Religious Freedom Under Threat: Are Christians Unsafe in India?

A Tale of Two Responses: Global Intervention vs. Domestic Silence

The recent holiday season brought into sharp focus a stark contrast in international priorities and human rights advocacy. While the United States Africa Command launched significant strikes against the Islamic State in Nigeria's Sokoto state, reminiscent of 19th-century European power projection, a concerning surge of anti-Christian incidents unfolded across India with notably little international outcry. This includes a reported mall attack in Chhattisgarh, an assault on a school in Assam, and the provocative raising of 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans outside a church in Rae Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Adding to these concerns, reports emerged of a Kerala Education Minister's alleged intervention leading to the cancellation of Christmas festivities in schools, underscoring a deepening climate of intolerance.

Historical Parallels and Selective Engagement

Historically, powers like Russia and France championed the protection of Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century, citing alleged oppression. Today, it appears the U.S. has adopted a similar posture, with former President Trump previously accusing Muslims of persecuting Christians in Nigeria. It’s worth noting that the Africa Command's declared targets did not explicitly include Boko Haram, a group responsible for some of the most widely publicized past attacks, including mass kidnappings from boarding schools. Critics argue that while the Trump administration seemingly appealed to its evangelical base through its actions in Nigeria, it largely overlooked the escalating and increasingly targeted attacks on Christians within India.

Many observers suggest that the current BJP government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has shifted its focus. Having been previously criticized regarding its approach to Muslim communities, concerns are now rising about the treatment of other non-Hindu minorities, including Christians, against whom numerous incidents have been reported. From a broader perspective, these incidents are deeply troubling, as a fundamental role of the state is to ensure the protection and security of all its citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliation.

Is India Becoming Unsafe for Religious Minorities?

The increasing frequency and nature of these events raise serious questions about the safety and security of religious minorities. The experience of freely celebrating Christmas, often observed by Christians in neighboring Pakistan, stands in contrast to the growing restrictions and hostility faced by Christians in India. This situation draws parallels to the freedoms enjoyed by Hindus in India during their recent Diwali celebrations, highlighting a perceived double standard where certain religious groups appear to enjoy greater state-sanctioned protection and acceptance than others.

Geopolitical Interests vs. Human Rights

The U.S.'s assertive intervention in Nigerian sovereignty, reportedly secured through behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressure, stands in stark contrast to its relative silence regarding the situation in India. This disparity has led some to suggest a selective approach in U.S. foreign policy, possibly influenced by geopolitical interests. Despite India's protests over U.S. tariffs and the suspicious timing of some internal unrest, the U.S. has largely maintained a lenient stance. Recent high-level defense agreements, for instance, indicate a continued desire for Indian strategic partnership, seemingly at the expense of publicly addressing human rights concerns impacting Christian communities in the country.

The Implications for Religious Harmony and Global Scrutiny

The pattern of incidents suggests a worrying trend of rising intolerance, leading many to ask if religious minorities are becoming increasingly **unsafe in India**. This climate not only threatens India's secular fabric but also poses a challenge to international standards of religious freedom and human rights. For India to uphold its democratic values and maintain its standing on the global stage, it is crucial that the state ensures the safety, dignity, and religious freedom of all its citizens, and that the international community holds all nations accountable for the protection of their minority populations.