By Verghese V Joseph –
In a stark revelation, the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has unveiled the findings of the EFI’s Religious Liberty Commission’s (EFIRLC) annual report, painting a grim picture of targeted violence, hate crimes, and systematic oppression faced by the Christian community across India throughout 2023. The report, released amidst mounting concerns, documents a disturbing escalation in incidents of violence against Christians, reaching an alarming 601 cases in the span of a year.
Rev. Vijayesh Lal, the General Secretary of EFI, expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation for religious minorities in India, emphasizing the alarming rise in violence and the exploitation of a false narrative of forced conversions to justify horrific crimes. He stated, “The false narrative of forced conversions is being repeatedly exploited to justify horrific crimes of violence, intimidation, and harassment against the peaceful Christian community.”
According to the report, Uttar Pradesh emerged as the most hostile environment for Christians, with a staggering 279 documented cases of violence and an unprecedented 440 arrests of pastors and believers based on baseless allegations of forcible conversions. Chhattisgarh and Haryana also witnessed significant numbers of incidents, with 132 and 43 cases respectively.
However, the reported statistics merely scratch the surface, with many incidents likely going unreported due to fear of reprisal or police apathy towards cases involving religious minorities. The report emphasizes the compounded discrimination and violence faced by vulnerable groups such as Dalit and Adivasi Christians, as well as Christian women.
Rev. Lal pointed out the role of the far-right political ideological factions in perpetuating violence against Christians by falsely accusing them of engaging in forced conversions. He stated, “This unfounded claim has become a convenient pretext to unleash targeted aggression against our community.”
The report provides chilling case studies illustrating the brutality faced by Christians across India. From pastors being severely beaten with iron rods to mobs assaulting worshippers inside churches, the accounts paint a grim picture of targeted aggression.
One particularly alarming case recounts armed extremists disrupting a prayer meeting in Jharkhand, assaulting two women, and encouraging others to sexually assault them. Despite initial police resistance, an FIR was eventually filed after persistent efforts.
The report also sheds light on structural challenges facing religious minorities, including changes to the education system that undermine constitutional rights and the corporatization of education, raising concerns about infiltration by extreme right-wing entities.
Furthermore, proposed legislation enforcing a Uniform Civil Code in several states threatens to erode legal protections and affirmative action measures afforded to religious minorities under the Indian constitution. Laws targeting “missionary activity” could impede the constitutional right of Christians to freely profess, practice, and propagate their faith.
The unrest in Manipur raises echoes of past tragedies, underlining concerns about the authorities’ commitment to restoring peace and order. Victims, primarily from Christian ethnic groups indigenous to the India-Myanmar border region, find themselves increasingly vulnerable amidst escalating violence.
As the EFI report lays bare the harrowing realities faced by the Christian community in India, it calls for urgent action to address the escalating violence and uphold the constitutional rights of religious minorities. With each passing year, the need for concerted efforts to safeguard religious freedom and promote tolerance becomes increasingly imperative.
“As we approach general elections in 2024, it is imperative that the Indian government and relevant state administrations uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety and security of all religious minorities,” Rev. Lal urged. “We call for immediate and decisive action against organizations promoting communal violence and hatred, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.”
EFI states that it is committed to fostering an inclusive and harmonious society based on secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The organisation urges all stakeholders to take note of the escalating violence against Christians in India and demands that constitutional rights be upheld for all citizens, irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations.
The full report can be accessed by clicking THIS link.