334 verified cases of targeted attacks against Christians in India between Jan–July 2025: Report
New Delhi: Between January and July 2025, 334 verified incidents of targeted violence against Christians were reported across 22 states and union territories, according to a new report by the Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFIRLC). The group has flagged a consistent pattern of attacks, with Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh alone accounting for over half of the documented cases.
Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 95 incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh with 86. EFIRLC noted that these two BJP-ruled states have emerged as the main hotspots for anti-Christian violence, where victims not only face immediate physical attacks but also prolonged legal harassment under anti-conversion laws. The report points to the widespread misuse of these laws, with two-thirds of all cases involving threats, false accusations, or legal intimidation.
Among the most serious incidents is the arrest of two Catholic nuns, Vanada Francis and Preeta Mary, in Chhattisgarh. They were allegedly attacked by Bajrang Dal members for ‘forcible conversion’ and subsequently jailed. They were granted bail only recently by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court.
The report documents 13 cases involving the denial of burial rights, 92% of which occurred in Chhattisgarh. It states that Christian families were blocked from performing last rites even on private property. Most attacks were timed to coincide with Sunday worship services, which EFIRLC sees as evidence of systematic monitoring and disruption of religious gatherings.
In one case from Bhilai, six pastors were detained and allegedly beaten with wooden batons inside Durg jail for simply identifying themselves as pastors during a routine inquiry. Despite medical evidence of custodial torture, the pastors still face charges while no action has been taken against jail staff.
Other states with notable numbers include Madhya Pradesh (22 cases), Bihar (17), Karnataka (17), Rajasthan (15), and Haryana (15).
EFIRLC said the 334 incidents likely reflect only a fraction of the total attacks, citing underreporting due to fear of reprisal, intimidation by local authorities, and lack of access to documentation. It warned of a “coordinated effort to suppress Christian religious expression” through both legal means and social pressure.
The Commission collects data via direct victim reports, partner networks, media monitoring, and official sources, verifying each case through police records, medical documents, witness statements, and photographic evidence.
In January, the United Christian Forum had recorded 834 attacks on Christians in 2024, 100 more than in 2023. In March 2025, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom designated India as a “Country of Particular Concern” for attacks on religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s contradictory strategies have drawn attention, with its state units in north and central India pushing aggressive anti-conversion campaigns, while party leaders in Kerala attempt to court the Christian vote ahead of the upcoming state elections. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrashekhar recently met with the two jailed nuns after their release, a move widely viewed as political outreach.
The destruction of over 300 churches during the 2023 Manipur violence also continues to draw criticism, casting a long shadow over the party's attempts to gain ground among Christian voters in southern states.
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Separate nodal officer in all districts to prevent female foeticides in Karnataka: Minister
Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.
The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".
He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.
"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.
"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.
In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.
"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."
Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.
Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.
"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.
We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."
The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.
