The All India Catholic Union (AICU) is appealing to India’s government to urgently address the issue of targeted persecution against Christians.
The AIC, in its New Year statement, called for the government to stop making symbolic gestures and instead implement legal protection for Christians. This appeal comes after the community experienced an increase in incidents over the last few weeks.
The organisation, which represents about 16 million Catholic Christians in about 120 diocesan units across India, says that attacks in states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have increased, with human rights organisations documenting hundreds of incidents in 2025.
The organisation cited data from the United Christians Forum, which recorded 706 incidents of violence and harassment between January and November 2025, with the highest number occurring in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The incidents include assaults, disruptions of worship, vandalism, false accusations of conversions, and arrests by police based on false charges.
In November of last year, persons from India gathered in New Delhi to protest the increase in systematic violence against Christians. The rally included about 2,000 Christians, with Indian speakers highlighting attention to a 500% rise in reported violence against the community since 2014, largely with impunity.
Additionally, it said token gestures by the nation’s leaders, such as attending Christian worship services, without legal reform, are not enough.
“The violence and hate experienced by Christians in India throughout 2025, especially during the Christmas season, represent not only attacks on individuals but also on the pluralistic fabric of Indian society,” the statement said. “Addressing these challenges requires honest acknowledgement, genuine political will, and united grassroots action.”
“As we step into 2026, the AICU, a 106-year-old organisation, is speaking for common Christians in the country and sees this as both a solemn reminder and a hopeful call to action,” said AICU National President Er. Elias Vaz.
The organisation also highlighted restrictions on NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and hate speech, stating that such language and xenophobia from several of India’s political leaders and Sangh Parivar groups have contributed to the violence faced by the nation’s Christians.
The organisation also expressed that “anti-conversion laws in 12 states are often misused to justify harassment, despite little proof of forced conversions.”
The union also urged an end to interference in Christian schools and called for equal rights guaranteed to all citizens.
“Together, through unity, education, and principled advocacy, we can strive to create an India where diversity is celebrated, and every citizen’s rights are protected against hate and discrimination.”
Christians form a small but significant minority in India, with around 2.3% of the population (approximately 28 million) identifying with the community.