Chhattisgarh Christian Forum presents charter of demands to political parties before election.

Christian leaders in India’s poll-bound Chhattisgarh State have presented a charter of demands to major political parties seeking to end discrimination and violence. The charter prepared by leaders of the ecumenical Chhattisgarh Christian Forum expressed concerns over the security of the miniscule Christian community in the central state, now ruled by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

It also calls on the next government to ensure freedom to practice religion.

“We have already handed over the charter to all major political parties,” Arun Pannalal, president of the forum, told ucanews.com on Nov. 7.

The state of 25 million people, where Christians make up barely 2 percent of the population, is scheduled to elect its 90-seat legislative house in two phases on Nov. 12 and Nov. 20.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, which has ruled the state for 15 years, is aiming to prevent the Indian National Congress party, its archrival, from gaining power. The smaller Bahujan Samaj Party and Aam Aadmi Party are also in the fray.