New Delhi, July 11, 2023 (PPI-OT): The United Christian Forum (UCF) has said that India has witnessed a staggering 400 incidents of violence against Christians across 23 states in the first half of 2023. The UCF in a statement said this figure represents a significant increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 274 incidents reported.
It said, June 2023 witnessed the highest number of incidents against Christians, with 88 reported cases, averaging almost three incidents per day. This was followed by 66 incidents in March, 63 in February, 62 in January, 50 in May, and 47 in April. Comparatively, during the same period in 2022, January had the highest number of incidents, totaling 121, averaging almost four incidents per day. May 2022 had 40 incidents, while February, April, March, and June recorded 31, 29, 28, and 25 incidents, respectively.
The Christian body pointed out that these 400 incidents of violence against the minority community have occurred nationwide, regardless of which political party is in power. Uttar Pradesh topped the chart, reporting 155 incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh with 84 incidents, Jharkhand with 35 incidents, Haryana with 32 incidents, Madhya Pradesh with 21 incidents, Punjab with 12 incidents, Karnataka with 10 incidents, Bihar with 9 incidents, and Gujarat with 7 incidents. Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, and Goa have also reported varying numbers of incidents.
The UCF reported a consistent rise in incidents of violence against Christians since 2014. It drew attention to a disturbing trend whereby Christians, despite being victims of these atrocities, face a higher number of First Information Reports (FIRs) compared to the accused. It maintained that 35 pastors remain in jail, as their repeated bail requests have been denied. Furthermore, bureaucratic delays in processing their release have left those who do secure bail still incarcerated. Despite numerous appeals made by Christian community leaders to the President, Prime Minister, and Home Minister, no response has been received thus far, the UCF said.
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