Anti-conversion laws weaponized to target minorities in India, say Christian leaders
New Delhi: The United Christian Forum (UCF) has said that anti-conversion laws have been weaponized to persecute religious minorities in the country.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a recent meeting with Kiren Rijiju, Indian Minister of Minority Affairs, in Delhi, the UCF delegation urged the repeal of stringent anti-conversion laws enforced across 11 states, most of which are governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The UCF’s memorandum, presented to the minister, details a troubling rise in violence and discrimination against Christians. According to the document, there were 727 reported incidents of violence against Christians in 2023, described as part of a disturbing trend. The first half of 2024 has already seen 361 targeted attacks.
Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, both under BJP rule and with active anti-conversion laws, reported the highest number of incidents: 96 and 92 respectively. The memorandum says that police often collaborate with Hindutva groups to target Christians, who constitute just 2.3% of India’s 1.4 billion population.
The UCF delegation highlighted severe cases of persecution, including murders, false accusations, social ostracism, and denial of burial rights. They also condemned the brutal violence against Christians, despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
