How uptick in anti-Christian violence threatens Indian democracy
In India where documented attacks against Christians jumped 81% from 2020 to 2021. Mobs have vandalized churches, attacked missionary schools, disrupted prayer meets, and assaulted pastors and practicing Christians, accusing them of forced conversions. Survivors and activists say authorities have failed to investigate these incidents, often filing charges against the victims themselves, turning a blind eye to the violence. \
Religious tolerance has long been a contentious issue in Hindu-majority India. Christians constitute just over 2% of India’s 1.4 billion population – a demographic that has not significantly changed over the decades – and Muslims make up roughly 15%. The violence against these minorities has increased as politicians from the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have pushed controversial anti-conversion laws.
Altogether, these developments are raising alarm among experts, who say Hindutva – a political ideology that sees non-Hindu religions as a threat to Indian culture and identity – betrays the promise of a secular democracy made by India’s founders.
“Hindu nationalism is relying on force, government force or state force, and simultaneous vigilante action to generate fear,” says Ashutosh Varshney, professor of international studies and social sciences at Brown University. “If it fully succeeds, it would reduce India’s [religious] minorities to second-class citizens.”
Last year saw 505 documented cases of attacks against Christians and their places of worship, according to the United Christian Forum. They describe these acts as “well-orchestrated and pre-planned” with the aim to “divide the country on the basis of religion.”
The persecution of Christians isn’t new, says A.C. Michael, national coordinator of the United Christian Forum, but it is becoming more political.
Since 2017, six BJP-ruled states have passed or updated anti-conversion laws – sometimes known as freedom of religion acts – that prohibit religious conversion by force or deception. Nine Indian states have such laws today, with the oldest dating back to 1967. Mr. Michael says that no Christian has ever been convicted of forced conversion.
How uptick in anti-Christian violence threatens Indian democracy (yahoo.com)
It is increasingly becoming a matter of concern for me when I read distressing news about fellow Christians being targeted for their faith. It has come to my attention that recently there has been a disturbing trend where majority groups in India have begun a smear campaign to demonize Indian Christians. It must be kept in mind that most of the saved Christian converts from India are from marginalized tier of the India society. I would urge everyone reading this to at least start looking into these trends and raise your voice so we can help in any way we can!
In India where documented attacks against Christians jumped 81% from 2020 to 2021. Mobs have vandalized churches, attacked missionary schools, disrupted prayer meets, and assaulted pastors and practicing Christians, accusing them of forced conversions. Survivors and activists say authorities have failed to investigate these incidents, often filing charges against the victims themselves, turning a blind eye to the violence. \
Religious tolerance has long been a contentious issue in Hindu-majority India. Christians constitute just over 2% of India’s 1.4 billion population – a demographic that has not significantly changed over the decades – and Muslims make up roughly 15%. The violence against these minorities has increased as politicians from the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have pushed controversial anti-conversion laws.
Altogether, these developments are raising alarm among experts, who say Hindutva – a political ideology that sees non-Hindu religions as a threat to Indian culture and identity – betrays the promise of a secular democracy made by India’s founders.
“Hindu nationalism is relying on force, government force or state force, and simultaneous vigilante action to generate fear,” says Ashutosh Varshney, professor of international studies and social sciences at Brown University. “If it fully succeeds, it would reduce India’s [religious] minorities to second-class citizens.”
Last year saw 505 documented cases of attacks against Christians and their places of worship, according to the United Christian Forum. They describe these acts as “well-orchestrated and pre-planned” with the aim to “divide the country on the basis of religion.”
The persecution of Christians isn’t new, says A.C. Michael, national coordinator of the United Christian Forum, but it is becoming more political.
Since 2017, six BJP-ruled states have passed or updated anti-conversion laws – sometimes known as freedom of religion acts – that prohibit religious conversion by force or deception. Nine Indian states have such laws today, with the oldest dating back to 1967. Mr. Michael says that no Christian has ever been convicted of forced conversion.
How uptick in anti-Christian violence threatens Indian democracy (yahoo.com)
It is increasingly becoming a matter of concern for me when I read distressing news about fellow Christians being targeted for their faith. It has come to my attention that recently there has been a disturbing trend where majority groups in India have begun a smear campaign to demonize Indian Christians. It must be kept in mind that most of the saved Christian converts from India are from marginalized tier of the India society. I would urge everyone reading this to at least start looking into these trends and raise your voice so we can help in any way we can!
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