
Advacacy Group Calls For Inquiry Into Rise In Violence Against Christians In India
Following a sharp rise in “tragic violence, bloodshed, and the demolition” of dozens of churches, a Christian advocacy group has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to begin a national-level investigation into the rise in violence against Christians throughout India.
The United Christian Forum’s National Coordinator, A.C. Michael, called for the government to choose a secretary-level official to head the probe into a dramatic increase in persecution cases in a news release dated December 20 that UCA News noted.
According to Michael, a former member of the Delhi Minorities Commission, attacks on Christians increased from 127 in 2014 to 745 by the end of November 2024 since Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014.
The UCF warned that the numbers, which are based on reports made via its toll-free helpline, which was established in 2015, may not accurately represent the scope of the violence.
According to the news release, “there may have been numerous additional incidents that were not reported via our hotline and are therefore not included in the total number.”
The helpline was set up to assist persecuted individuals by providing information on how to contact the government and legal options. The UCF did point out that information on violence in the state of Manipur in the northeast is still not included.
The statement went on to say, “The UCF figures did not reflect the tragic violence, bloodshed, and demolition of over 200 churches in Manipur last year.”
Since May 2023, Kuki and Meitei tribal tribes have been involved in clashes that have targeted churches and Christians in Manipur, which has been engulfed in sectarian warfare.
The UCF also complained about the court action’s delays. Following preliminary hearings, a case seeking stringent penalties against anti-Christian vigilante groups that was filed with India’s Supreme Court in 2022 has stalled.
In order to investigate the growing instances of persecution of Christian minorities in India, Michael encouraged Modi “to consider setting up a national level inquiry.”
Religious and human rights organizations have widely criticized the increase in violence, accusing Modi’s government of not doing more to protect minority communities. The BJP claims its devotion to religious freedom and denies any role in the attacks.
Concerns regarding India’s secular fabric in the face of growing religious polarization are raised by UCF’s call for an investigation, which draws attention to the growing tensions between the government and the country’s religious minorities. According to Open Door’s World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, the nation is now ranked No. 11.
Modi’s ongoing government activities against Christians and ministries led to India’s reclassification as a “restricted nation” in 2024.
The Bible Society of India, the biggest Bible society worldwide, had its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) status revoked by the Indian government in February 2024. The FCRA, which controls funding for ministries and charities, now mandates that any organization receiving foreign funding obtain official approval, which the government may revoke at any time.
Several Indian states have enacted “anti-conversion” laws that prohibit urging Hindus to consider any other religion, and there is growing momentum for a nationwide law along these lines.
According to a report published in October, Hindu nationalist organizations are using popular messaging apps like WhatsApp to target Christian minority and pressure them to convert to Hinduism in the state of Chhattisgarh in central India.
Eight Chhattisgarh village councils issued a resolution in December that forbids Christians from remaining in their communities and forces them to either leave or renounce their faith. According to sources, the decree affected approximately 100 Christians whose farms and property were threatened with confiscation if they did not comply.
Churches are expanding in spite of increased government prohibitions on Christianity and the incarceration of many pastors.
Calvary Temple in Hyderabad, which has 300,000 members, is led by Satish Kumar. He told CBN that despite persecution, the church welcomes about 3,000 new members every month.
During the next ten years, he claimed, “God put a burden in my heart to establish 40 mega churches just like what you see here.”
“God’s hand is upon India, it’s a time for India to reach the lost, not only within the country but across the globe.”
[TCP]