For Immediate Release (Westlake Village, CA) — In 2024, India recorded an average of more than two attacks on its Christian minority each day, totaling 834 documented incidents—the highest in the nation’s history, as reported by the local group United Christian Forum (UCF). The incidents represent a more than 555% increase over the decade from 2014 to 2024.
According to Christian Solidarity International (CSI), an international Christian human rights organization which offers legal and material support for victims of religious violence and discrimination in India, the UCF data reveals a spectrum of abuses including 149 physical assaults, 209 property damage incidents, and 798 cases of intimidation, threats or harassment. There were 331 instances where Christians faced restrictions on religious gatherings, despite India’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, including worship.
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governs the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh state in eastern India, states where Christian persecution is most severe.
UCF suggested that the actual number of attacks could be between three and ten times higher, as many incidents likely go unreported due to fear of reprisals in what is described as a climate of impunity.
UCF described the statistics on attacks on Christians as “disturbing,” warning that the future of the Christian community could be at risk if authorities do not take action.
Although Christians make up 2.3 percent of India’s population, compared to Hindus who constitute nearly 80 percent, attacks on Christians frequently occur under the guise of preventing “forcible” conversions of Hindus to Christianity, fueled by Hindu nationalist propaganda. Extreme Hindu nationalists not only perpetrate or incite violence but also often force Christians or Christian victims to “reconvert” to Hinduism.
“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 as a result of their faith.”
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