Eight village councils in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, India, have issued resolutions banning Christians from their villages, forcing them to renounce their faith or leave under threats of property confiscation and violence. The move affects around 100 Christians, with at least 40 already displaced, according to reports.
Local leaders have declared their authority overrides India’s Constitution, which—in theory—guarantees religious freedom under Article 25. On November 18, Christians filed a complaint at Gadiras Police Station, presenting audio evidence of threats by the village chief of Michwar. Police, however, refused to formally register the case and instead accompanied complainants to their fields, where they encountered a mob of 1,500 people looting crops and demanding the Christians renounce their faith. The officers withdrew without intervening.
On November 19, local Christian leaders appealed to district authorities, who delayed formal action until November 21, again leaving villagers vulnerable. Many were forced to seek refuge in a church building while their homes and livelihoods were destroyed.
This violence reflects a broader pattern of persecution in Chhattisgarh, which recorded 139 incidents of anti-Christian hate crimes this year. In a related attack on October 30 in Dantewada district, a mob assaulted 14 Christians harvesting communal crops, leaving several with severe injuries while police reportedly stood by.
Many Christians believe Hindu supremacists among the higher authorities tacitly support such attacks. Father Thomas Vadakumkara decried the systemic denial of Christians’ fundamental rights, citing restrictions on property, burial practices, and basic livelihoods.
India is among the first nations Christ’s apostles preached to following the Resurrection, and St. Thomas—sometimes referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas’—founded the country’s first churches.
Indian government backed Hindu supremacists vandalize a Christian church in Chhattisgarh.
There have been dozens of similar attacks committed against Christians during the past month, forcing many to flee their homes and villages. pic.twitter.com/ofMUbyMNIF
— CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) January 3, 2023