53 cases of violence against Christians in 45 days reported in India

Data collected by the United Christian Forum (UCF) reports that in India, the year 2021 ended with 505 incidents of violence against Christians and the year 2022 began with 53 incidents in 45 days.

UCF is an inter-denominational Christian organization that fights for the rights of the Christian minority in India. 

“In just one of 505 cases of violence against Christians in 2021, on a Sunday (February 13, 2022) the murmur of prayers was interrupted by loud abuse and physical assault on a prayer meeting in Wajidpur, Tendui, Gaya, Bihar state of North India,” A. C. Michael, president of UCF, said in his press note on February 15. 

On July 11, 2021, 20 aggressive pro-Hindu religious extremists attacked 80-90 people praying together in a house. The victims sustained injuries and warnings that they should not conduct religious gatherings. The pastor fled the home to save his life. It took three months to file a complaint with the police and other government agencies. The law is now taking its slow course with little relief in sight for these victims. This was not an isolated case, explained Michael, a Catholic lay leader. 

There has been a steady rise in incidents of violence against Christians. The United Christian Forum (UCF) launched a toll-free helpline number (1-800-208-4545) on January 19, 2015, to help assist members of the community in distress, especially those who are not aware of the law of the land and the system, by guiding them on how to reach out to the authorities and by providing the way to legal remedies. While the data records are not exhaustive since many cases do not come on the radar, the trend shows 127 incidents in 2014, 142 in 2015, 226 in 2016, 248 in 2017, 292 in 2018, 328 in 2019, 279 in 2020, and 505 in 2021.

By February 14, 2022, in the first 45 days of this year, 53 incidents were reported with the UCF helpline number.

While India’s Christian community comprises just 2.3% of India’s population per the 2011 census, such issues are not restricted to only the Christian community, which appeals to the government to ensure the rights of all minorities within the framework of the Constitution of India. 

The upcoming state elections (in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand from February 10 onwards) are seeing a slew of promises by all parties in the fray. None of them guarantee protection for religious minorities such as Christians and Muslims.

While India’s Christian community comprises just 2.3% of India’s population per the 2011 census, such issues are not restricted to only the Christian community.

“We appeal to the government and all political parties as they contest elections in various states to ensure the rights of all minorities within the framework of the Constitution of India,” said Michael, a former member of the Delhi Minority Commission.

According to him, the fundamental right to freely profess, practice, and propagate their religion is Part III of the Indian Constitution, Especially Articles 25 and 26. On behalf of all minorities, the Christian community asks for: a specific direction to the Police is to take strict and immediate action against perpetrators of violence against religious minorities, who attempt to divide people into communal lines for political and personal gain.

Sensitization program for senior police officers is to equip them better to handle the increasing cases of targeted violence against religious minorities.

Victim compensation schemes are introduced for physical injury and damage to property caused by targeted violence against religious minorities.

Expedite a fair, transparent and time-bound process for the issuance of permission to conduct prayers at places of worship belonging to all religious communities.

UCF has other networking partners, including Alliance Defending Freedom India, Religious Liberty Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India and Christian Legal Association.