Unchecked persecution, continuing government silence will threaten Christian identity in India, says UCF

The findings of the latest United Christian Forum (UCF) Report of 2024 are disturbing. If the trend is not stopped immediately by political will and concerted government action, it will threaten the identity and existence of the Indian Christians.  

UCF is an ecumenical body that documents violence against Christians based on the reports it gets through its helpline calls.

The number of attacks against Christians has increased dramatically, from 127 in 2014 to 834 by December 2024.

Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states have become the hotspots of viral hate  against Christians, brutal mob violence, and rampant social ostracization in which elements of the law and justice apparatus are complicit, UCF office bearers said on January 24.

The 209 cases in Uttar Pradesh and 165 cases in Chhattisgarh in 2024 are only a fraction of the total. Across India, the crimes that come to UCF’s notice maybe three to ten times at the grassroots.

Many attacks go unreported for fear of retribution in the environment of impunity and political patronage.

Fear dominates the discourse—fear of the cultural “police,” which define who is an Indian, who is a loyal citizen, and who is an alien, to be identified, isolated and eliminated.

There is a fear of the establishment borne out of the experience of the past decade where the guilty go free and innocent pastors, their wives, and on occasion their children have been pushed into jails. More than a hundred innocents remain in captivity, with bail repeatedly denied. The legal system has become a means of punishment.

A crisis is brewing right in front of us. India’s international prestige and standing as a democratic country that guarantees the rule of law, and a bill of rights are at stake, UCF fears.

“The Christian community, which has long been a peaceful and integral part of India's diverse society, is now living in fear,” said Dr. Michael Williams, President of UCF.

Attacks against the community have become more frequent, brutal, and systematic. These are not just numbers; they are the stories of real people, families torn apart, communities destroyed, and lives shattered because of their faith.

This tragedy is unfolding even as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team periodically reach out to the Christian community through its religious leaders in Kerala, New Delhi, and elsewhere.

In a criminal template, the violence seemed to peak during the Christmas season of 2024, with 14 separate attacks on Christian gatherings across the country.

Shocked by this escalation in violence against the community, and especially its weakest and most separated elements, over 400 senior Christian leaders and 30 church groups submitted an urgent appeal to President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi on December 31, 2024, appealing to the nation’s conscience to call a halt to the persecution.

The UCF annual report for 2024 records 834 incidents. However, the authorities accepted 59 complaints as First Information Reports (FIRs). It is the prerogative of the police officer in charge of deciding which complaint will be converted into an FIR for further investigation by the police and subsequent trial in court.

The data reveals specific effects on vulnerable communities, with incidents affecting 154 women, 342 Dalits, and 354 Tribals.

A detailed categorization of violence reveals a substantial number of reported incidents, including:

    - 149 physical assaults

    -  209 property damage incidents

    -  798 intimidation, threats, and harassment cases

    -  331 religious assembly restrictions reported

The UCF demands transparent enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom and minority rights. Only such transparency and official integrity will ensure an unbiased investigation, a court trial, and fixing culpability for those found responsible.