| Staff REPORTER |
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The United Christian Forum (UCF) has submitted an open letter to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, expressing concern over what it described as a growing pattern of violence and attacks on Christians across the country.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, UCF national coordinator AC Michael cited data from the organisation’s survey and helpline, claiming a significant rise in reported incidents over the past decade. He stated that cases had increased from 127 in 2014 to over 834 in 2024, with several incidents also recorded in Arunachal Pradesh.
Michael alleged that Dalit and Adivasi Christians are among the most affected groups and that institutions involved in education and social service have increasingly become targets. He also pointed out that a large proportion of reported cases are concentrated in a few states, including Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The forum further raised concerns over the alleged misuse of anti-conversion laws in several states. According to the UCF, provisions using terms such as “force,” “fraud,” and “allurement” are often subject to broad interpretation, leading to harassment, arrests, and restrictions on religious practices.
The organization also questioned provisions requiring prior notification for religious conversions, suggesting that such measures may infringe upon constitutional rights, including freedom of religion and privacy.
In its letter, UCF urged the Chief Minister to take up the issue with national authorities, recommending the formation of a judicial review commission to examine anti-conversion laws. It also called for a public statement reaffirming the protection of religious freedoms.