Violence against Christians is on the rise in India: Only 47 out of 673 FIRs registered, says a UCF report

The report The study, prepared by the United Christian Forum (UCF), paints a bleaker picture of the social reality of Christian persecution in India, where there were 673 attacks as of the end of October 2024.

What is even more shocking is that only 47 FIRs have been registered for these incidents, indicating complete negligence on the part of law enforcement agencies and an increasing tendency of perpetrators to go scot-free.

A nationwide crisis

The extremism towards Christians has over time become an integral part of the religious bigotry witnessed in the last decade. However, in 2014 there were fewer than 100 reports until 2018; there was an increase to 292. This upward trend has continued; In 2023, according to the data, the number was around 750. This exacerbation of existing conflicts shows the need to discuss the problems of interreligious relations more and increase interreligious and intrareligious tolerance. According to AC MichaelAccording to UCF’s national coordinator, it is clear that this has now become a systematic attack on Christianity, with every state in the country committing an average of two attacks per day.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Accordingly Makhtoob Media Article: 23 states in India have registered violence against Christians. The number of incidents is highest in Uttar Pradesh (182), followed by Chattisgarh (139). The nature of these incidents is worrying; They cover the entire spectrum of physical attacks, killings, sexual harassment, threats, social exclusion and vandalism. The report also includes information on the particular threats to vulnerable sectors of the Christian community – women and marginalized groups; Twelve of the reported cases involved a woman victim, while others targeted Dalit and tribal Christians.

Systemic failures in law enforcement

This is one of the most worrying issues of this crisis, as the criminal justice system appears to be failing in both prevention and prosecution, leaving victims unprotected. Of the 673 cases reportedOnly 47 FIRs were registered, which means all other cases were not handled properly. Michael complains that the police persecute victims and arrest pastors on frivolous accusations instead of tackling crimes against Christians. This pattern can be observed in the broader society of India, where the state machinery is increasingly used to exterminate minorities.

Source: BBC

There is an increasing trend of violence against Christians due to a phenomenon largely associated with organized actions and campaigns by Christians Vigilante groups who attack religious minorities and defend Hindu violence. These groups operate without remorse, often encouraged by local authorities and political leaders. Police records indicate that the vast majority of violent acts are committed by group members tied together with the far right, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal. Often such groups claim that Christians are forcing them to convert; An accusation that is unproven and is often used as a pretext for attacks on Christians.

Remarkable, regardless UCF Reports While focusing on violence against Christians in India, it also highlights the intersectionality of the violence. Dalit Christians and tribal women are at greater risk of violence and discrimination. For example, Data analyzed for October showed that the victims were women in 12 cases, Dalit Christians in 14 cases and Christians from tribal backgrounds in 24 cases. This suggests that intersectionality explains how multiple oppressions within minorities reinforce each other.

International Response: A Call to Action

The biased conditions that govern religious freedom in India can be observed internationally. The USCIRFThe United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which is skeptical of religious intolerance in India, has pointed out that anti-conversion laws have been used as a basis for the violent persecution of Christians. The USCIRF highlighted in the latest update that all of these laws pose a threat to religious minorities. The increasing scrutiny from the international community then requires the Indian authorities to take appropriate measures to defend minority rights.

Source: Fides agency

The increase in reported incidents helps remind society of the problems surrounding the oppression of religious minorities and raises questions about Indian secularism and principles of equality. However, in order to be able to respond to this crisis more effectively, increased legal safeguards are needed to protect these groups of people and mechanisms to control the police.

In support of this AC Michael was right when he said, “These numbers are not just statistics; they are people and persons.” Governments, civil society organizations and other countries must work together to protect the rights of religious minorities in India. Unless efforts are made to combat this tide of intolerance, it will only increase and democracy, freedom, justice and equality as enshrined in the Indian Constitution will continue to suffer.