The Lodestar

Persecution of Christians in India has become a pressing issue. It rose, particularly in the years following the 2014 change in government. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, persecution against Christians has been fierce. Initially, states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh were the prime locations. But Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also started to report many cases. Thus, examining the socio-political forces behind the rise of persecution and the strategies used to address it is crucial.

Christianity in India is not a Western Import

Persecution stems from the belief that Christianity is a foreign religion in India. Many consider Christian missions in India an angrez/firangi (foreign) entity. However, Christianity has its roots in the first century AD. Its deep historical roots in South Asia predate its spread in much of Europe. Some of India’s oldest Christian communities trace their origins to St. Thomas. He arrived in Kerala, in southwest India, around AD 52.

Political Influence on Persecution

Since 2014, attacks on Christians in India have soared. In 2014, there were about 150 attacks. By 2024, the number had increased to over 834 (stats by United Christian Forum). That means about 2 cases happen every day.

This rise in violence matches the growth of right-wing leaders. These leaders represent majoritarian religious nationalism. Sadly, these leaders often have unemployed and less-educated, brainwashed youths as grassroots workers. These kinds of people frequently do violence in the name of protecting their religion. This includes attacks on Christian gatherings and vandalism of churches. With state support, they have passed anti-conversion laws in many states. Yet, the cases filed under these laws are often based on false claims of force or allurement. Because of these changes, religious freedom, India’s secular values, and the rights of minorities are under serious threat.

Christian Mission and Persecution

Christian persecution in India is often driven by resistance to missionary work. It is rooted in fears about Christian influence among the marginalised and poor. The term “missionary” has come to carry connotations of shame, negativity, and foreignness. This led to accusations that Christians promote Western ideologies. Believers are frequently ridiculed as “Ricebags,” a slur suggesting their charitable acts are merely tools for conversion. Yet, this overlooks a crucial truth: countless oppressed people turned to Christianity not out of coercion but because Christianity offered dignity, equality, and hope. Christian missions have tangibly improved lives through education, healthcare, and social reform.

Christian Response to Persecution

In the face of growing persecution, Christians in India respond with prayer, peace, and faithful endurance, mirroring the practices of the early church. Yet today’s complex context makes such a witness difficult. Disrupted democracy and targeted attacks raise a dilemma: endure passively or resist justly. The challenge is to blend both.

Christian persecution in India reflects deep-rooted political agendas and social resistance. Despite the hostility, Christians continue to serve through education, care, and witness. Still, balancing endurance with just resistance is challenging as a response to persecution.

(Elisha Nicholas Bharti is pursuing a Master of Theology in Old Testament at the Senate of Serampore College. He has also served as a lecturer at the Kairos Center for Theology and Leadership, Lucknow.)