Activists call Modi-Church meeting an attempt to legitimise inaction on Christian safety

The recent engagement of senior Christian leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Christmas programmes raised concern among prominent activists, who alarmed the growing insecurity of the Christian community for they being the victims of persecution and violence.

Over 200 prominent individuals, including Tushar Gandhi, Annie Raja, Father Cedric Prakash, John Dayal, and Shabnam Hashmi, have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the rising persecution of Christians in India.

The statement highlights the growing trend of targeted violence against Christians, particularly in rural areas. Various reports indicate a significant escalation in incidents of physical attacks, harassment, and vandalism of Christian institutions and churches.

According to data cited in the statement, 327 incidents of violence were reported in 2021, which rose to over 486 in 2022, including cases of physical violence and intimidation. This upward trend continued in 2024, with 745 incidents recorded from January to November alone.

The signatories also questioned the implications of the interactions between PM Modi and senior Church leaders, suggesting that they may be seen as attempts to legitimise government inaction in protecting Christians.

The statement references a scheduled Christmas celebration on 23 December 2024, organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister is expected to participate.

The statement draws attention to the increasing influence of Hindutva nationalism in exacerbating anti-minority sentiments. Religious nationalist groups such as the Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad have been accused of instigating violence against Christians in several states.

Churches and Christian institutions have often been targeted in these attacks. The statement notes that in 2021, at least 15 churches were vandalised or set on fire, and similar attacks continued in 2022, including an incident in Delhi. It also cites the destruction of over 200 churches during the ethnic violence in Manipur earlier this year, which claimed numerous lives.

The misuse of anti-conversion laws enacted by 13 states has been highlighted as a tool for targeting Christians. The statement accuses the government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of failing to safeguard minority rights and alleges that Hindu nationalist groups involved in such violence often receive tacit support from authorities. The inclusion of India on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) “Countries of Particular Concern” list in 2021 is also mentioned as an indication of the international community’s awareness of these issues.

The signatories call for accountability and action from both the government and Christian leadership to address the threats faced by the Christian community. They urge Christian leaders to raise their voices against these injustices and demand stronger protections for their community. The statement concludes by emphasising the need for decisive measures to curb the rising tide of violence and safeguard the constitutional rights of Christians in India.