that during my life on this earth, I was wining and dining with tax- collectors and prostitutes and damned sinners of every hue on the horizon. I have absolutely no doubt that you would conveniently say this to me. Besides, you would also take me on my own words, unhesitatingly quoting me, “I have come for the sinner…!”

Having said this, I would like to state clearly, strongly and unambiguously:

For my birthday, you are organising in my name, INVITE as Chief Guest…the small farmer/s. You are aware of the suffering that they have been subject to. Their lands have been snatched away from them; they are given a raw deal for the crops they produce; they are being denied a just Minimum Support Price(MSP). Remember the four anti- small farmer laws which are currently in cold storage, designed to help the big corporates who have already built huge granaries? Even today several small farmers are fasting, they want their voice to be heard. I would have been delighted if you had invited one of them for my birthday and given them a voice to express woes, just listened to them. You seem to forget that the first to be invited to celebrate my birthday were the Shepherds. they were the Chief Guests- poor and simple, excluded and exploited, living on the peripheries.They came in haste to worship me! Mummy Mary and Papa Joseph had time for them and received them with the warmth, love and joy which so profoundly defined that first Christmas night.

For my birthday, you are organising in my name, INVITE as Chief Guest…the Human Rights Defender/ s. Umar Khalid, Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and others. My Father had a clear plan, he chose the Magi, the ones who were relentlessly pursuing the truth; the ones who had the courage to follow the Star, despite all odds. The Magi took a stand against the wiles of Herod and refused to toe his line and fall into the trap of his machinations. They took a visible and vocal stand for truth and justice, as they took a calculated decision to go home by another route. There are so many Human Rights defenders who are silenced, hounded and harassed, incarcerated and even killed. Remember our beloved late Fr Stan Swamy? How nice if one of these, who so meaningfully epitomise the spirit of the Gospel, wasaccorded the pride of place at my birthday party!

For my birthday, you are organising in my name, INVITE as Chief Guest …a peacemaker; someone who has the courage to internalise and actualise peace, justice, harmony, joy and fraternity. There are millions of them in India today – simple, ordinary, voiceless, sensitive people who have a genuine concern for others. who reach out to others. That first Christmas night, the angels sang in one voice, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” On his first Christmas as the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis referred to thesong of the angels as “a song that unites heaven and earth.”. He invited everyone to join in this little song. He called it “a song for every man or woman who keeps watch through the night, who hopes for a better world, who cares for others while humbly seeking to do his or her duty.” Pope Francis said, “the song of the angels gives praise and glory to heaven, while at the same time promising peace to earth and all its people.” It is indeed, a song of peace.

For my birthday, you are organising in my name, INVITE as Chief Guest, …the ‘other’! Remember the people of Egypt? Theyprovided me, my Mum and my Dad with shelter, safety and security. They accorded us a warm welcome. They treated us as one like them, integrated us in their society, gave us all that we needed. It was not easy being refugees, strangers/ foreigners from a distant land. Today we tend to discard these very people so easily. They are discriminated against, their houses are bull-dozed and the most derogatory language is being used against them. My mother always wore a hijab – it was an integral part of her culture and tradition. Today we have reached the lowest rung of pettiness as we determine what one should wear and eat, see and read. It would be an excellent choice to have one of them as the Chief Guest at my birthday party!

For my birthday, you are organising in my name, INVITE as Chief Guest …a tribal/ an Adivasi. The indigenous peoples are the soul of a nation. The natives – the original inhabitants of the land. Their jal, jungle, jameen – all their natural resources are being snatched away from them. Their identity is being destroyed. Actually, having a Kuki-zo tribal from Manipur, would be ideal. Since early May 2023, they have been bruised brutalised and battered; most of them have lost everything. Many are dead, others just surviving in make-shift refugee camps. Their plight is terrible, unbelievable – a classic case of man’s inhumanity to man. Imagine how wonderful it would be if one of them was invited to be the Chief Guest!

