More than 400 Christian leaders in India ended 2024 with a strongly-worded appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put an end to a surge in violence against Christians that was especially heightened during the Christmas season.
Modi is a member of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which has instigated much of the violence against Christians and whose activity has increased under his government.
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In the Dec. 31 appeal to the government of Modi and President Smt. Draupadi Murmu, the Christian leaders stated there were more than 720 cases of violence against Christians reported to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFIRLC) between January and mid-December, and 760 cases recorded by United Christian Forum (UCF) through the end of November.
‘Rising hate speech’
“It saddens us deeply that almost all political leaders from the highest [levels] in the Union government and the states have chosen not to condemn them,” stated the letter to the prime minister and president. “Rising hate speech, especially from elected officials, has emboldened acts of violence against Christians. Mobs disrupt peaceful Christian gatherings and threaten carol singers with impunity.”
The letter noted at least 14 incidents targeting Christians during the Christmas season, ranging from threats and disruptions to arrests and outright attacks, “underscoring an alarming trend of rising intolerance and hostility.”
India ranked 11th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The country was 31st in 2013, but its position worsened after Modi came to power.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Morning Star News.
