Christian Persecution is on the Rise in Modi’s India

For more information, please contact AAF Policy Director John Shelton at jshelton@advancingamericanfreedom.com

Christian Persecution is on the Rise in Modi’s India

Topline: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government continues to systematically persecute religious minorities through anti-conversion laws and shield violent vigilantes from justice throughout India.

India’s laws criminalize converting from one religion to another. • Individual converts can be imprisoned for up to 5 years and fined 15,000 rupees,

with mass conversions carrying a maximum fine of 10 years and 50,000 rupees.

Last year, half of India attempted to create or strengthen anti-conversion laws:

• These laws use broad and vague language to criminalize voluntary conversions and target religious minorities including Christians. • Eight villages passed resolutions requiring Christians to denounce their faith or

leave in December 2024.

India Continues to Turn a Blind Eye toward Violence Against Religious Minorities:

• One politician offered up to $1.1M rupees for violent attacks on Christian leaders. • Police did not intervene as a Hindu mob attacked 18 Christian families in

Chhattisgarh in August 2024.

Conclusion: The United States must condition any trade deal with India on repealing anti-conversion laws and respecting religious minorities. In Congress, the appropriate committees should conduct corresponding investigations, ensuring that any foreign aid to India is conditioned in keeping with the International Religious Freedom Act.

Confirmed Cases of Anti-Christian

Violence and Intimidation in India

Anti-Christian violence

and persecution quadrupled over the last decade in India, and 2025

is on track to set a dark new record for persecution

Source: RLCEFI, Yearly Report 2024. *Projected from January-July 2025 Report

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