New Delhi: Over the past 12 years, around 4959 incidents of violence and harassment against Christians have been reported across India, raising serious concerns about the safety of the minority community. Reports from Christian organizations say that the number of such cases has grown by nearly 500 percent in the last decade.
Most of these cases involve physical attacks, threats, church vandalism, and disruption of prayer gatherings. Despite the rise in incidents, only a few cases have resulted in police investigations or legal action, according to church groups and rights monitors.
The United Christian Forum and other organizations that track these incidents say that 2024 alone recorded more than 834 acts of violence against Christians. This was a sharp rise compared to 734 cases in 2023. The numbers indicate that on average, two incidents were reported every day in the country.
The states of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh recorded the highest number of cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Many of these attacks are linked to allegations of forced religious conversions, a charge that Christian leaders strongly deny.
Reports show that in 2024, the most common types of incidents included threats or harassment, arrests under anti-conversion laws, physical violence, and vandalism of churches. Four people were reportedly killed in faith-related attacks during the year.
Rights groups point out that only about half of the reported incidents are registered as official police cases, leaving many victims without justice. They also say that local authorities often fail to act, especially in states where anti-conversion laws are used against pastors and believers.
Human rights advocates have urged the central and state governments to ensure stronger protection for religious minorities and stricter action against hate crimes. They warn that continued inaction may deepen fear among Christians and weaken the country’s commitment to religious freedom.
Church leaders across India have called for peace and dialogue, stressing that the Christian community has long contributed to education, healthcare, and social service in the country. They hope that justice and understanding will prevail over intolerance and violence.