New Delhi: The Evangelical Fellowship of India’s Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC) reported a fourfold rise in violence against Christians since the BJP came to power. The commission urged immediate police protection for Christian communities facing threats.
In 2024, 840 incidents were recorded, with 640 verified cases, up from 601 in 2023 and 147 in 2014. “Persecution has reached crisis levels,” said Rev. Vijayesh Lal, EFI General Secretary, adding that 4-5 churches and pastors face attacks daily, with incidents doubling on Sundays.
The most affected states are Uttar Pradesh (188 cases), Chhattisgarh (150), Rajasthan (40), Punjab (38), and Haryana (34), with Punjab and Rajasthan emerging as new hotspots. Christians face physical assaults, prayer disruptions, church vandalism, social boycotts, arbitrary arrests under anti-conversion laws, economic deprivation, and forced displacement.
Anti-conversion laws are being misused to falsely charge pastors conducting prayers. In Khaga, Fatehpur (UP), Pastor Shivbharan was beaten, forcibly shaved, and paraded on Dec 27, then arrested under the anti-conversion law. In Punjab’s Jalandhar, Pastor Bhagwan Singh was attacked on Jan 23 and succumbed to injuries on Feb 19. In Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, Christian families refusing to reconvert were beaten and threatened with expulsion.
Victims fear police inaction and retaliation, and many incidents go unreported due to threats. Even when cases are registered, delays, acquittals, or wrongful imprisonments are common. EFIRLC called on the government to provide police protection, take action against extremist groups, reform anti-conversion laws, strengthen legal safeguards for victims, and ensure fair legal proceedings for minorities.
