By INFOVATICANA
The pressure against Christians in India continues to increase. Four Catholics were arrested in the locality of Kalinjara, in the Banswara district, belonging to the diocese of Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, under accusations of “forced conversions”, according to local ecclesiastical authorities.
The incident occurred during a Catholic meeting attended by around 70 faithful. A group of activists linked to the Hindutva movement burst into the gathering accusing those present of conversion activities and illegal cow slaughter, triggering disturbances that ended with police intervention and the arrest of four Catholics.
“Being a Christian today poses great challenges”
In an interview granted to Crux, the bishop of Udaipur, Monsignor Devprasad Ganawa, strongly condemned what happened and denounced the climate of constant surveillance that Christians in the country suffer.
“A religious act was being peacefully celebrated, attended only by Catholic faithful. Today, being a Christian presents great challenges and many times we feel that we are under constant surveillance,” the prelate stated.
Ganawa also recalled that the Church continues to develop its educational, healthcare, and welfare work “without discrimination of castes or creeds”, insisting that Catholics remain committed to serving the entire Indian nation.
Reports of persecution against Christians are increasing
The arrests occur in a context marked by the tightening of anti-conversion laws in various states of India and by the increase in pressure from Hindu nationalist groups against Christian communities.
India has been governed since 2014 by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a formation closely linked to the Hindu nationalist movement Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Various affiliated organizations have promoted campaigns against alleged illegal conversions, routinely accusing Christians of using coercive or deceptive methods to evangelize, accusations that the Church systematically rejects.
The emeritus archbishop of Guwahati, Thomas Menamparampil, denounced that violence against Christians is becoming normalized with the connivance of the authorities.
“Our national leaders condone these episodes of violence,” he assured.
According to data from the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), 747 verified incidents of hostility against Christians were recorded in 2025, compared to the 640 cases documented in 2024, reflecting a sustained increase in persecution.
This story was originally published in infovaticana.com. Read the full story here.