Indian Christians at Jantar Matar against fundamentalist violence

Peaceful demonstration in a symbolic place in the capital to draw attention to the increase in hostile acts by Hindu nationalists. In 2022 alone, 598 incidents were recorded, almost two a day. A memorandum was sent to President Murmu with a request to set up a National Commission to deal with the phenomenon.

New Delhi (AsiaNews) - Representatives of more than 100 Churches and Christian organisations staged a peaceful protest on Sunday 19 February at Jantar Matar in Delhi - the site of demonstrations in the capital - to draw the attention of the government, the Supreme Court and civil society to the sharp increase in hostility, hatred and violence against Christians in many states. Particular concern was expressed over the situation in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Jharkhand.

According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), in 2022 alone, 598 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded in 21 different Indian states, almost two per day. These incidents include intimidation, mob assaults, brutal assaults, vandalism of places of worship, sexual violence, church closures, social ostracisation, denial of burial for the dead, and false complaints under anti-conversion laws.

The United Christian Forum recalled that Christian citizens, in the more than seventy years of India's independence, have organised united protests in the national capital no more than five times. It was therefore the sharp increase in hatred and targeted violence against the community that prompted them to organise this demonstration.

Many community members tied black ribbons around their arms during the protest to denounce the hatred and violence targeted against Christians. "As per our Constitution, we have the freedom to exercise our faith. I don't know why we are being attacked. The government does not do enough against this violence, it is sad that they do not support us," said Fr Arul Anthony.

United Christian Forum President Michael William announced the submission of a memorandum on violence against Christians to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. The document calls for the establishment of a National Commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to address the issues of 'targeted violence' against Christians.