Bhopal: A troubling pattern of targeted violence and legal harassment against Christians is intensifying in Madhya Pradesh, with an investigation by The Quint pointing to coordinated attacks and fabricated religious conversion allegations against the minority community.
Christians, who make up less than one per cent of the state’s population, are facing sustained intimidation from hardline Hindutva groups, often with alleged support or inaction from authorities. The report documents both physical assaults and the systematic misuse of laws to suppress religious freedom.
A shocking incident in Jabalpur last December highlights the severity of the situation. Safalta Karthik, a visually impaired Dalit woman, was publicly assaulted and humiliated by a local BJP leader for attending a Christmas gathering, despite not being a Christian. The attack reflects a disturbing overlap of caste and religious hostility.
The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021 has become a key instrument in this crackdown. Intended to prevent forced conversions, it is increasingly used to detain pastors and believers based on questionable complaints. Groups like Bajrang Dal are accused of filing false cases through proxy complainants.
Pastor Manoj Pillai, a Dalit Christian and former Shiv Sena worker, was jailed for over two months under such allegations. Similar accusations—often unproven—claim conversions are carried out through financial inducements.
Mob violence has also disrupted prayer meetings, with attacks captured on CCTV showing armed groups targeting worshippers. Victims report living in constant fear, while extremist leaders openly claim protection from police.
Economic pressure compounds the persecution. Several pastors have been forced to sell homes or shut businesses after being implicated in cases.
Even journalists face threats, revealing a widening climate of hostility. Despite this, victims continue to resist, asserting their rights in the face of escalating repression.