Kochi: The KCBC Vigilance Commission has expressed grave concern over the increasing frequency of attacks and hate campaigns targeting the Christian community across India. In a sharply worded statement, the commission condemned the recent violent assault on Catholic priests and nuns in Odisha, calling it “deeply disturbing and extremely condemnable,” especially coming just days after a similar incident involving two nuns in Chhattisgarh.
The commission pointed to alarming reports suggesting that the Bajrang Dal, a hardline Hindutva outfit affiliated with the Sangh Parivar, was behind both attacks. "This connection is not only shocking but indicative of an organized and escalating pattern of aggression against the Christian minority," the statement noted.
Highlighting a growing climate of fear, the Vigilance Commission observed that such incidents are rarely isolated but often emerge from toxic hate campaigns and systematic misinformation. “Extremist religious organizations, through continuous propaganda and false allegations, are creating an environment of hostility. These campaigns are not just verbal or online; they have now translated into physical violence,” it warned.
The commission also did not shy away from addressing the situation closer to home. It observed that Kerala too has witnessed a surge in communal polarization, driven by malicious narratives targeting Christians. “False narratives and wild accusations have been spreading across the state, and they are laying the groundwork for possible future violence,” it said.
Calling for immediate action, the KCBC Vigilance Commission reminded the government of its constitutional obligations. “The right to religious freedom and personal security is enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It is the duty of the government and the judicial system to ensure that these rights are upheld not just on paper, but in the everyday lives of citizens.”
The statement ended with an urgent appeal for both state and central governments to take strong, uncompromising steps to rein in hate-driven organizations and prevent India from sliding further into communal unrest.
As the country grapples with a rising tide of religious intolerance, the Christian community, along with other minorities, continues to demand safety, justice, and a reaffirmation of their rightful place in the fabric of the Indian democracy.