New Delhi: Six Christian families in a village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma District have been expelled from their homes after refusing to revert to Hinduism, highlighting ongoing religious tensions in the region.

The families, who converted to Christianity seven years ago, faced increasing pressure from the local Hindu community. A village council meeting, led by the Sarpanch, decided the fate of the 13 Christian families, ultimately expelling the six who resisted renouncing their faith.

Their belongings were reportedly loaded onto a tractor-trailer and left in a forest, leaving the families without shelter, food, or water. Christian leaders have condemned the eviction as a violation of human rights, urging government intervention to protect the affected families.

Human rights organisations report a rise in violence against Christians in India since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in 2014. The Sangh Parivar, a coalition of right-wing Hindu groups, has been accused of inciting violence against Christians.

The incident occurs amid accusations between the BJP and Congress regarding illegal religious conversions, though neither party has substantiated these claims with evidence. Such allegations have previously led to violence against Christians by extremist groups.

The international community has taken notice of the situation. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has classified India as a Tier 1 country for minority persecution. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the violence and called for action.

The eviction in Sukma District underscores the pressing issue of Christian persecution in India, with calls for the government to safeguard minority rights and hold perpetrators accountable.