Christians in India fear increased persecution amid new bill

The Christian community in India is experiencing growing concern following the proposal of a new bill that would toughen punishments for alleged “forced or fraudulent” religious conversions. If passed, it could worsen the already fragile situation of this minority.

The initiative provides for prison sentences of up to ten years and significant fines for those accused of inducing others to change their faith. Furthermore, anyone seeking to convert must notify authorities two months in advance, exposing themselves to official investigations into their motivations. For Christian leaders, this requirement violates religious freedom and exposes converts to a social stigma that is difficult to bear.

In states like Uttar Pradesh, where similar laws are already in effect, Christian communities report an increase in attacks, harassment, and arbitrary arrests. Activists report that extremist groups are taking advantage of these regulations to file false accusations against pastors and believers, disrupting services and creating a climate of fear.

“The danger is real: these laws are being used as a tool to intimidate ordinary Christians who simply wish to practice their faith,” warns Reverend Vijayesh Lal, general secretary of the Protestant Church of India. Archbishop Peter Machado, for his part, has warned that the bill’s approval will bring “more persecution and more hardship” for the faithful.

The proposal comes within a political context dominated by the Hindu nationalist BJP party, which has promoted narratives linking Christianity with threats to the cultural identity of the majority. International human rights organizations have already expressed concern, noting that this legislation could institutionalize discrimination and further erode religious freedom in the country.

For the nearly 30 million Christians in India, the initiative is perceived not only as a legal threat, but as a sign that their space to live and express their faith is increasingly diminishing.

The Christian community in India is experiencing growing concern following the proposal of a new bill that would toughen punishments for alleged “forced or fraudulent” religious conversions. If passed, it could worsen the already fragile situation of this minority.

The initiative provides for prison sentences of up to ten years and significant fines for those accused of inducing others to change their faith. Furthermore, anyone seeking to convert must notify authorities two months in advance, exposing themselves to official investigations into their motivations. For Christian leaders, this requirement violates religious freedom and exposes converts to a social stigma that is difficult to bear.

In states like Uttar Pradesh, where similar laws are already in effect, Christian communities report an increase in attacks, harassment, and arbitrary arrests. Activists report that extremist groups are taking advantage of these regulations to file false accusations against pastors and believers, disrupting services and creating a climate of fear.

“The danger is real: these laws are being used as a tool to intimidate ordinary Christians who simply wish to practice their faith,” warns Reverend Vijayesh Lal, general secretary of the Protestant Church of India. Archbishop Peter Machado, for his part, has warned that the bill’s approval will bring “more persecution and more hardship” for the faithful.

The proposal comes within a political context dominated by the Hindu nationalist BJP party, which has promoted narratives linking Christianity with threats to the cultural identity of the majority. International human rights organizations have already expressed concern, noting that this legislation could institutionalize discrimination and further erode religious freedom in the country.

For the nearly 30 million Christians in India, the initiative is perceived not only as a legal threat, but as a sign that their space to live and express their faith is increasingly diminishing.