Page 2 - Persecution Trends Report 2025

PERSECUTION
TRENDS 2025
SOUTH ASIA
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
INDIA
SRI
LANKA
INDIA
India saw growing persecution of
Christians in 2024 which, said our
partners, was expected to continue.
One partner said that believers were
about to enter 2025 with ‘fear and
anxiety’ although at the same time
added, ‘but we trust the Lord’.
During the past 12 months Christians
witnessed the physical and emotional
abuse and harassment of pastors and
other believers, including women
and children, across the country but
particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and
Karnataka states.
Persecution also manifested itself in
the destruction of church buildings,
notably in Manipur, Rajasthan,
Telangana and Uttar Pradesh; false
imprisonment, especially in Uttar
Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh; and
the filing of false police cases and
prohibition of home prayer meetings
nationwide.
Our partner believes that the increase
in persecution has been fuelled by
key factors: retaliation by Hindu
extremists against losses for the ruling
BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in May’s
Election losses for the BJP has been cited as one of the factors fuelling increased Christian persecution
general election; the growing political
power of the Prime Minister, Narendra
Modi, and a lack of understanding
internationally of Hindutva (an
ideology that seeks to make Hinduism
dominant in India), showing itself in
continued foreign support for Modi.
Another partner pointed to the impact
of the expansion of anti-conversion
laws across India.
‘Nationwide it is estimated that 3,000
Christian leaders and pastors are held
in various jails under these charges,’
it said. ‘The persecution is steadily
increasing and becoming more severe,
largely due to the policies of the current
Government.’ In one region, it said,
church leaders were ‘constantly in fear’.
‘Already restrictions
are increasing’
According to partners, the expected
rise in persecution in 2025 is likely
to include the confiscation of Bibles;
the continued rape and killing of
Christian women and children; the
ongoing prohibition of home meetings
of Christians – not just worship
services, but prayer meetings, and
even house warmings and birthday
parties; and the continued use of
government-sponsored hotlines
to inform on Christian neighbours.
Christians’ homes and villages may
face destruction with many forced to
flee.
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