Catholic Bishops raise alarm over surge in attacks on Christians in India ahead of Christmas
United Christian Forum reports 70 attacks on Christians per month in 2024
New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed deep concern over a surge in attacks on Christians across the country ahead of Christmas, urging both the BJP-led Indian government and state governments to ensure the community’s safety.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a statement, the bishops said they were deeply anguished by reports of violence targeting carol singers, prayer meetings and churches during the festive season, warning that such incidents violate India’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom and the right to worship without fear.
The CBCI appealed to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure strict enforcement of the law and provide proactive protection so Christians can celebrate Christmas peacefully. The bishops also urged governments to act firmly against individuals and groups spreading hatred and violence.
They highlighted a viral video from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, showing a visually challenged woman being abused and harassed at a Christmas programme. The woman was targeted by Anju Bhargava, identified as a BJP city vice president. Calling the incident dehumanising, the bishops demanded Anju Bhargava’s immediate removal from the party.
The bishops also flagged concern over posters circulating in Chhattisgarh calling for a strike against Christians, warning that such calls could further inflame tensions.
Separately, the United Christian Forum (UCF) said it had documented 834 incidents of violence against Christians in 2024, averaging nearly 70 cases a month. The forum said most attacks were linked to false allegations of forced religious conversions and cited reports alleging police collusion with Hindutva groups.
Several incidents were reported in December, 2025 alone, including attack on a Christmas carol group in Kerela, harassment of a pastor and his wife in Ghaziabad, objections to selling Santa hats in Odisha, and disruption of Sunday Mass at a church in Rajasthan’s Dungarpur district.
