Christians in India facing surge in attacks ahead of elections

A prominent civil society group has sounded the alarm over a surge in attacks and discrimination against Christians across India, raising concerns about the erosion of fundamental rights and protections for religious minorities ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The United Christian Forum (UCF), a Delhi-based organization focused on Christian issues, detailed 161 incidents of violence, harassment and ostracization targeting the Christian community in the first 75 days of the year.

"January witnessed 70 incidents of violence against Christians, followed by 62 incidents in 29 days of February and 29 incidents in 15 days of March," the UCF stated, citing reports received through their national helpline.

According to the UCF, the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh has emerged as the most problematic region for Christians, with 47 reported incidents of violence and discrimination. The press release painted a grim picture, with Christians being denied access to village water sources, the bodies of deceased Christians being threatened with cremation against their religious beliefs, and families being physically assaulted, threatened, and driven from their homes.

Uttar Pradesh, which has witnessed 36 incidents so far this year. There is clear evidence of harassment of Christians in this state, as the police file false allegations of conversion against pastors even for praying in birthday parties and other social gatherings," the release noted.

The UCF helpline has recorded over 30 cases of pastors being arrested or detained under Uttar Pradesh's so-called Freedom of Religion Act, which critics say is being misused to target minority communities.

While Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh top the list, the UCF press release documented incidents of violence and discrimination against Christians in 19 states across India, including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, Delhi, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

"In all, there are 122 Christians who have either been detained or arrested on false allegations of conversions in just 75 days of 2024," the UCF stated.