Hundreds of Christian tribe members displaced at Christmas (PHOTO)
Kelkheim (ots) – Scenes from December 18 recall the bloody attacks against Christians in August 2008 in Kandhamal, Odisha (then Orissa), which is considered one of the worst waves of persecution against Christians in India. In Chhattisgarh state, more than 1,000 Christians were forcibly evicted from their homes just before Christmas. They belong to the Adivasi (indigenous tribes) and have converted to the Christian faith; this was apparently the main reason for the attacks. On January 2, violence erupted again.
False Allegations and Rising Violence on December 18
In Chhattisgarh – which, like 10 other states, has introduced anti-conversion laws – converts to Christianity are consistently coerced into “reverting” to Hinduism. Under anti-conversion laws, almost any activity by religious minorities can be interpreted as an unfair attempt at forced conversion – even public prayers or charitable giving. This one-sided portrayal has greatly fueled the stigmatization of Christians. In Chhattisgarh, the consequences were months of social boycotts and the exclusion of many Christians from the village community, often combined with violence and vandalism. On December 18, the situation escalated into an organized attack. Christians from more than 15 villages in Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts were attacked and displaced, many of their homes and churches were destroyed. In cold weather, they sometimes had to be out in the open air for days. Others were housed in buildings but had no food, water, clothes or blankets. Families have nothing left, their situation is critical. Open Doors local partners helped around the clock with the essentials. Christians, along with leaders of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, are protesting in front of the mayor’s office because of the inaction of law enforcement agencies, also because the authorities have not accepted criminal charges.
Escalation again on January 2: “Attacks planned in advance”
The region’s Christians’ hopes for a peaceful New Year were dashed by renewed attacks on 2 January. Angry Hindus went door to door, again damaging churches, Christian institutions and homes. They threatened the Christians and asked them to leave their homes and village. The police officers who had been called were also attacked.
Roshan Paul (pseudonym), an Open Doors partner, reported: “It was not a spontaneous mob but armed gangs who planned these attacks in advance. Many of them carried swords and stones. Christians in Chhattisgarh are accused of joining a foreign order religion and endangering the traditional way of life of the tribesmen”. Paul adds: “The authorities did nothing to resolve the problem or to ensure the safety of the faithful. Anti-Christian groups did not stop rallies and meetings, although they openly mobilized and incited local populations against the faithful and pastors.” It was known that preparations for further attacks were under way; however, no action was taken. “Instead, they are closing community shelters and forcing people back to their villages in the face of violence,” continued Paul.
Since Narendra Modi took office in 2014, persecution of Christians has increased significantly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist BJP have consistently pursued repression of religious minorities. This happens, for example, through anti-conversion laws and the fact that attacks on Christians and their homes and churches often go unpunished. On the World Persecution Index, India is among the top 10 most dangerous countries for Christians to profess and live their faith.
Open Doors is calling on the federal government to demand the protection of oppressed and persecuted Christians in the country as part of the Indian government’s commitment to human rights. On January 18, the Christian relief organization published the 2023 World Persecution Index on the situation of persecuted Christians around the world.
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