The drastic increase in atrocities against Christians in India

Aggressions and atrocities against the Christian community in India have shown an alarming increase in recent years. According to data provided by the United Christian Forum (UCF), in the first 190 days of 2023, 400 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded in 23 states of India. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 155 cases, followed by Chhattisgarh with 84, Jharkhand with 35 and Haryana with 32.

The state of Uttar Pradesh has become a worrying hotspot, with six districts particularly affected, including Jaunpur, Rae Bareilly, Sitapur, Kanpur, Azamgarh and Kushinagar. Meanwhile, Bastar, in Chhattisgarh, leads the list of incidents at the district level with 31 cases.

The most violent month of 2023 to date has been June, with 88 incidents (an average of three a day). In comparison, during the same period in 2022, the total was 274, demonstrating a marked increase in attacks.

UCF statistics reveal that violence has increased consistently since 2014, going from 147 incidents that year to 599 in 2022. So far in 2023, the figure has already reached 400 cases.

Ironically, despite being victims of these attacks, Christians face a large number of lawsuits and arrests, in many cases under false accusations of religious conversions. 63 criminal complaints have been registered and 35 pastors remain incarcerated, facing systematic bail denials. Community leaders have requested protection from the central government, but have not received a response.

The case was brought before the Supreme Court of India, where the government opposed it. On July 14, the court will review requests from a special investigation group, police protection and legal assistance for victims. The community hopes that justice will be achieved and their safety guaranteed in a country that prides itself on its religious diversity.