Violence Against Christians in India – “Christmas 2025 Edition”

Since these violences take form every single year, we have named it “2025 Edition”.

(Sources at the end of the article.)

Harassment of Church Worship Services

Churches in parts of India such as Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat – face severe harassment from political goons who operate under the guise of religion. As covered by many media houses, the perpetrators mainly belong from the BJP-RSS (right-wing) political houses of India. In these instances, party workers and fanatics can be witnessed creating ruckus in front of churches by staging demonstrations and chants with the object to disrupt worship services and convert Christians through creating pressure on the community.

Throughout the year, incidents like these have been reported of goons barging into churches to stop worship services. In one instance, an extremist walked up to the lectern to sing chants of Hinduism while members sat in the church scared and unnerved.

Demolition of Churches

In many places in India, churches are demolished by extremists while law enforcement authorities stand and watch. Church members have risked their lives to record such incidents, however to our utter shame, nothing could be done to prevent these incidents.

Attacks on House Worship Services

House worship services are also not outside the target of these religious and political extremists, as several instances have been reported where Christian houses were barged into by the goons on the pretext of conversions. The conditions are often so pathetic that based on even these pathetic claims, worshippers are arrested and harassed by even the police and authorities.

Attack on Children’s Carols

In an incident widely reported from Kerala, a children’s carol group was attacked by a BJP-RSS affiliated extremist. Can we pause for a second and imagine the kind of hatred and corruption of heart one requires to attack children singing songs? Is this humanity?

Well, let me remind you that only a year ago entire Christian villages (with more than 300 churches) were burnt and demolished in Manipur by extremists who were backed by these same powers. An entire community of Christians destroyed. I screamed and cried knowing that this is a cancer of hatred only looking to spread. Now it churns my heart that we finally have reached that time when Christians are persecuted all across India.

The world does not care. Apparently it’s not cool enough to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians.

Why is the Christian Community Being Targeted in India?

We are targeted in India because of reasons both internal and external.

Internal Reasons

Reflecting on our failures.

1. Para-Christian predatory organisations. Although mainline churches are not actively involved in conversion, many “para-Christian organisations” have been founded by individuals that do engage in conversion activities. These organisations aren’t real churches but operate like pyramid schemes, converting people, raising funds, and often misquoting scriptures to lure Christians out of churches into their organisation.
   
   Although not legitimate Christian organisations, these organisations appear to be Christian to an outsider, and thus bring hate and shame on the entire Christian community.
   
2. Low population and negligible governmental representation. The Christian population in India is reported to be around 2.3% and in decline. Because the community is a ‘microscopic minority”, with Christians rarely opting for administrative roles in the government – Christians lack the administrative power or support to protect themselves. This makes the community an easy target for perpetrators.

External Reasons

Reflecting on issues not in our control.

1. BJP is a right-wing fascist party. This means that they are more interested in a homogeneous population that is easier to control. By choosing to base their support on extremist ideologies, BJP can easily appease their majority vote-bank by scapegoating the minorities. This is a textbook political strategy that has been used throughout history. Unfortunately, extremism is often caused by a lack of education.

As the saying goes:

“You can silence 50 intelligent men with 1 fact. But you can’t silence 1 idiot with 50 facts.”

2. Christian institutions are wealthy. It is a known fact that right-wing parties born out of hatred and extremism are unsustainable in the long-term. Lack of education, economic strategies, and poor vision always ruins them. Leaders provide directions to a country, and earlier leaders used to be lawyers, scientists, economists, and architects – as a result they gave life to their vision.

Since our leaders have no vision for the country, they are forced to squeeze money out of institutions to fill their coffers. This strategy is not only used on Christians but also on premiere educational institutions like the IITs, and the Muslim community as well through the recent “Waqf Bil 2025”.

Now that we have realised the intensity and reality of the persecuted Indian Christian community, let’s analyse the steps we can take to stand united in the face of rising injustice and oppression of Christians.

Steps to Make an Impact

Although situations and political powers may seem to dim the light of hope for the Indian Christian community, we can surely work to stand against persecution of Christians in India.

1. Pray for the Persecuted Christians: as believers in Christ, the first thing we can do is to pray to God. Yes, he is aware of our problems but the power of prayer is witnessed only after we come to Him in prayer.
   
2. Boycott Organisations Engaged in Mass Conversion: it is our duty to maintain norms and standards for our community. If fellow Christians misuse the scriptures for conversion, or entice people with promises – it should be us who must stand against these organisations. As a student of Theology and member of a mainline church, it boils my blood to see organisations randomly spring up and convert people. Imagine the suffering and threat it presents to people of other religions.
   
   There is a MASSIVE difference between spreading the good news of God and mass conversion of people, a difference between the Church of God and conversion agencies seeking money and donations.
   
3. Encourage Christian Youth Involvement in Governance: it is not a news that Christians are severely under-represented in the government and governance of India. When asked to name Christian politicians, we can’t seem to recall anyone else other than the MP Derek O’Brien. The Indian Christian community must encourage their youth and students to study and aim for positions in governance and administration rather than only creative outlets. This not only ensures protection of the community, but also involvement and contribution of the community to national affairs.
   
4. Our Behaviour: we must pause to think whether our behaviour sets us apart from the rest. If we truly are even Christians. Are we only following a set of traditions and rituals? Or are we really invested in growing closer to God, and practicing the Christian virtues of love and forgiveness. People speak before religion, theology, or scriptures – this means that people learn about Christianity from our actions and behaviours rather than what we speak or our ideology.
   
   Even as Satan wrongs us through the emotions and materials of the world, let us ensure that we reach God without our hearts being tainted and filled with hatred. Like Christ Jesus, and the pillars of faith that came after Him, let us forgive our enemies even from the cross – the light shines the brightest amidst a world filled with darkness. Let us not set our standards and norms according to the world, but in accordance with our Father in Heaven, who is perfect.

Amidst the increasing persecution of Indian Christians, let us not resort to violence and hatred but rather be filled with the strength of God to overcome evil. Remember, Mary and Joseph survived the persecution under even King Herod, because of Immanuel – God with us.