For my birthday, you are organising in my name, INVITE as Chief Guest …the poor and the vulnerable: there are so many of them in the country today: the casual labourers, the migrant workers, the fisher folk and other indigenous coastal people, the vegetable vendors and slum- dwellers, the ones who are trafficked,the unemployed, the Dalits, the OBCs, the women and those from the LGBTQIA+ community, the bonded persons and abused children. the list is endless indeed. Besides you forget that I am born a Palestinian – wow it would have been terrific to have a Palestinian as the Chief Guest and take a stand against the ruthlessness of the Israeli fascists

Sadly, you seem to miss the spirit and message of Christmas – as you concentrate on power, privilege, position, possessions and pride. One can never invite someone as Chief guest, who has tried to destroy the sanctity of the Constitution, prevented people from freely practising and propagation one’s religion and even suffocated freedom of speech and expression. Lies, corruption, hate and violence are mainstreamed in the country today.Minorities and other vulnerable sections of society are at the receiving end of a brutal regime. Don’t fool yourselves; this is neither dialogue nor meaningful interactions.

I took a stand against the Caesars, Pilates and Herods of my time. Can you learn from me? You forget that my birth took place in a stable. I am aware that you will do absolutely nothing to change things. That is the tragedy! Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in  ‘God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas’ reminds us, “Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honour, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.”

Finally, enjoy yourself! Sorry, in conscience, I will NOT be in your midst! But of course, you will NOT even invite me for the birthday bash you are organising in my name! No problem! I prefer to be with those, I have truly come for- the least, the lost and the last! Happy Christmas!

Your brother, friend and Saviour,

Jesus Christ

December 21, 2024

(The author is a renowned human rights, reconciliation and peace activist and writer.)

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author’s personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sabrangindia.

Note: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) at its headquarters in the national capital on Monday, according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Sunday.

This event marks the first time a prime minister will participate in a programme at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India, the release noted.

The post For my birthday, ‘you are organising in my name,’ a point of order: Christmas invite to PM Modi appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The United Christian Forum (UCF), which monitors hate crimes against Christians, noted that violence against the community has seen an alarming rise. In 2023, as per their report, over 687 incidents of violence were documented against Christians, depicting that an average of two Christians is attacked every day in India. The UCF report had contained incidents ranging from vandalism of churches to outright harassment and detention of Christians for holding prayer meetings. The issue has taken a political turn, with laws such as the anti-conversion legislation—present in several states—being used as tools to silence and intimidate Christian communities, despite the fact that religious conversions, particularly forced ones, are a rare phenomenon in India.

Furthermore, another recent report by the UCF documented 161 incidents in the first 75 days of 2024, with January 2024 witnessing 70 reported cases, followed by 62 in February, and 29 in the first half of March alone. The report highlighted that burial rights denied to families even as fabricated cases have seen over 100 Indian Christians arrested. Furthermore, according to the report, 122 pastors and other Christians from the community have been arrested so far on charges of religious conversion.

As per the said report, Chhattisgarh emerges as the state with the highest number of reported assaults against Christians and has recorded a shocking number 47 incidents. Sabrang India had also reported on March 14 how Chhattisgarh has witnessed rising attacks against Christians. Following closely behind was Uttar Pradesh which has, according to the press release, seen 36 incidents of violence against Christians.

Between October 13 and October 20, 2024, five distinct incidents across various states painted a grim picture of the escalating persecution of Christians in India. Each incident unfolded in a similar pattern: a peaceful Christian gathering was disrupted, claims of religious conversions were made, local Hindu nationalist groups intervened, and the police either failed to act impartially or were complicit in the harassment.

Details about the incidents:

October 13, Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh

On October 13, an incident unfolded in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where police disrupted a Christian prayer meeting after a complaint was filed by Sarvesh Singh, the president of the National Gau Raksha Vahini. Singh, who is associated with a group notorious for its vigilante actions under the pretext of cow protection, accused the Christian gathering of engaging in conversions. In response, the police arrested a couple and detained several attendees, showing an immediate bias towards the complainant’s accusations without any prior investigation. This event follows a broader trend of Christians being targeted during religious gatherings in Uttar Pradesh, a state governed by a leadership known for its alignment with Hindutva ideology. In this charged environment, accusations of conversions are enough to disrupt lives, regardless of their veracity.

