In 2024, violence against Christians in India saw a sharp increase, with over 840 incidents reported throughout the year, according to data from the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI). Of these, 640 cases were verified by the organization’s Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC).
The data from EFI’s Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC) paints a troubling picture of religious intolerance across the country. The highest number of incidents were recorded in states like Uttar Pradesh, which had 188 cases, followed by Chhattisgarh with 150, Rajasthan (40), Punjab (38), Madhya Pradesh (37), Haryana (34), and several other regions. These incidents involve a variety of attacks, including physical assaults, vandalism of churches, disruption of prayer meetings, and social exclusion. The most common targets of these attacks are pastors, churches, and Christians attending prayer services, with incidents frequently escalating during religious gatherings, especially on Sundays.
Reports indicate that on average, four to five churches or pastors face attacks every day, with significant spikes in violence during key months like January (71 incidents), September (68), March (64), and October (62). The timing of these attacks often coincides with sensitive political periods, such as during the general elections in April and May, when 45 cases were reported each month.
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a hotspot for violence against Christians. The Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, which was designed to prevent “forced conversions”, has been widely misused to target Christians, according to the organisation.
“Pastors and believers were frequently arrested under false allegations of forced conversions. Many of these individuals were simply conducting prayer meetings, attending family gatherings, or offering spiritual guidance,” the organisation said.
“Religious extremist groups frequently raid prayer services and disrupt worship while accusing Christians of coercion. In several instances, law enforcement action has led to the arrest of victims rather than those responsible for the violence. Legal experts note that lower courts regularly deny bail, prolonging unjust imprisonment for many believers.”
One particular case took place in Khaga, Fatehpur district, on December 27, when Pastor Shivbharan was attacked, forcibly shaved, and paraded through his village. Despite the brutality of the assault, Pastor Shivbharan was charged under the state’s anti-conversion law.
In Chhattisgarh, the situation is no better. With 150 reported cases this year, Christian communities, particularly in tribal areas, face ongoing violence, social ostracism, and economic deprivation. In Jashpur district, Pastor Mahesh Mahanand and other Christians were attacked while returning from a lunch gathering. Pastor Mahanand was left unconscious and required hospitalization. In Narayanpur district, Christian families were summoned to a village council, where they were pressured to renounce their faith or face violent consequences.
Punjab and Rajasthan, regions not traditionally associated with high levels of religious violence, have also seen a rise in attacks on Christians. In Punjab, Pastor Bhagwan Singh was severely beaten during a prayer service in Jalandhar on January 23. He later succumbed to his injuries on February 19, 2024.
The report says that the misuse of anti-conversion laws is a central issue fueling the violence. “Laws meant to prevent forced conversions are instead weaponized to harass religious minorities. The burden of proof often falls on the accused, making legal defense extremely difficult,” it says. A case in point occurred on May 5 in Sipah village, Bihar, where extremists locked a church during a service, assaulted worshippers, and falsely accused them of forced conversion. Four individuals were detained but later released. This was the second attack on the same church in just three months.
The increasing violence against Christians is compounded by challenges in seeking justice, according to the report. “Despite the increasing number of attacks, legal justice seems elusive. Many victims are too afraid to file complaints due to fear of police inaction, intimidation, or retaliation from their attackers. Even when cases are registered, they often result in delays, acquittals, or wrongful imprisonment of victims instead of perpetrators,” the report said,
The Evangelical Fellowship of India has called on the Indian government and law enforcement agencies to take immediate action to protect religious minorities and ensure that justice is served. This includes providing police protection to vulnerable Christian communities, holding extremist groups accountable for instigating violence, and preventing the misuse of anti-conversion laws. The EFI has also urged the government to strengthen legal safeguards for victims of religious persecution and ensure that cases involving religious minorities are handled fairly and impartially.
The Christian community in India continues to face escalating violence, with the actual number of attacks likely higher than the reported figures due to underreporting and fear of reprisals, according to the report.
“The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to live without fear of persecution. It is imperative that these rights are upheld so that every Indian, regardless of faith, can worship freely and without fear,” the report said.
The EFI has also recommended that the government enact a national law to combat targeted communal violence, advise states to repeal unconstitutional anti-conversion laws, and take stricter actions against hate groups. It has urged reforms to ensure that police and judicial systems are more responsive to cases involving religious violence and discrimination.
The Religious Liberty Commission (RLC), part of the EFI, has been documenting incidents of hate and violence against Christians since its establishment in 1998. It has also been working to provide legal and practical support to victims of religious persecution.
