Violence against Christians has been increasing sharply in India, report says

The incidents of violence against Christians in India have been increasing sharply and steadily since 2014, according to the United Christian Forum (UCF), a human rights group that monitors violence against Christians in the country.

In a report dated 11 July, UCF, an interdenominational Christian organization based in New Delhi, said that over 400 incidents were documented in the first 190 days of 2023 (from January to June).

UCF recorded 147 incidents in 2014, 177 incidents in 2015, 208 incidents in 2016, 240 incidents in 2017, 292 incidents in 2018, 328 incidents in 2019, 279 incidents in 2020, 505 incidents in 2021, and 582 incidents in 2022.

"This year we have just completed half a year of 190 days, and we have already witnessed 400 incidents of violence against Christians across 23 states in India, with Uttar Pradesh leading the chart with 155 incidents. Last year, during the same period (January to June 2022), 274 incidents of violence against Christians were witnessed," said UCF.

Six districts in Uttar Pradesh are experinecing incidents of violence against Christians, with 13 incidents in Jaunpur, 11 incidents EACH in Rae Bareilly and Sitapur, 10 in Kanpur, and 9 each in Azamgarh and Kushinagar districts. But the highest number of incidents of violence against Christians in a district has gone to Bastar in Chhattisgarh, with 31 incidents.

In June 2023, there were 88 incidents (nearly three incidents per day) involving Christians, followed by 66 incidents in March, 63 in February, 62 in January, 50 in May, and 47 in April.

With 121 incidents (almost 4 incidents per day) in January of the previous year, 2022, 40 in May, 31 in February, 29 in April, 28 in March, and 25 in June took the top spot on the chart, the report added.

"Ironically, despite being the victims in all these atrocities, it is the Christians who are facing a greater number of First Information Reports (FIRs) than the accused, as the police fail to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of such mob violence," said UCF.

There are 63 FIRs lodged against Christians on false allegations of conversions under the Freedom of Religion Act. There are 35 pastors still in jail, with bail being denied repeatedly.

Moreover, those who are getting bail find themselves still incarcerated due to bureaucratic delays in processing their release. Several representations by leaders of the Christian community to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah are still awaiting any response.

Meanwhile, a petition on violence against Christians before the Supreme Court of India was heard on July 10.

The federal government "opposed our petition. Our advocate, Colin Gonsalves, submitted an interim prayer for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers outside the respective states to register FIRs, investigate, and prosecute; police protection prayer meetings conducted by the Christian community; and to provide legal aid to all the victims," said A.C. Michael, the UCF's national coordinator.

The next hearing is scheduled for 14 July 2023.- Santosh Digal