161 Attacks Against Christians in 75 Days
Why Do Attacks Increase Around Elections?
Newsreel Asia Insight #177
March 31, 2024
At least 161 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded in India in the first 75 days of 2024, according to a report. This surge in attacks comes as the country prepares for parliamentary elections.
These incidents were reported through a toll-free helpline from various parts of India between Jan. 1 and March 15, according to the Delhi-based United Christian Forum (UCF), whose convener, A.C. Michael, detailed the monthly breakdown of the attacks: 70 in January, 62 in February, and 29 in the first half of March, as reported by The Telegraph.
Chhattisgarh, known for its social ostracisation of Christians, reported the highest number of incidents, with 47 cases of violence. Michael pointed out the severe discrimination faced by Christians in the state, including denial of access to community water sources and burial rites, with threats of forced cremation and physical assaults on Christian families.
Uttar Pradesh, with 36 reported incidents, was identified as the second most perilous state for Christians. Michael accused the local authorities of state-sponsored harassment, citing false allegations of conversion against Christian pastors.
Historically, the targeting of Christians in India began in 1998, coinciding with Sonia Gandhi’s appointment as the president of the Congress party. Ms. Gandhi is of Catholic descent, and attacks in the initial years, with an alleged role of Hindu nationalist groups linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seemed aimed at compelling her to denounce the persecution, thereby branding the Congress as a minority-focused party.
The first major incident of mass violence against Christians occurred in the tribal district of Dangs in Gujarat in December 1998. Notably, large-scale violence against Christians has been prevalent in areas with substantial tribal communities, such as Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district and Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
According to a study by Pew Research released in July 2021, about 33% of the Indian Christians identify as Dalits, and 24% identify as tribals. However, political resistance to alleged conversions to Christianity is fiercer where tribal people are in majority, possibly because tribals are often perceived as indecisive voters, in contrast to Dalits, who are less likely to support the BJP.
The Congress party blames the BJP for creating social and political divisions on religious lines, and accuses it of using the “conversion” issue to deflect any scrutiny on its allegedly poor performance in governance, economy and the country foreign relations.
Between 1999 and 2014, annual attacks on Christians ranged between 100 and 200, escalating further after the BJP’s electoral victory in 2014.
The security of Christians, long ensnared in political crossfire, seems increasingly jeopardized during election seasons.
In 2021, with 486 recorded incidents, as per UCF, violence against Christians reached its peak, coinciding with five state elections, seven Lok Sabha by-elections and numerous state legislative assembly by-elections.
The year 2022 witnessed seven state legislative elections, including in politically pivotal states like Uttar Pradesh, along with eight local elections, 15 local body elections, and by-elections for 45 state legislative assembly seats. Newsclickreported over 500 violent incidents against Christians in 2022.
In 2023, elections for nine state legislatures were conducted, accompanied by multiple by-elections for state legislative assemblies and local bodies. The year saw more than 670 reported attacks on Christians, according to UCF.
The year 2024 marks a major election season, featuring seven legislative elections and the national general election.