Violence against Christians in India continues to surge
New Delhi: Incidents of violence against Christians in India have reached alarming levels, with 745 reported cases by the end of November 2024, according to the United Christian Forum (UCF) ), a Delhi-based civil society organization addressing the issues faced by the Christian community.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the UCF’s press release emphasized that these figures exclude incidents from Manipur, where the violence has been particularly severe. In the past year alone, over 200 churches were reportedly demolished in the region, and widespread bloodshed occurred. Despite these tragic events, they have not been included in the UCF’s data. The organization is calling for a comprehensive, government-led investigation into the escalating persecution of Christians throughout India.
The UCF has criticized the Indian government’s response to this violence, saying it was discriminating and neglecting the needs of religious minorities. They have specifically urged Indian Prime Minister Modi’s government to establish a national-level inquiry, led by a senior government official, to thoroughly investigate the continued attacks on Christians and address their constitutional rights.
The UCF’s eport revealed that Christians are experiencing varying levels of violence and discrimination across 23 of India’s 28 states, with Uttar Pradesh (182 incidents) and Chhattisgarh (139 incidents) emerging as the states with the highest number of attacks. The UCF also pointed to systemic denial of Christians’ constitutional rights, particularly the lack of representation in key governmental bodies. For over five years, no Christian members have been appointed to the National Commission for Minorities or the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, and state minority commissions have similarly failed to fill Christian seats.
In addition to the violence, the UCF has expressed concern over the absence of significant legal protections for Christians. A petition calling for stricter action against vigilante groups engaging in anti-Christian violence has been pending before the Supreme Court of India since 2022, without any meaningful progress. The UCF also said that the anti-conversion laws enacted in 12 Indian states are politically motivated, further exacerbating the challenges faced by Christians in India.
With rising incidents of violence and growing concerns over the constitutional rights of Christians, the UCF is calling on the Indian government to take immediate and decisive action to protect the rights and safety of the Christian minority.
