Indian Christians Face Rising Persecution, Look to America for Help

Attacks on churches, pastors jailed, and parishioners afraid to worship publicly as Hindu nationalism grows in India

Jan. 31, 2026 at 3:55am

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Indian Christians are facing increasing persecution, with reports of pastors being jailed, parishioners afraid to worship in public, and attacks on churches. The situation is particularly dire in northern India, a stronghold of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ties to the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) group. Christians in the country have appealed to the U.S. government for help, citing controversial conversion laws and related mob violence targeting their community.

Why it matters

The rise in persecution of Christians in India is part of a broader trend of growing intolerance towards religious minorities under the BJP government. This has implications for religious freedom, human rights, and India's democratic institutions. The U.S. has historically been a defender of global religious freedom, and India's Christian community is looking to America for support in the face of escalating hostility.

The details

Indian Christians like Amit and Deepak have recounted stories of pastors being jailed, parishioners afraid to worship openly, and attacks on churches by Hindu nationalist groups. Statistics show a rise in violence, with 734 attacks on Christians documented in 2023, increasing to 834 in 2024. Much of the organized opposition is concentrated in BJP-ruled northern India, linked to the RSS. Christian groups like Compassion International and the Missionaries of Charity have also faced government pressure and restrictions. Controversial 'anti-conversion' laws have led to the jailing of numerous Christians accused of coercing people to change their faith.

  • In 2023, there were 734 documented attacks on Christians in India.
  • In 2024, the number of attacks increased to 834.
  • In late 2025, there was a wave of attacks on Christmas celebrations linked to Hindu nationalist groups.
  • In December 2025, the Allahabad High Court ruled that merely preaching Christianity and distributing Bibles does not violate forced conversion laws in Uttar Pradesh.

The players

Amit

A Christian who has worked in the state of Uttarakhand and recounted stories of persecution faced by the community.

Deepak

A Christian based in Delhi who described the "intimidation and harassment" faced by Christians, including attacks on gatherings and "mob violence".

Narendra Modi

The Prime Minister of India and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has ruled India since 2014.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

A Hindu nationalist group associated with the BJP that is believed to be behind much of the organized opposition and violence against Christians in India.

Nigel Barrett

Of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, who stated that the persecution of Christians is not confined to northern India.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of intimidation and harassment going on.”

— Deepak, Christian in northern India

“Christians are actually afraid to celebrate Christmas openly now.”

— Deepak, Christian in northern India

“It is disturbing to see limited official condemnation from the political authorities.”

— Nigel Barrett, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India

What’s next

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has called on the U.S. government to "issue targeted sanctions against Indian government officials and entities who participate in or tolerate egregious religious persecution of Christians, Muslims, and others." This recommendation is expected to be considered by the Biden administration in the coming months.

The takeaway

The escalating persecution of Christians in India, fueled by Hindu nationalist groups, is a troubling trend that threatens religious freedom and human rights in the world's largest democracy. As India's Christian community appeals to the U.S. for help, this issue has become a growing point of tension in India-U.S. relations, with implications for global religious freedom and India's democratic trajectory.