Tamil Nadu State in southern India recorded the highest incidents of anti- Christian violence during 2017, according to a study by the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).
The national alliance of evangelical Christians on February 16 released its annual report on hate crimes against Christians in India for 2017.
The fellowship’s Religious Liberty Commission documented at least 351 cases of violence last year, which it says is not exhaustive. “Most cases go unreported either because the victim is terrified or the police, especially in the northern states, just turn a blind eye and refuse to record the mandatory First Information Report,” the report regrets.
The fellowship has urged the Indian government to uphold the rule of law and to punish those engaged in spreading hatred against religious minorities in the country.
EFI says although violence was “evenly spread across the months of the year,” it peaked during Lent and Christmas that draws larger participation of people. April, the month lent, saw 54 cases and December, the Christmas month, 40.
According to the report, 2017 was among the most trauma- tic periods for Christians in India since the mass targeted violence in the Kandhamal district of Odisha in 2007 and 2008.
“The confidence of the community in the government needs to be restored,” the report asserts.
Among the Indian states, Tamil Nadu recorded 52 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh in northern India with 50. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh States in central India recorded 43 and 36 cases.
