By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, June 13, 2022: The United Christian Forum (UCF), an ecumenical group, has demanded urgent judicial and government intervention to check what it says is the rapid rise in incidents of violence, coercion and false arrests that traumatize the community.
The persecution is most acute in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka; the UCF said June 13, citing data collected from its National Helpline Number 1800-208-4545 and human rights groups.
Although 2022 is not even halfway over, the helpline has received 207 cases of violence. Just in May, it recorded 57 cases. In 2021, the forum documented 505 cases, with Christmas seeing 16 acts of violence, including desecration and breaking of statues of Jesus Christ at a historic church in Haryana.
“This data flies in the face of statements by government functionaries and leaders of the ruling parties at the center and in the states that there is no persecution, and that there are only a few stray incidents by fringe elements,” the forum’s national president Michael Williams said.
“It is ironic that the culprits, many of whom film their acts of vandalism and physical violence on unarmed women and men, seem to defy the law; peaceful pastors and others are arrested on charges of “conversion” during routine prayer services,” laments A C Michael, UCF national coordinator.
In all such cases, the police is either a mute spectator, or an active participant in the persecution. Despite our appeals to senior officials and administrators, the police have failed to follow protocol, rules, and investigations, adds Michael, a former member of the Minority Commission of Delhi.
More than one incident has taken place each day so far in 2022. There were 40 incidents in January, 35 in February, 33 in March, 40 in April and nearly double in May with 57 incidents in 31 days with almost 2 incidents a day. There were 48 incidents in Uttar Pradesh, 44 in Chhattisgarh, 23 in Jharkhand and 14 in Madhya Pradesh. As the new anti-conversion ordinance is implemented in Karnataka, 6 cases were reported from the state.
Other than physical assaults, incidents include brutality against women, vandalism, forcible closure of churches, disruption of Sunday prayers and social ostracization which is most visible in small towns and villages, the statement adds.
The press note cited two cases from Chhattisgarh and one from Uttar Pradesh to illustrate the persecution of Christians in India
On May 2 in Bastar district, a 65-year-old Christian woman and her son were threatened with a social boycott by the panchayat if they professed the Christian faith. The two maintained they were Christians and would remain so. At this, they were attacked and severely injured. The woman sustained multiple injuries, including a wound on the head, and had to be hospitalized. A complaint has been filed before the Superintendent of Police and the District Collector.
On May 31, in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a pastor was conducting a prayer service when a mob barged in, dragged him out, beat him up, saying he was converting people. The police, rather than acting against the assailants, arrested the pastor, booking him sections dealing with deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings). He remained behind bars until his bail June 3.
UCF toll-free helpline number: 1-800-208-4545 was launched January 19, 2015, with the aim of upholding fundamental freedom and promotion of values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity of India. The helpline helps people in distress, especially those who are not aware of the law of the land and the system by guiding them how to reach out to the public authorities and by providing the way to legal remedies.
It is good to have a toll free number for assistance. We also need introspection. How often have we invited trouble through aggressive evangelisation or criticism of other religions. Discretion is the better part of valour.
If Christians stopped marketing Jesus among non Christians such reported attacks will stop automaticslly
In all the BJP ruled states, the atrocities on Christians and Muslims wil increase day-by-day. No one can stop.
The bitter truth is that Christians are “DIVIDED”. Many Christian groups still vote for BJP. After voting and helping them to come to power, what is the use of crying??
All Christians and Muslims must get united, join with secular parties and make sure that the BJP does not come back to power. This is one of the best solutions.