Unchecked persecution and govt silence threatening Christian identity in India, says civil society group
#ChristianPersecutionInIndia
New Delhi: A New Delhi-based civil society group has raised alarm over the unchecked persecution of Christians in India, warning that the continued silence of the BJP-led government is endangering the Christian identity across the country.
According to Kashmir Media Service, United Christian Forum in a press statement stated that the attacks against the community have become more frequent, brutal and systematic in recent years. It referred to a report it released on January 10, which said that the number of attacks against Christians in India had increased from 127 in 2014 to 834 in 2024.
The group said that if the trend was not stopped immediately by concerted action, it will threaten the identity and existence of the Indian Christian community much before 2050.
“The BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh (209 attacks) and Chhattisgarh (165 attacks) states recorded the highest number of attacks on Christians and had become the hotspots of viral hate, brutal mob violence, rampant social ostracisation in which elements of the law and justice apparatus is complicit,” the group said citing its 2024 report.
The statement stated that more than 100 innocent persons from the community, such as pastors, are in jail and have been repeatedly denied bail. “The justice process has become the punishment,” it added. It further stated that several attacks go unreported due to the fear of retribution in the environment of impunity and political patronage.
Michael Williams, the president of the United Christian Forum, said that the Christian community, which had long been a peaceful society, is now living in fear.
The violence against the community seemed to peak during the Christmas season of 2024, with 14 separate attacks on Christian gatherings across the country. The forum demanded the transparent enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom and minority rights.