Violence against Christians in the first few months of 2024 has increased, according to a report released in Delhi by the United Christian Forum (UCF), an ecumenical group.

The report has been drawn based on the complaints received on the UCF’s toll-free helpline number between January 1 and March 15, 2024, from across the country.

“With barely a few weeks for parliamentary elections, the first 75 days of 2024 have seen a large-scale erosion of basic fundamental rights and protection of Indian Christians. Between January 1 and March 15, 161 incidents of violence against Christians were reported on our toll-free number,” said UCF convenor A.C. Michael. “January witnessed 70 incidents of violence against Christians followed by 62 incidents in February and 29 incidents in 15 days of March,” added Michael.

“Chhattisgarh, a state notoriously known for social ostracization of Christians, leads the state in assaults against Christians with 47 incidents of reported violence. Christians are being denied access to water from the community bore well of the village,” claimed Michael.

“In this state, sadly, even dead Christians are not spared as many were denied burial as per Christian rituals. Local villagers have been threatening to cremate the bodies as a final act of Gharwapasi (a term used to return to the old religion). As in the Christmas period of 2022, Christians are again being chased out of their own homes. Locals are physically assaulting, threatening their lives and vandalising their homes,” alleged Michael.

Incidentally, Chhattisgarh witnessed violence against Christians in December 2022 during the Congress rule. It was second in terms of attacks against Christians last year as per the UCF report with 148 incidents reported between January and November 2023. The BJP came to power in December last year.

“Uttar Pradesh, home to 80 Lok Sabha seats, with 36 incidents, ranks in the second position of states. There is clear evidence of state-sponsored harassment of Christians in this state as the police file false allegations of conversion against the pastors even for praying in birthday parties and other social gatherings,” said Michael.