A nationwide citizens’ tribunal held in New Delhi has heard testimonies of violence, social boycott, and discrimination faced by Christians in different parts of India. The People’s Tribunal on Violence Against Christians in India was convened on June 1 at the Constitution Club by Karwan-e-Mohabbat and a group of concerned citizens.
The tribunal followed field visits to Chhattisgarh and Odisha, where members met many affected families. Survivors, lawyers, researchers, and human rights defenders shared accounts of increasing hostility, especially against Adivasi and Dalit Christians.
Evidence presented included attacks on churches and prayer meetings, intimidation of pastors and worshippers, forced displacement from villages, denial of burial rights, and economic boycotts. Testimonies also described arrests under anti-conversion laws and a growing atmosphere of fear.
Several speakers expressed concern over what they called institutional failure. They pointed to the low number of police complaints registered despite numerous reported incidents and alleged delays in investigations. Some survivors said that police filed cases against victims or pressured communities into compromise agreements.
Participants also highlighted the denial of burial rights, describing incidents where funeral processions were obstructed and Christian families were prevented from burying their loved ones according to their faith traditions.
The tribunal concluded that these incidents should not be seen as isolated events but as part of a broader pattern that threatens constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and equal citizenship. It called on citizens, institutions, and governments to take urgent steps to protect the rights and dignity of religious minorities in India.
