Alarming rise in anti-Christian violence in India: 2024 sees 100 more incidents than 2023

A disturbing trend of escalating violence against Christians in India has continued, with 2024 recording 834 incidents in just 366 days.

This marks a significant increase of exactly 100 incidents over the previous year, which saw 734 incidents.

The alarming frequency of attacks translates to more than two Christians being targeted every day in India simply for practicing their faith.

The ecumenical United Christian Forum (UCF) that monitors anti-Christian incidents

Data compiled from complaints received on the ecumenical United Christian Forum (UCF) Helpline that monitors anti-Christian incidents reveals a sharp year-on-year increase in incidents of violence against Christians since 2014. The numbers are as follows:

- 2014: 127 incidents

- 2015: 142 incidents

- 2016: 226 incidents

- 2017: 248 incidents

- 2018: 292 incidents

- 2019: 328 incidents.

- 2020: 279 incidents

- 2021: 505 incidents

- 2022: 601 incidents

- 2023: 734 incidents

- 2024: 834 incidents

This upward trend raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of Christians in India.

On December 31, 2024, more than 400 Christian and civil leaders, along with 30 church groups, appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb instances of violence against Christians and Muslims.

They urged Modi, saying, “Immediate and decisive action… to curb a surge in violence against Christians….”

The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its other affiliate organizations are reportedly said to be behind the instances of violence against Christians in India.

The BJP-led federal government, to which Modi belongs, came to power in 2014. Since then, attacks on Christians and their institutions have exponentially risen.

However, Modi and his government have hardly taken steps to curb violence against Christians. Consequently, it has become a concern for church leaders, Christians, and civil society groups.