Christian helpline records 745 incidents of violence against Christians in India

By AC Michael*

Incidents of violence against Christians in India are sharply increasing year on year since 2014. As per the complaints received on the United Christian Forum (UCF) Helpline there were 127 in 2014, 142 in 2015, 226 in 2016, 248 in 2017, 292 in 2018, 328 in 2019, 279 in 2020, 505 in 2021, 601 in 2022, 734 in 2023 and in 2024 till November end – 745 incidents respectively.

The seven hundred and forty five (745) incidents of violence against Christians in India this year till November were reported on UCF Helpline Number. This means many other incidents which may have happened, but were not reported on our hotline, are not included in the total number.

Once again, no numbers of human and church attacks from Manipur have been included. Last year too, the tragic violence and bloodshed, as well as over 200 churches which were demolished in Manipur were not added to the UCF figures.

When one minority in Bangladesh was assaulted a special emissary of Government of India Secretary level was sent to dialogue with the government of Bangladesh. We ask the Modi government to consider setting up a national level enquiry led by a Government of India Secretary level to look into these incidents of Christian minority persecution within India.

According to a report published by PUCL, the local police collude with violence perpetrators and turn a blind eye to offences committed against Christians.In addition, the constitutional rights of Christians are being denied systematically. Especially the minuscule Christian population of India’s right to have their right to representation in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies in India by denying the right to reservation of Anglo-Indians. There has been no Christian member in the National Commission for Minorities and National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions for over five years now. Similarly, state minority commissions too are not getting Christian memberships filled up.

There is a petition pending before the Supreme Court of India calling for strict action against vigilante groups that are engaging in anti-Christian violence in India. Sadly, after initial hearings in 2022 the petition has not come up for hearing again.

There are politically motivated anti-conversion laws in 12 states of India. In the recent amendment bill of Uttar Pradesh, which is identical to those under statutes such as PMLA and UAPA, the Supreme Court observed this could be against Article 25. We pray for peace in our nation and hope the government will take assertive actions to restore peace and harmony amongst all citizens.

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*Former Member of Delhi Minorities Commission, Govt of NCT of Delhi

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