October 13, Jagatsinghpur, Odisha

Odisha, a state with a long history of communal tensions against Christians, has seen growing incidents of anti-Christian violence in recent years. In the district of Jagatsinghpur, members of the Bajrang Dal raided a Christian prayer meeting, accusing the attendees of engaging in religious conversions. The attackers threatened extreme violence, including beating the Christians to death, and even went as far as to threaten to strip the participants—a brutal attempt to humiliate them for practicing their faith. Though the attackers were handed over to the police, their boldness reflects a belief in their immunity from legal consequences, especially since incidents of this nature are rarely followed by strong action from law enforcement. Instead of protecting the victims, the focus often shifts to investigating baseless claims of conversion, leaving Christians vulnerable to repeated attacks.

October 17, Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh

The hostility against Christians in rural India often comes in subtle but persistent forms, making it clear that they are considered outsiders. In Dhamtari, a Christian family seeking to perform a burial ceremony for a deceased loved one was met with resistance from members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. The two groups protested against the burial, arguing that Christians should not have the right to use the village cemetery, despite the fact that Christians have lived in the village for generations. The extremists demanded that the body be buried outside the village limits, and it was only after the local administration intervened that the burial was allowed to proceed. However, the family had to concede to the extremists’ demands and bury the deceased outside the village. This denial of basic rights like burial underscores the deep prejudice faced by Christians in rural communities, where far-right groups operate with impunity, enforcing their own social codes.

October 17, Saharsa, Bihar

The anti-Christian sentiment in Bihar has been on the rise, and the events in Saharsa further reflect this disturbing trend. VHP activists, accompanied by the local police, disrupted a Christian prayer meeting, confiscating religious items including Bibles and other Christian literature. A pastor was detained as well. This incident is a striking example of how local law enforcement often acts in tandem with Hindu nationalist groups, carrying out raids that target peaceful religious gatherings. By confiscating religious texts and arresting leaders of the Christian community, the state not only violates the constitutional right to religious freedom but also sends a chilling message that Christians are not welcome to worship freely in their own country.

October 20, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh

In Amethi, a district known for its political significance, the police raided the home of a Christian family after local villagers complained about alleged religious conversions taking place under the guise of prayer meetings. The raid, based on unverified allegations, resulted in the detention of three members of the family. It is worth noting that Uttar Pradesh has become a hotbed for incidents where far-right groups, emboldened by the anti-conversion laws in the state, accuse Christians of coercing others into adopting their faith. These accusations rarely hold up under scrutiny, but the damage is already done, as families are subjected to raids, public humiliation, and legal battles. The arrest of individuals based on unsubstantiated claims points to a broader strategy to intimidate and weaken religious minorities, using the state apparatus to facilitate harassment.

Widespread implications: A threat to India’s secular fabric

These incidents are not isolated; they are part of a broader narrative of rising religious intolerance and shrinking space for minorities, particularly religious minorities such as Christians. The concerted efforts of Hindu nationalist groups to monitor, disrupt, and attack Christian gatherings are indicative of a larger strategy to suppress religious diversity. The central issue in all these cases is the allegation of religious conversions, a charge frequently used to justify violence. However, this claim often lacks evidence, and in most instances, peaceful prayer meetings are falsely accused of being conversion drives.

The complicity of local police and the tacit support of political figures associated with right-wing ideologies fuel this atmosphere of fear. State governments, particularly those led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have emboldened these groups by either remaining silent or actively pushing anti-conversion laws that disproportionately target Christians and other religious minorities. Anti-conversion laws, present in over eight Indian states, provide the legal cover for extremists to launch attacks under the pretence of protecting Hinduism from external threats.

This state-backed aggression threatens not just Christians but the constitutional values of religious freedom and secularism, which India has long prided itself on. The sheer frequency of these incidents—at least five in just one week—points to a deeply rooted problem, where vigilante justice has become normalised, and religious persecution is institutionalised. This dangerous escalation threatens to tear apart India’s pluralistic social fabric, as the line between religion and politics continues to blur, with minorities paying the heaviest price.

