More than 300 faith leaders in the United States have signed an open letter urging the US State Department to designate India as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) due to escalating religious persecution. The signatories, including bishops, clergy, and leaders from various Christian denominations, are sounding the alarm over what they describe as "rapidly escalating state-sanctioned violations of human rights directed at religious minorities" in India.
The letter, announced on 1 August by the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA), marks the first time US Christian leaders have collectively addressed religious persecution in India. Among the signatories is Bishop Joy Alappatt of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago, representing an Eastern Catholic church with origins dating back to St. Thomas the Apostle.
The faith leaders' concerns stem from a sharp increase in violence against religious minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. The United Christian Forum, persecution watchdog organisation based in Delhi, reported 720 attacks against Christians in 2023, a significant rise from 127 in 2014. FIACONA's own documentation shows an even more alarming trend, with 1,570 attacks recorded in 2023, up from 1,198 in 2022.
The letter cites India's ranking as the 11th most dangerous country for Christians on the World Watch List as compiled by Open Doors International, a global advocacy organisation for persecuted Christians. Open Doors reports that "Hindutva radicals," who seek to create a Hindu nationalist state, view all Christian communities as "alien to the nation" and aim to "cleanse their country of Islam and Christianity."
Signatories to the letter include prominent figures such as the immediate past president of the National Council of Churches, leaders from the United Methodist Church, the Orthodox Church in America, and various theological seminaries. The diverse coalition underscores the gravity of the situation, transcending denominational boundaries to address what they perceive as a critical human rights issue.
Reverend Neal Christie, FIACONA's executive director, expressed concern that "persecution of religious minorities is being buried by US adoration of the current Indian regime". The letter calls on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take action under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, which requires the president to review the status of religious freedom globally and flag nations engaging in severe violations.
The faith leaders' appeal comes amid reports of increasing legislative pressure on religious minorities in India. On 30 July, lawmakers in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, passed a bill strengthening punishments for violations of a 2021 anti-conversion law. The International Christian Concern (ICC) warned that this move will "make easy targets of Christian missionary groups."
Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the situation in India. Human Rights Watch reported in 2023 that violence between Hindu BJP supporters and Muslim and Christian communities has become commonplace, especially in BJP-ruled states. Amnesty International has accused government officials, politicians, and BJP supporters of advocating "hatred and violence against religious minorities with impunity."
The letter requests that the US State Department hold the Indian government accountable for advancing equal human rights for all religious communities. It also suggests considering targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom and human rights.
Several Christian denominations have recently passed resolutions condemning the situation in India. In April 2024, the United Methodist Church, with 10 million members, passed a resolution condemning "systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom" in India. Similar resolutions were passed by the Anglican Free Communion International in May and the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ in June.
As the issue gains traction within the US Christian community, many clergy, particularly Indian-American pastors, have expressed a desire to sign the letter but reportedly fear repercussions from the Modi regime.
