New Delhi, December 23, 2025 – In a urgent appeal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the United Christian Forum (UCF) has demanded the immediate cancellation of a proposed "Chhattisgarh Bandh" scheduled for December 24, 2025, which it described as a provocative protest orchestrated by certain groups against the Christian community in the state.
The letter from UCF, dated today, warns that the bandh could exacerbate social tensions, undermine communal harmony, and instill widespread fear among India's minority Christian population, particularly as the country prepares for Christmas celebrations. "Such actions not only violate the constitutional rights to dignity and equality but also deepen existing inequalities," the forum stated, emphasizing the need for swift government intervention to protect vulnerable communities.
The bandh, called by unidentified groups in Chhattisgarh, is framed as a response to alleged "fraudulent conversions" by Christians – a charge that UCF vehemently disputes as a pretext for ongoing persecution. The forum highlighted a sharp rise in anti-Christian violence across India, citing 834 documented incidents in 2024 (an average of 69.5 per month) and 706 cases reported up to November 2025. Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh emerged as the most affected states, with 157 and 184 incidents respectively in the first 11 months of 2025.
UCF's plea comes against the backdrop of escalating attacks on Christians, including disruptions to prayer meetings, arrests during Christmas preparations, and violent disputes over burials in tribal areas. The forum pointed to 23 burial-related conflicts in 2025 alone – 19 of them in Chhattisgarh – compared to 40 such incidents in 2024, where 30 occurred in the state. Notable cases include a failed attempt on December 15 in Kanker district to exhume the body of a deceased Christian, a denial of burial rights in Balod district in November, and an April incident in Odisha's Nabarangpur where a body was exhumed and burned.
The UCF also referenced a recent report by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) alleging police collusion with Hindutva outfits in targeting Christians, alongside the misuse of anti-conversion laws in 12 states. These laws, enacted to curb forced conversions, have been criticized for being weaponized against minorities through vague provisions like Sections 295A and 298 of the Indian Penal Code, often based on third-party complaints.
Recent flare-ups extend beyond Chhattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh, targeted attacks have disrupted Christmas prayer meetings, while in Uttar Pradesh, authorities have demolished structures and filed cases against Christian gatherings. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) echoed these concerns in a separate statement today, expressing "deep anguish" over the surge in hate crimes and appealing to both federal and state governments for enhanced security during the festive season.
UCF's advocacy underscores a broader pattern of vulnerability for India's estimated 28 million Christians, who comprise about 2.3% of the population. The forum called on the Home Ministry to enforce stricter measures against hate-mongering and ensure the right to free religious practice under Article 25 of the Constitution.
As of this evening, the Home Ministry had not issued a response to the UCF's letter. With Christmas Eve just hours away, Christian leaders across the country are bracing for potential unrest, urging peaceful observance and solidarity from all communities.
This report is based on statements from the United Christian Forum and related advocacy groups. Further developments will be monitored.
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