Christian Persecution in India: Police Silence After Bastar, Chhattisgarh Attack Raises Serious Concerns
Date: 19 November 2025
A serious incident of targeted violence against Christians has been reported from Tushawal village in Bastar Division, Bijapur District, Chhattisgarh, India. On the night of 19 November 2025, several Christian families were attacked inside their homes by a violent mob. Their belongings were destroyed, they were physically intimidated, and death threats were issued if they continued practicing their faith.
However, the most alarming part of the incident is the police refusal to take action. When the victims approached the local police station to file a complaint, officers declined to register a First Information Report (FIR). According to victims and witnesses, the police stated that arresting the attackers would “provoke them further,” and once released, the mob would “return with greater violence.”
This response has raised deep concerns about law enforcement’s ability—and willingness—to protect minority communities in the region.
Incident Details From Bastar, Chhattisgarh
The information was reported by the IDYO Inter Church Youth Organization, Bastar Division, with media in-charge Prashant Lovely John confirming the events.
Victims described the following:
1. A group of men forcefully entered Christian homes during the night.
2. Household items, furniture, and stored belongings were destroyed.
3. Families were threatened with death and ordered to stop all Christian activities.
4. Women and elderly members were terrified; several children hid during the attack.
5. When victims approached the police, they were told that registering a case could escalate tensions.
This refusal to protect victims effectively leaves them vulnerable to repeated violence.
A Pattern of Growing Attacks Against Christians in India
The Bastar incident is not isolated. Across India, especially in rural and tribal regions, Christian communities frequently face:
1. Attacks by radical Hindu mobs
2. Disruption of prayer meetings
3. Forced “reconversion” attempts
4. