Home News Christian persecution in India soars: 745 incidents reported in 2024

Christian persecution in India soars: 745 incidents reported in 2024

Violence against Christians in India has reached unprecedented levels in 2024, with 745 incidents reported by the United Christian Forum (UCF) through its helpline by the end of November 2024. 

This marks a nearly six-fold increase over the 127 incidents recorded in 2014 and underscores a worrying escalation in attacks on the Christian community across the country.

The UCF noted, “The seven hundred and forty-five (745) incidents of violence against Christians in India this year till November were reported on UCF Helpline Number. This means many other incidents which may have happened, but were not reported on our hotline, are not included in the total number.”



Excluding violence in Manipur—where over 200 churches were demolished during the sectarian conflict in 2023—the data paints a grim picture of increasing hostility.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of incidents at 182, followed by Chhattisgarh with 139, according to UCF. 

Incidents were documented in 23 of India’s 28 states, revealing the widespread nature of the problem. The organisation believes that the figures significantly underrepresent the true scale of violence due to underreporting.

The UCF also pointed to systemic issues, including allegations of law enforcement bias. A report by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) cited police complicity in crimes against Christians, further eroding trust in the justice system. 

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Additionally, the prolonged absence of Christian representation in national minority commissions and state bodies remains a concern.

India currently ranks 11th on the Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. 

The UCF highlighted a stark contrast between the Indian government’s tepid response to violence against Christians and its rapid intervention in similar cases involving minorities in neighboring Bangladesh.

The UCF has called for urgent action, including a national-level inquiry and the revival of a pending Supreme Court petition filed in 2022 seeking stricter action against vigilante groups. The plea, however, has yet to receive further hearings.

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