Catholic Church leaders met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to express their concern about the growing hostility towards Christians in the country. It was the first meeting of the church leaders with Modi, a month after he was elected for the third consecutive time. They demanded Modi’s intervention to end the atrocities committed against Christians.
Editorial (07/23/2024 10:13, Gaudium Press) On July 20, an eight-member delegation from the United Christian Forum (UCF) met with the Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, to “urge state governments to repeal the anti-conversion law,” as it is “used as a weapon against religious minorities,” justified the group.
Strict laws criminalizing conversion have been enacted in 11 Indian states, most of them governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In theory, they prohibit forcing, coercing, or fraudulently influencing any Hindu to follow another religion. But in practice, it is used to prevent Hindus from leaving the traditional religion, including for Christianity.
Family members and neighbours abuse the law and file reports with the police when they discover more people have turned to Jesus or as a form of revenge for personal conflicts. Christians and local partners reported that the persecution structure is maintained by the BJP government, which has dominated India for ten years and was re-elected in the last elections.
The Christian Forum is concerned about anti-Christian violence in the country. Its delegation has now handed a memorandum to the responsible minister, referring to the growing persecution of Christians. “The minister agreed to review our complaints,” said A.C. Michael, a member of the delegation, to UCA News. The issue will continue to be discussed with the federal government and affected provinces in the future.
Numerous Documented Incidents
The memorandum details religious persecution, including murder, false accusations, social boycott, and denial of cemeteries. In 2023, there were 727 incidents of violence against Christians, a “disturbing trend,” according to the memorandum, which lists “an astounding 361 incidents of targeted attacks” against Christians in this year, 2024.
The main cause of the attacks was “false allegations of fraudulent [religious] conversions,” it continues. The police also conspire with right-wing groups to target Christians, who make up only 2.3% of India’s 1.4 billion people.
The delegation also informed the minister that Christians are being mercilessly beaten to death simply because of their faith, even though the Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom.
Bishop Peter Machado of Bangalore sees a link between the anti-conversion bill and the growing attacks on Christians. Indeed, during a May 16 hearing on the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court found that “some parts [of the law] appear to violate the fundamental right to religion guaranteed in Article 25 of the Constitution.”
On July 12, Catholic Church leaders had already met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. They expressed their concern about the growing hostility towards Christians in the country. It was the first meeting of the church leaders with Modi, a month after he was elected for the third consecutive time.
They demanded Modi’s intervention to end the atrocities committed against Christians.
Compiled by Camille Mittermeier
