– Arshad Shaikh
The persecution of religious minorities in India has cast a dark shadow over India’s secular ethos. First it was the Muslim community and now the Christian faith is under fire. On July 25, 2025 two Catholic nuns, Sisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, along with a tribal youth, Sukhman Mandavi were arrested at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh. They were accused of human trafficking and forced conversion by a Bajrang Dal member. Both the nuns faced charges under stringent anti-conversion laws.
The accused denied the charges and explained that the women were travelling with them along with their families. They explained that the travel was completely consensual and for employment purposes. This incident is part of a broader pattern of harassment targeting India’s Christian minority particularly its clergy. The matter is of grave concern and has far reaching implication for us in the long term and within the international community especially Christian majority countries.
The Rising Tide of Intolerance
There are many who have pointed out that the return and consolidation of the religious far-right in India proved to be a turning point for India’s religious minorities. A climate of intolerance, fear, hate and violence has been unleashed against the Christian and Muslim communities. The United Christian Forum (UCF) reported a sharp rise in attacks on Christians, from fewer than 100 incidents in 2014 to approximately 750 in 2023, averaging two attacks a day. Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh consistently rank among the states with the highest incidents, with 165 and 209 cases respectively in 2024. Clergy, including pastors, priests, and nuns, have been disproportionately targeted, often accused of “forced conversions” under anti-conversion laws enacted in BJP-ruled states.
The 2020 arrest of Father Stan Swamy, an 83-year-old Jesuit priest, on dubious counter-terrorism charges resulted in his death in custody in 2021. The incident became a global symbol of minority persecution, with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calling it a “stark reminder of egregious violations.”
Targeted Harassment
Far-right and ultra-nationalist groups have run a systematic campaign targeting the Christian clergy. These groups often enjoy the support of people who are linked to the ruling party and their ideological mentors.
The Christians are accused of being outsiders. It is claimed that the Christian missionaries have an agenda of destroying the culture of the majority community through forced religious conversions. The Christians have faced mob attacks, legal threats and social boycotts. The most vulnerable are the Christian clergy in the small towns and villages who run small house churches.
After 2014, the attacks on Christians particularly increased. Ninety such incidents were reported in 1998 and 216 in 2000. In 2014 people vandalised Catholic churches in Delhi. The Christian leadership even met the Prime Minister for support. In 2016, “Persecution Relief” (a Christian NGO) reported 330 hate crimes against Christian priests – a 60% rise compared to previous years.
It is alleged that the police often beat or arrest the clergy during prayer events. Many BJP-ruled states have passed strict anti-conversion laws. These laws are vaguely worded. This allows extremists to lodge false police complaints. Open Doors (a persecution watchdog) noted that pastors are targeted by accusing them of luring people with financial and other incentives. This then leads to their arrests and prolonged legal battles.
The Cost of Persecution
The systematic targeting of Christian clergy has broader implications. It undermines India’s reputation as a constitutional democracy that values secularism and religious freedom. The tacit support for vigilante justice along with police inaction combines as a template for persecution.
In 2023, the USCIRF listed India among the worst countries for religious persecution. The American agency that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief called out the “systemic targeting” of minorities in India.
The persecution of clergy has a profound human toll. Pastors and nuns who selflessly serve marginalised communities have to face physical violence, mental trauma, and social ostracism. Christians face social boycott and are denied access to resources like water and electricity.
Thousands of Christians with clergy were displaced in the 2023 Manipur violence. Many of their churches were burned and families threatened. The nuns in Chhattisgarh, now facing up to 10 years in prison, exemplify the personal cost of serving their faith in a hostile environment.
Muslim Solidarity
The Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Prof Salim Engineer expressed his concern over the arrests of the two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. He said, “To us, this incident doesn’t appear isolated. It fits into a larger pattern we’ve seen where issues are unnecessarily created or exaggerated to harass religious minorities. What’s troubling is that this seems to be part of a broader trend of communal polarisation. We’re witnessing an increasing number of incidents where extremist groups and elements stir up mob sentiments to persecute minorities. Sadly, all of this undermines the secular values enshrined in our Constitution.
“We at Jamaat-e-Islami Hind stand in full solidarity with the Christian community. We demand the immediate release of the nuns and the individual who was with them. At the very least, there must be a fair and impartial investigation – one that uncovers the truth and holds accountable those who misuse the legal system to spread fear and division. As an organization that stands for justice and communal harmony, we have always opposed such actions.
“They are clearly aimed at marginalising minorities for the sake of vote-bank politics. This is dangerous and completely unacceptable. We urge every peace-loving citizen in this country to see through this pattern and speak out. Now more than ever, we must promote unity among all communities. The use of legal tools to target minorities under false pretences must stop. It’s time the government stepped up to protect every citizen’s dignity and rights.”
The Path Forward
The persecution of Muslims and Christians in India remains a litmus test for our democracy and adherence to our constitutional values. Civil society, interfaith groups, and global advocacy must take up cudgels on behalf of these persecuted minorities. They must amplify their plight, urge accountability and deploy all constitutional and legal means to challenge the situation.
The contribution of the Christian community in India, especially in the field of education and healthcare, is immense and invaluable. If their faith is under fire, it is not just a threat to one community. It is a warning signal for the entire nation. A society that turns its back on those who heal, teach and serve, risks losing its moral compass and its soul.
