Verghese V Joseph –
New Delhi: As India gears up for the national elections, a troubling trend has emerged in the first 75 days of 2024 – a significant surge in violence targeting the Christian community. From January 1st to March 15th, a staggering 161 incidents of violence against Christians have been reported, according to data compiled by the UCF (United Christian Forum) helpline.
UCF launched a toll-free helpline number (1-800-208-4545) in January 2015 to uphold fundamental freedom and promote the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity in India. The hotline offers assistance to persons in need, particularly those who are ignorant of the legal system and its procedures, by teaching them how to contact the appropriate authorities and offering them advice.
According to UCF, January alone witnessed 70 reported incidents, followed by 62 in February, and 29 in the first half of March, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by Indian Christians.
At the forefront of this disturbing trend is Chhattisgarh, a state known for its hostility towards Christians. With 47 reported incidents, it tops the list of states where Christians are targeted. Shockingly, even in death, Christians are not spared, as many have been denied burial according to their religious customs. Reports suggest that local villagers have threatened to cremate the bodies, a final act of forced conversion known as “Gharwapasi”. Furthermore, Christians are being subjected to physical assault, threats on their lives, and vandalism of their homes, reminiscent of the persecution faced during the Christmas period of 2022, UCF said.
Following closely behind is Uttar Pradesh, a state crucial in national politics with 80 Lok Sabha seats. Here, 36 incidents of violence against Christians have been reported, indicating a worrying trend of state-sponsored harassment. Reports reveal instances where pastors have been falsely accused of conversion simply for participating in social gatherings or offering prayers at birthday parties. The misuse of laws like the UP Freedom of Religion Act (UP FORA) has resulted in over 30 arrests and detentions of pastors, stated UCF.
Other states grappling with violence against Christians include Madhya Pradesh (14 incidents), Haryana (10 incidents), Rajasthan (9 incidents), Jharkhand, and Karnataka (8 incidents each), among others. In total, 19 states across India have reported incidents of violence against Christians, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.
The plight of Indian Christians is further exacerbated by the alarming number of false cases filed against them. In just 75 days, 122 Christians have been detained or arrested on allegations of conversions, adding to the climate of fear and insecurity within the community.
UCF has urged authorities to take decisive action against those responsible for perpetrating violence against Christians and to ensure the protection of their fundamental rights. “With the upcoming elections, we call for a peaceful and fair democratic process, free from intimidation and discrimination based on religion. It is imperative that steps are taken to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their faith, to foster a truly inclusive and harmonious society,” UCF statement added.
A great initiative of the UCF. There is no doubt that the BJP is anti-minorities. At the same time we too need to ensure that we don’t do or say anything silly, insensitive or stupid
BJP, RSS and all Hindu fundamentalist groups consider Christians as “foreigners”. WHY? The Christians, particularly Catholics, love to live as ROMAN Catholics following all types of rubrics, rituals, ceremonies that are alien to Indian culture. The age-old proverb says, “when you are in Rome, behave like a Roman”. We need to live as INDIAN Christians.