The week spanning mid-October 2024 serves as a grim reminder of the growing intolerance faced by Christians in India. As far-right Hindu groups intensify their campaign of harassment and violence, the state’s silence, and in some cases, its participation, further emboldens these actors. The police’s involvement in these attacks is particularly alarming, as it reflects a breakdown of legal protections for religious minorities. If India is to preserve its democratic and secular identity, it must hold these groups accountable and ensure that law enforcement acts in the interest of justice, not ideology. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of India’s Constitution, and its erosion threatens the very foundations of the nation’s democracy. The international community and civil society must urgently address this rising tide of religious persecution before it escalates further, pushing India into deeper religious conflict.

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In the memorandum dated July 20, 2024 and signed by the national president of United Christian Forum (New Delhi), Dr. Michael Williams, the Forum submitted its grievances to Minority Affairs minister, Kiren Rijiju, against increased violence and hostility against Christian community in India. It noted that in 2023, a total of 733 incidents of violence against Christians were reported to it, with an average of 61 incidents per month. It said the figures only includes incidents reported to it over the calls, and excludes any incidents from Manipur, which is embroiled in ethnic violence since May 2023. It also said that as of June this year, 361 incidents targeting Christians have already been reported to the Forum. Incidentally, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh have emerged as the leading states in targeted violence against Christians, with 96 and 92 incidents reported from these states, respectively.

The memorandum has categorised incidents into four categories, namely, “Violent Attacks”, “Violence against Scheduled Tribes in Bastar Region, Chhattisgarh”, “False complaints and Third-party complaints”, and “Police Complicity and Failure to Verify the Veracity of The Incident”. The memorandum citing the PUCL report, “Criminalising Practice of Faith”, provided details about several reported incidents of targeted violence against the minority community, and said that on many occasions police would collude with Hindutva groups to turn blind eye towards atrocities committed against them, and instead register cases against members of the minority community under IPC Sections 295A and 298 (outraging religious feelings). It also tried to corelate the increase in attacks on Christians with the enactment of anti-conversion laws, and further said that when actual crimes are committed against minorities due to religious reasons, the police would often register cases under property or personal dispute to brush aside the issue of hate crimes.

Violent Attacks

The Forum cited several instances of physical attacks on their community, especially from Chhattisgarh. For example, it said that on “May 4, 2024, Kosa from Kapanar, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Darbha; Bastar, Chhattisgarh, was tragically murdered by his relatives due to his Christian faith during a village celebration…Despite the urgent pleas of Kosa’s wife, Kosa was brutally attacked and fatally injured, while his wife was assaulted and subsequently hospitalized.” The memorandum notes that while the police registered an FIR in the case, it framed it as a land dispute instead of “religious persecution”.

Violence against Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh

The memorandum observed that “series of attacks displacing Adivasi Christians” have taken place in Chhattisgarh since December 2022 and Adivasi Christians have been threaten to denounce Christian faith and convert to the Hindu religion. Giving example of one such incident, it said that “on January 2, 2023, three Adivasi Christian women in Narayanpur were stripped naked publicly and physically assaulted in a bid to force them to give up their Christian faith.” In another incident it cited, a person along with his family members from Bastar was denied a burial rights for his Christian mother, Pando, and were asked by the villagers to undergo Gharwapsi (reconversion to Hinduism). The complaint in this regard was filed with the Superintendent of Police (SP), the Inspector General (IG), and the collector of Bastar but without much avail, and it took the family to reach the High Court to secure their burial rights.

Lawfare: False Complaints and Third-party complaints

The United Christian Forum (UCF) was severely critical of false cases filed against members of Christian community in the name of illegal religious conversion and accused the Hindutva groups of filing malicious cases against them. It said that recent amendments to the State Freedom of Religion Acts allow only person directly affected by forcible conversion to file the complaint, but the in practice, police have often registered cases and acted on it following the third-party complaints registered by Hindutva fringe elements. Referring to the Article 14 study, the Forum said that the analysis of over 100 FIRs filed under Uttar Pradesh’s the anti-conversion law reveals that 63 of these were registered after third-party complaints and 26 came from extremist groups.

