Over 400 senior Christian leaders and 30 church groups have jointly appealed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the growing violence and hostility faced by Christians in India. The plea, released on December 31, highlighted at least 14 incidents of targeted attacks, threats, and disruptions during the Christmas season alone. With over 720 recorded incidents of violence against Christians by mid-December 2024, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India, the leaders called for urgent intervention to curb the escalating intolerance and uphold constitutional protections for religious freedom.

The appeal raised pressing issues such as the misuse of anti-conversion laws, denial of Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians, and rising hate speech against minorities. The ongoing crisis in Manipur was also underscored, where violence since May 2023 has claimed over 250 lives, destroyed 360 churches, and displaced thousands. The leaders emphasized that these incidents not only undermine constitutional guarantees but also threaten India’s social fabric. They urged the government to conduct impartial investigations, implement guidelines for state governments to protect minorities, and initiate dialogues with faith leaders to foster harmony.

Christian leaders also called on Prime Minister Modi to take a visible, active role in promoting peace and reconciliation, particularly in Manipur. They stressed the need for concrete actions to protect the fundamental right to practice and profess one’s faith freely. The leaders’ appeal reflects broader concerns over growing religious intolerance in India and demands decisive measures to ensure safety, equality, and justice for all communities.