More than three hundred violent attacks committed against Christians in India this year
Agenzia Fides presented a report made by Christian civil institutions. According to the report, more than three hundred violent attacks have been carried out against Christians in India this year.
The report, written by a group of Christian organizations, in 2021 reports more than 300 episodes of violence against Christians in India. The document, sent to Fides, is drawn up by NGOs such as “United Against Hate”, “Association for Protection of Civil Rights” and “United Christian Forum” and others.
“What is happening to Christians in India is nothing new. This has been happening with frightening regularity in the States governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for more than 20 years”, comments Fr. Cedric Prakash, Jesuit scholar and writer, active in the defence and promotion of human rights.
“However, since 2014 the members linked to the ‘Hindutva’ ideology (which advocates a Hindu religious nationalism) have carried forward their agenda with violence and hate propaganda against religious minorities, such as Christians and Muslims, enjoying greater impunity”, he explains.
“Even the most uncompromising Hindu leaders hide behind immunity saying: we are the leaders; no one can touch us, nothing will happen to us”, says Father Prakash. “Attacks and threats have increased dramatically. This is totally against the Constitution, the democratic ethos and the pluralistic fabric of the Country. The Indian people must stand up to stop this fanaticism immediately before it is too late”, he says.
According to the report entitled “Christians under attack in India”, released on October 21, most of the attacks against Christians are reported in three states of northern India such as Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi.
Source: Agenzia Fides