Dozens of Christians killed and churches destroyed in India

The catastrophe of persecuted Christians in India continues. According to local sources, the cause of such extreme violence is the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party has a nationalist platform that harasses and fuels confrontation against Christians. After his resignation, Vanramchhuanga stated that: “despite the fact that the militants had already burned 357 Christian temples and buildings belonging to different Churches, the government had done nothing to condemn or denounce these actions.” Therefore, “the massive demolition of Christian churches in Manipur has been supported by state and central authorities.”

The start of the clashes was due to a request by the Meitei group to be registered on the list of disadvantaged groups with access to subsidized benefits. This fact became a violent response towards the Christian hill tribes, the Kuki and the Naga. The violent attacks by the Meitei military groups led to the burning of entire villages, the death of more than a hundred innocent Kuki civilians and the destruction of Catholic and Protestant churches, many of them belonging to Meitei Christians. For what can be described as an open persecution against Christians.

Hate, extreme violence and persecution against Christians is being a war against Christians that has to have visibility and a voice, otherwise the governments of other countries will be participating in this unfortunate situation. The videos and images that come from India are devastating and apart from violating the rights of religious freedom, the human rights of all these people are being ignored. From the SIT we denounce this situation and we call for the need for help and rescue to all the persecuted Christians of the world who are suffering an unprecedented hatred.