Anti-conversion or anti-Christian

Attacks on religious minorities in India, especially Christians, remain a serious concern. Despite repeated assurances from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) that all citizens are safe and equal, many incidents on the ground tell a different story. These assurances often sound impressive in public speeches, but they lose meaning when violence, intimidation, and harassment continue without firm action. When mobs attack churches, disrupt prayers, threaten pastors, or accuse poor villagers of forced conversion without evidence, the silence or weak response of those in power sends a troubling message. It is important to be clear that this is not a conflict between Hindus and Christians. India has a long and proud history of peaceful relations between different faiths. Most Hindus do not support violence against Christians or any other minority. The real issue is the rise of Hindutva politics, a modern Hindu nationalist ideology that tries to define Indian identity mainly in Hindu terms. This ideology is different from Hinduism as a religion. Hinduism is a broad and diverse faith; Hindutva is a political project.Groups linked to the wider Sangh Parivar, including the RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal, have often claimed that they are protecting Hindu society from religious conversion. In practice, however, such claims have sometimes been used to target vulnerable Christian communities, especially Dalit, Adivasi, rural, evangelical, and Pentecostal Christians. These communities are often poor, socially weak, and unable to defend themselves against organized pressure.Human Rights Watch reported that attacks on Christians increased after the BJP first came to power nationally in 1998. One major example was the violence in the Dangs district of Gujarat between December 1998 and January 1999. Churches and Christian property were attacked, and allegations of forced conversion were used to inflame public anger. The same pattern has been seen again and again: propaganda about conversion, mob mobilization, destruction of property, forced “homecoming” rituals, police inaction, and little punishment for offenders.Supporters of anti-conversion laws argue that such laws protect vulnerable people from fraud or force. In principle, no one should be converted through pressure, money, or deception. But in practice, these laws are often used against Christians themselves. Prayer meetings are stopped, pastors are arrested, and ordinary acts of faith are treated with suspicion. Instead of protecting freedom of religion, these laws can become tools of harassment.Official crime data does not always show a dramatic rise in attacks. This is because many victims do not report incidents because they fear the police, local pressure, social boycott, or further violence. Independent reports by activists, church groups, and civil society organizations suggest that intimidation and legal harassment have increased, especially in BJP-ruled states.Law and order may be a state subject, but the central government cannot escape moral responsibility. If ruling party leaders strongly condemn hate, demand fair policing, and punish those who incite violence, the atmosphere can change. However, extremist groups have never been adequately brought to justice and to they believe they will face no consequences and hence justify the attacks. India’s strength lies in its pluralism. A nation cannot claim greatness while its minorities live in fear. Protecting Christians and other religious minorities is not a favour; it is a constitutional duty. The government must prove, through action and not mere words, that every Indian has the right to worship freely and live with dignity.