The persecution of Christians in India is as old as Christianity itself. St Thomas, a disciple of Christ, who came to India, was martyred in about AD 52 in South India. Even in the Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic of India, Christians became a political target in 1998 when India had its first coalition government led by the Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party which promotes Hindu cultural nationalism.

A report released on December 2009 by respected American think tank Pew Research Centre has placed India second only to Iraq in social hostility and religious bias perpetrated by individuals and groups.

The first large-scale ruthless attack against Tribal Christians in Dangs district of Gujarat in December 1998. In March 2004, Tribal Christians in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh became the target of the second massive anti-Christian attacks. A series of brutal anti-Christian attacks began in Orissa's Kandhamal district began on 24th December 2007. In May 2008, the BJP installed its first government in Karnataka and ever since Christian community is the target of their attacks.

CHRISTIANS RESPONSE to these attacks has been one of forgiveness and appeal to the government to protect the life and property of its citizens and punish the guilty according to the law of the land.

LIST OF 152 INCIDENTS OF ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE IN 2009
(Click to download the PDF File)

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
General Secretary
Evangelical Fellowship of India
New Delhi, India