To illustrate its case, the memorandum read that “On August 20, 2023, Santosh Nishad from Maharzajganj District in Uttar Pradesh was hosting a prayer gathering and get-together at his house when a group of approximately 10 individuals trespassed his property and physically assaulted him, accusing him of engaging in fraudulent religious conversions. On the evening of August 21, Pastor Santosh was taken into custody at the Nichlaul police station. An FIR bearing number 0410/2023 was registered under IPC sections 323 and 506 and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 leading to his imprisonment.”

Police complicity and failure to verify the veracity of the incident

The Forum accused police authorities of acting at behest of Hindutva forces aimed at targeting the minorities and registering false cases without checking the authenticity of the claims. It remarked that while false cases linger years in courts, the weaponisation of anti-conversion laws by police and mob meant growing legal costs, resulting in “undue violation of the right to life and liberty.” In one such example, it said that the Uttar Pradesh police registered an FIR on the complaint of Bajrang Dal leader on November 23, 2022, naming Harkhuram and Achhelal as the accused in the case registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021,  even though Harkhuram had passed away 12 years ago.

Conclusion

Even as the Forum highlighted the grievous violence and atrocities that have been committed against the Christian community, it also suggested several “recommends” to Kiran Rijiju to take remedial actions to ameliorate the situation. Its recommendations include: training on human rights and religious freedom standards and practices to the state and central police and judiciary; central government advisory to state governments to repeal the anti-conversion laws; an active and operational Commission for Human Rights and Commission for Minorities in every state with transparency in appointment of its members; strict judicial follow up on cases involving atrocities against members of minority communities, ensuring dialogue between different stakeholders to address genuine cases of fraudulent conversions, adequate compensation for victims of targeted religious violence, financial assistance to missionary schools, and implementation of the recommendation of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities to remove religious criteria for determining eligibility for Scheduled Caste membership.

Memorandum can be read here.

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As per the New Indian Express, locals have stated that they suspect that the vandalism was intended to create a ruckus and disturb the peace in the area. After learning of the incident, a team from the Cantonment police had arrived at the scene and initiated an investigation. An officer told the media that the cause of the violence is not yet discovered.

In March, Sabrang India has tracked how  a bomb was hurled from a nearby flyover  after at Sadar Mosque evening prayers in Sambalpur. It had struck two people and a motorcycle outside the mosque. The bomb had been concealed in a box labelled with the Instagram handle ‘sbp mafiya gang.’ A day after the incident, the police arrested a 19-year-old Abhilash Mishra of Sunaripara in Bada Bazar under Town police limits in relation to the incident.

Rise of vigilante incidents in Odisha?

On April 7, as per Hate Detectors, an account that tracks hate crimes in India, Odisha’s Cuttack saw two  men attacked by cow vigilantes while they were travelling through an area in an autorickshaw. The attackers forced the men to chant “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. This incident occurred in Mahidharapada on April 7 and follows an earlier attack by the same group, who thrashed two other men for transporting cattle. Similar such incidents of cow vigilante violence against Muslims were witnessed in Odisha. One was witnessed in Angul on February 2024 where cow transporters were reportedly attacked by Rashtriya Bajrang Dal.

In February, again another incident was witnessed where two Muslims were beaten and humiliated. Similarly, in June 17, 2023, capital city Bhubaneshwar saw a Hindutva mob violently attacking two young Muslim men. The victims were tied up with ropes and subjected to a brutal assault. They were shaved of their beards and also forcibly made to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and were forced to walk through garbage. This case had also been part of the PIL filed in the Supreme Court, after which the court gave directives to several states, including Odisha, on mob lynchings. However, incidents of vigilante violence have reportedly continued. Simlarly, Sambalpur had also seen violence against Muslim homes and businesses in the same year during the Hanuman Jayanti processions in the state.

