Catholic church accuses BJP of fueling anti-Christian violence
text_fields
The Catholic Church has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Kerala, accusing the party of fostering an environment that has led to rising violence against Christians in BJP-ruled states.
In an editorial titled “Cow Dung Force-Feeders”, published in its official mouthpiece – Deepika, the Church highlighted what it described as a disturbing increase in attacks on Christians across several parts of the country governed by the BJP.
The editorial referred to a recent incident in Odisha in which a pastor was allegedly assaulted during a prayer meeting and forced to eat cow dung by rightwing extremists.
According to the piece, the attackers fled the scene chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
Questioning the silence of the Union government on such incidents, the editorial argued that these attacks could be prevented if there was sufficient “political will.”
While noting that similar incidents have not occurred in Kerala, it urged people to remain vigilant.
“Poisonous rhetoric prepares communal minds. Those who claim they will prevent communalism in Kerala have failed to curb such hate speech elsewhere,” the editorial said. It also alleged that anti-conversion laws passed by BJP-led state governments have emboldened groups such as the Bajrang Dal.
The editorial cited a recent India Hate Lab report, which found that 88% of hate speech incidents targeting minority communities, including Christians and Muslims, occurred in BJP-ruled states. The report also recorded a 41% rise in hate speech against Christians, increasing from 115 cases in 2024 to 162 in 2025.
It further referenced an annual global study by the US Holocaust Museum, which ranked India fourth among 168 countries assessed for the risk of mass violence.
According to The Hindu, Church authorities said that attacks on Christians in North India have triggered widespread anxiety among Kerala’s Catholic community, especially as the BJP attempts to expand its political footprint in the state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.