New Delhi: Christian leaders in India have accused authorities of using anti-conversion laws as tools to persecute religious minorities. The United Christian Forum (UCF) expressed concerns over the increase in violence and discriminatory acts against Christians in areas governed predominantly by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to Kashmir Media Service, the UCF met with Kiren Rijiju, the Indian Minister of Minority Affairs, in Delhi to discuss these issues. They presented a memorandum urging the repeal of these laws, which are active in 11 states. The document outlines a significant uptick in violent incidents targeting Christians, with 727 cases recorded in 2023 and 361 in the first half of 2024 alone.
States like Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, both under BJP leadership, have witnessed the highest numbers of such incidents. The memorandum highlights instances where police reportedly cooperated with Hindutva groups to orchestrate attacks on Christians, who make up a mere 2.3% of India’s vast population. It also documented extreme cases of persecution, including murders, false accusations, social ostracism, and the denial of burial rights, all occurring despite constitutional protections for religious freedom.