December 6, 2025
Web desk
Around 2,000 Christians from more than 200 denominations gathered at the National Christian Convention in New Delhi on November 29, urging the Indian government to ensure religious freedom as violence and discrimination against Christians continue to rise. Advocacy group CSW reported a 500% increase in targeted attacks on Christians between 2014 and 2024.
According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), over 830 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded in 2024, a sharp rise from 139 cases in 2014. Many attacks involved assaulting pastors over unverified “forced conversion” claims and vandalising churches. Concerns were also raised about anti-conversion laws and the 1950 Presidential Order, which denies Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians.
Speakers highlighted that discriminatory policies have trapped millions of Dalits in long-term poverty by limiting education, employment and land rights. At the same time, tribal Christians in mineral-rich states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha face pressure and risk being removed from the Scheduled Tribe list. A simultaneous protest outside Parliament saw 3,500 people accusing authorities of failing to stop the violence and often arresting victims instead of attackers.
CSW urged the Indian government to uphold constitutional protections and ensure accountability for perpetrators of violence. Delegates announced plans to draft a national manifesto calling for equal rights and protection for Christians and Dalits. The USCIRF also recommended that the U.S. designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing systematic religious freedom violations.