VIDEO | Curfew was imposed in Odisha’s Sambalpur town earlier today after sporadic overnight violence and the death of a man under mysterious circumstances. The violence came after Friday evening’s Hanuman Jayanti processions were held under tight security. pic.twitter.com/5v3eh8HJQb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 15, 2023

The Bajrang Dal, seen above, was also the organisation implicated in the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young children. Its member Dara Singh is serving a life sentence in prison as of now. In 2022, Sudarshan News editor and anchor Suresh Chavhanke had requested the police for permission to meet him. He was denied. Sudarshan Chavhanke was also seen in a photo that recently emerged with Dara Singh. Also, seen in the photo was the new chief minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, who had also made a demand for the killers of the Staines family to be released in 2022. Chavhanke and, BJP MLA from Keonjhar, Majhi both had sat  down with others to protest for the release of Dara Singh. Dara Singh has been implicated in the murder of not just Graham Staines and his children, but also for another two cases of murdering a Christian missionary and a Muslim trader, as per The Hindu.

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As per a report, officials told the media that the principal Jaimon Joseph saw some students  wearing saffron clothes to school two days back. He asked them about this and they told that they were following Hanuman Deeksha, which is a 21-day ritual.

The principal reportedly requested the students to bring their parents to school to discuss the matter further. However, following this, a video was uploaded by one of the students which accused the principal and a priest of denying Hindu students the right to wear religious dress. It was circulated on social media and sparked a wave of hate messages against the school.

Furthermore, hundreds of people reportedly gathered at the school and vandalised the school property, including breaking windows, damaging flower pots, and pelting stones at a statue of St. Mother Teresa at the main gates. Father Jaimon Joseph was also physically attacked by the mob and the mob reportedly applied a tilak on his forehead forcibly.

The police have booked a case against a school correspondent and principal for allegedly objecting to some students coming to the institution wearing ‘Hanuman Deeksha dress’ in #Mancherial‘s #Kannepalli village about 250 km from #Hyderabad, #Telangana.

According to #Dandepally… pic.twitter.com/gZ5ocKriKC

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) April 17, 2024

As per a report by Telangana Today, the mob calmed down and left only after the  Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Kumar and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravi Kumar assured them of action. Following the incident, the Dandepalli Mandal Education Officer issued a show-cause notice to the school management regarding the alleged refusal to permit students to enter the institute.

The school authorities have disputed the allegations that Hindu students were prohibited from wearing religious attire. They have since filed a complaint with the local police. Despite this, the police have taken action against the school management and have registered a case against them for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

This is not the first attack to take place against Christian property in the state. Earlier on February 21st, a cemetery named St. John’s Cemetery in Secunderabad was desecrated and graves belonging to the Christian community were vandalised.

Meanwhile, the state’s capital saw notorious BJP MLA T Raja Singh was seen making another provocative speech in Hyderabad during a Ram Navmi procession where he stated that over 40,000 mosques will be converted to temples, “Abhi toh 40,000 Hindu mandir baaki hain.”

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The United Christian Forum (UCF), a Delhi-based civil society organisation, has through its toll free helpline documented violent attacks from January 1 to March 15, 2024. A total of 161 incidents of violence against Christians were reported through the UCF toll-free helpline number. The number released paints a grim picture of the persecution and violence faced by the Christian community in various states.  January 2024 witnessed 70 reported cases, followed by 62 in February, and 29 in the first half of March alone.

Chhattisgarh emerges as the state with the highest number of reported assaults against Christians and has recorded a shocking number 47 incidents. Sabrang India had also reported on March 14 how Chhattisgarh is witnessing rising attacks against Christians.

Following closely behind is Uttar Pradesh which has, according to the press release, seen 36 incidents of violence against Christians. The press release has highlighted the evidence of state-sponsored targeting against Christians, and has condemned the practice of allegedly filing false accusations of conversion against pastors who are often just participating in ordinary social gatherings like birthday parties. The note details that over 30 incidents of arrests and detentions of pastors have been recorded under the UP Freedom of Religion Act (UP FORA).

The brief report of the organisation also sheds light on several other states where incidents of violence against Christians have been reported this year, including  Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Odisha. The UCF reports that Christians in 19 states across India have already faced threats to their lives. Additionally, 122 people have been detained or arrested under, what the UCF argues is false allegations of conversion in just the first 75 days of 2024.

In light of these disturbing figures, the UCF has called upon union government to take action to end the violence and persecution faced by Christians in India. The organisation has urged the government to urgently hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.

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