NEW DELHI, India — A terrifying wave of attacks on Christians in India is shaking the nation, with 834 incidents reported in 2024—a shocking 100-case jump from the year before, according to the United Christian Forum. That’s over two Christians targeted every day just for their faith. As of April 19, 2025, the violence hasn’t stopped, with brutal assaults in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh showing how unsafe this minority has become, especially in states run by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Anti-conversion laws, police inaction, and a silent government are making things worse, leaving Christians scared to even pray in their own homes.

A Grim 2024: Attacks Double in a Year

Last year was a nightmare for India’s 2.3% Christian minority, out of a population of 1.41 billion. The United Christian Forum documented 834 attacks, while another group, the Evangelical Fellowship of India’s Religious Liberty Commission, confirmed 640, warning that fear keeps many from speaking up. Uttar Pradesh saw the worst of it with 209 incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh with 165—both states where the Bharatiya Janata Party holds power and anti-conversion laws are often twisted to target Christians. These laws let anyone accuse Christians of forced conversions, often leading to arrests over simple acts like praying at a birthday party.

The attacks were vicious: beatings, church vandalism, and families cut off from water or food to force them out of villages. In December 2024, 73 incidents hit hard, with 25 targeting Scheduled Tribes, 14 striking Dalits, and 9 involving women, showing how the most vulnerable suffer the most. On June 24, 2024, in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, a woman named Bindu Sodhi was murdered for her faith. Villagers and relatives slit her throat when she refused to abandon Christianity, then blocked her burial, brushing off the killing as a land dispute—a chilling example of how attackers often face no consequences.

2025: No Safety, Even at Home

This year, the violence has raged on. On February 16, 2025, a mob of 200 stormed a church in Bikaner, Rajasthan, during a Sunday service, swinging iron rods and leaving worshippers bloodied. Three were seriously hurt, and most had bruises. The attackers screamed about forced conversions, but police found no proof. Still, no one was charged—the pastor’s family was too terrified to fight back, and police warned them to keep quiet for their kids’ safety. On February 4, a Christian family was attacked in their home church, proving even private worship isn’t safe anymore.

The hatred has grown even uglier. On February 26, 2025, Hindu leaders in Chhattisgarh called for Christians to be raped and killed on March 1, accusing them of eating beef. Leaders like Adesh Soni and Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati rallied 50,000 people, claiming the authorities backed them. Christian groups wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, pleading for protection, but there’s no record of a reply. On a brighter note, April 18, 2025, brought some relief when several Indian pastors were freed after legal battles, a moment Christians called a “powerful answer to prayer.” But with persecution still rampant, the victory feels small.

Anti-Conversion Laws: A Weapon Against Faith

Anti-conversion laws in 11 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, are at the core of this crisis. These laws let anyone report a supposed forced conversion, forcing the accused—often Christians—to prove their innocence. In Uttar Pradesh, the law got tougher in 2024, with penalties now up to life in prison, and over 60 Christians were jailed for normal worship. Chhattisgarh drafted a similar law in January 2025, aiming to make conversions nearly impossible and punish those who don’t follow strict rules.

These laws empower Hindu nationalist groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal to attack with little fear of consequences. On May 4, 2024, in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, 22-year-old Kosa Kawasi was killed in front of his wife for refusing to ditch his faith. A mob of 20, including his own family, beat him with sticks, stabbed him, and struck him with an axe after he ignored death threats—threats the police ignored too. That same day, five other Christian families fled their homes to survive.

Government and Police: Turning a Blind Eye?

Christian leaders have begged for help. On December 31, 2024, over 400 senior leaders and 30 church groups wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, pointing to 14 attacks during the 2024 Christmas season. But the response has been weak. Modi attended a Christmas event on December 23, 2024, hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, where he spoke about global violence against Christians—like a Christmas market attack in Germany—but said nothing about India’s own crisis. Rights activist John Dayal called this “duplicity,” saying it gives Hindu extremists a free pass. Opposition leader Derek O’Brien pressed Modi to face tougher questions.

Police often make things worse. In many cases, they refuse to file First Information Reports against attackers, even when Christians report crimes. Sometimes, they file reports against the victims instead, siding with the perpetrators or warning Christians not to report to avoid more trouble. “Most of the time, reports are filed against the victims of violence, while the perpetrators go scot-free,” said A.C. Michael of the United Christian Forum, pointing to a system that’s failing Christians.

Digging Deeper: Is This a Political Game?

This isn’t a new issue—attacks on Christians spiked in the late 1990s and have soared since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has listed India as a Tier-1 country for minority persecution since 2020, alongside nations like China and North Korea. A 2025 report by International Christian Concern says Hindu nationalist groups, backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, are driving this violence, often using social media to rally mobs.

But let’s question the official story. The government claims it’s cracking down on illegal activities, not targeting Christians. Yet, the lack of convictions for attackers, paired with laws that disproportionately hit minorities, suggests a deeper agenda. Modi’s silence on domestic attacks, despite his public faith gestures, raises red flags. Is this a deliberate move to keep Hindu nationalist voters happy, especially with elections looming? Or is it just a broken system failing to protect its people? The evidence—harsher laws, police bias, and Modi’s inaction—points to a mix of both, but the government’s lack of transparency leaves room for doubt.

What’s Next for India’s Christians?

The future looks tough. Rajasthan’s new anti-conversion bill, tabled in February 2025, and Chhattisgarh’s planned law will likely make things worse. Past protests, like the 2023 New Delhi gathering of 22,000 Christians, show the community’s strength, but no major demonstrations have been reported in 2025. Instead, groups like the United Christian Forum are focusing on documenting attacks and raising global awareness, hoping to pressure the government. International watchdogs, like the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, are keeping a close eye, pushing for sanctions if India doesn’t act. At home, allies like opposition leaders and rights activists are fighting back, amplifying Christian voices and demanding change.

This crisis tests India’s claim to being the world’s largest democracy. If it can’t protect its minorities, what does that mean for its future? Christians in India are holding onto their faith, but they shouldn’t have to pray in fear. The world is watching—will India act, or will silence let the violence grow?

Published by State Gleam
Keywords: Attacks on Christians, India 2024, Anti-Conversion Laws, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Hindu Nationalists, Government Response