Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) Documents 747 Incidents of Violence on Christians in 2025

New Delhi, March 25, 2026: The Evangelical Fellowship of India has released its annual report on religious freedom through its Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, documenting 747 verified incidents that affected Christian individuals and communities across India during 2025.

Published in New Delhi on March 25, the report presents a detailed account of incidents involving hostility, intimidation, violence, and discrimination. According to the commission, the 747 cases were drawn from more than 915 reports received through its nationwide network and were included only after a careful verification process. The verification involved corroboration from multiple independent sources, while reports that could not be confirmed within the reporting period were excluded.

The findings point to continuing patterns of challenges faced by Christian communities in several parts of the country. These include interruptions of prayer meetings and church services, threats directed at pastors and believers, legal complaints linked to allegations of religious conversion, and instances of social coercion and physical violence.

The report notes that Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh, with additional cases reported from several other states. This geographical spread, the commission said, indicates that such incidents are occurring in different regions rather than being confined to a single area.

It also highlights recurring patterns in the way these incidents unfold, including local pressures, accusations related to religious conversion, and difficulties faced by affected individuals in obtaining timely protection or legal redress. In several cases, the response of local authorities was described as delayed or procedurally inconsistent.

“747 documented incidents reflect patterns that require careful attention,” said Rev. Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India. He added that the central concern is the need to ensure that the constitutional guarantee of freedom of conscience and equal protection under the law is upheld for every citizen.

The Religious Liberty Commission further emphasised that the cases included in the report represent only verified incidents and do not fully reflect the situation on the ground, as many cases remain unreported due to fear, social pressure, or limited access to legal remedies.

Reaffirming its commitment to promoting religious liberty, the Evangelical Fellowship of India called for consistent and impartial enforcement of constitutional safeguards so that all citizens may practise their faith freely and without fear.

By Catholic Connect Reporter