As many as 187 cases of hate crimes against Christians in India in the first quarter of this year (January to March) are recorded, according to data gathered by Persecution Relief.

Persecution Relief, an ecumenical Christian group, released its much-awaited ‘1st Quarter Report – 2020 of Hate Crimes against Christians in India’ on April 26.

From January 2016 to March 2020, 1961 cases of hate crimes against Christians have been recorded across India.

“Amid coronavirus challenges and situation, the attacks on Christians have not stopped, but it has been reduced to a certain extent, said Shibu Thomas, founder, Persecution Relief.

Indian Christians, a religious minority, amount to 2.3% of the country’s total population. However, they have never faced a situation as hostile as the current one since independence.

Between 1st quarter of 2016 to 1st quarter of 2020, there has been a rise of 128.04% of hate crimes against Christians all across the country. In the 1st quarter of 2016, Persecution Relief recorded 82 cases, in 2017 – 134, 2018 – 117, 2019 – 130, and in 2020, it recorded 187 cases of Christian persecution.

Persecution Relief is an organization that creates a global awareness about Christian persecution in India by reporting authentic information and advocating on behalf of the persecuted Christians by providing them with comprehensive support.

Its reports are trusted and utilized by various Governments and organizations across the globe.

“Our reports are logical and all-inclusive about the atrocities faced by the Christians in India,” said Thomas.

Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India with roughly 200 million inhabitants and the most populous state, continues to be on top with 47 cases followed by Tamil Nadu 20 and Karnataka with 16 cases.