Christians fear backlash as polls draw near

With state elections scheduled for later this month and a national election expected next spring, Christians fear the return of pro-Hindu groups, particularly in Chattisgarh and Gujarat, which has witnessed continuous violence on Christians.

In Chhattisgarh, as polls begin on Nov. 14 and 20 to elect its 90-member assembly, Christian leaders fear the successful return of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), mostly accused for its hostile nature towards Christians.

For instance, Orissa that witnessed one of India's largest anti-Christian violence is ruled by a coalition of the Biju Janata Dal and the BJP. The violence since August 23 following the assassination of a Hindu leader, led to the murder of over 60 people and the fleeing of at least 50,000 to forests.

There have also been vehement attacks on Christians in other states ruled by the BJP, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Some of them have anti-conversion laws misused against Christians, charging them with "forceful conversions".

India now has seven states with legislation banning unregistered or unethical religious conversions.

The BJP mostly uses anti-conversion law as a tool to institutionalize the ideology of Hindu nationalism, known as Hindutva, which envisions a "Hindu nation".

Christianity, according to Hindutva, is a "Western religion" brought to India mainly under the British colonial rule. The BJP also claims that missionaries are part of an international conspiracy, mainly from the United States.

Thomas K. Bose, a Christian lawyer, described the BJP attitude to the Church as negative.

Bose noted that Chhattisgarh has recorded some attacks on Christians during the BJP rule, although the party was not directly involved. He said Hindu extremists attacked Missionaries of Charity nuns and assaulted many pastors for preaching and distributing Christian literature.

Father Edmon Bara, public relations officer for Jashpur diocese, says missioners are often blamed for buying tribal land, which has been used to build institutions for tribal people's welfare. More than 200 cases are now pending in courts, which summon missioners often. The situation may become worse if the BJP stays in power, Father Bara told UCA News.