As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his upcoming trip to the United States, concerns are mounting over a rising tide of anti-Christian hate crimes within India, a country that has recently claimed the title of the world’s most populous nation.
Surge in Hate Crimes
International Christian Concern (ICC) has voiced serious worries regarding Modi’s association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), noting a troubling study from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate.
The study revealed that incidents of hate speech in India surged by an alarming 74 percent over the past year.
This distressing data highlights that Christians, although making up just 2.3 percent of the nation’s population, account for approximately 10 percent of all hate crime victims.
Moreover, the study found that most other victims belong to the Muslim community.
What’s particularly concerning is that around 80 percent of the recorded hate incidents took place in states controlled by Modi’s BJP.
This statistic raises critical questions about the party’s impact on the safety of religious minorities, including both Christians and Muslims, who are often targeted despite their peaceful natures.
Anti-Conversion Laws
Additionally, the ICC has criticized the anti-conversion laws affecting 12 of India’s 28 states—a situation that many attribute to the BJP’s influence.
The vague language of these laws sparks fears that they might criminalize any religious expression not condoned by the state.
For example, in Uttar Pradesh, legislation against conversion implies that individuals could face repercussions simply for discussing religious beliefs, like the promise of salvation linked to faith in Jesus, under pretexts such as deception or undue influence.
The ICC has also pointed out that these laws could create a protective environment for vigilante groups.
Reports from local clergy indicate that Hindu mobs have been known to attack churches and worship events, claiming that activities like singing hymns could provoke unlawful conversions.
Religious Intolerance
Luke Wilson, a researcher with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), remarked that the application of these anti-conversion laws seems more intent on blocking conversions to faiths like Christianity and Islam than on preventing genuine coercive practices.
As the Prime Minister meets with world leaders, these issues of religious intolerance and the safety of minorities within India will loom large, reflecting a complex narrative that challenges the country’s commitment to religious freedom.
Source: Christian Today
