A sustained pattern in attacks against Christians in India was observed, says an ecumenical group’s report

An ecumenical group that monitors religious freedom violations in India has observed a sustained and systematic pattern of attacks against Christian communities across the country.

In a report titled “Systematic Targeting of Christians in India”, the Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFIRLC) documented 334 incidents of violence and harassment targeting Christians in 22 states between January and July 2025.

According to the nine-page report, the persecution has shown alarming consistency, with incidents occurring month after month and impacting Christian communities across regions.

Among the most shocking incidents cited were: Pastors severely beaten with wooden batons while in Durg Jail, Chhattisgarh, two Catholic nuns arrested for assisting tribal women in finding employment, 13 cases of burial denial, 29 worship services disrupted, most during Sunday gatherings and 107 cases of threats and harassment.

“This represents a sustained pattern of violations requiring urgent intervention from authorities to restore constitutional protections for all religious minorities,” the report stated.

The states of Uttar Pradesh (95 incidents) and Chhattisgarh (86 incidents) accounted for more than half of all reported cases, emerging as the most dangerous regions for Christians. Victims not only face physical violence, but also prolonged legal harassment—often under anti-conversion laws that are frequently misused to target minority communities.

According to the report, most acts of violence are perpetrated by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliated groups, including Bajrang Dal, a self-styled vigilante group advocating Hindu dominance in Indian society.

Commenting on the growing trend, Apoorvanand, a professor at Delhi University and columnist, wrote in Frontline (August 4, 2025):

“The long-term goal is not just to oppose conversion. It is to erase the Christian imprint in India, criminalize Christian activities, whether religious or secular, and make Christians a frightened minority, subservient to Hindus.”

The EFIRLC represents India’s evangelical community through the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), which was founded in 1951 and includes over 54 Protestant denominations and more than 65,000 churches nationwide. EFI is also a charter member of the World Evangelical Alliance, giving it both national and global platforms for religious freedom advocacy.

Since 1998, the Religious Liberty Commission has been documenting patterns of religious persecution. It began publishing annual reports in 2009, and provides both legal and practical support to victims of religious violence.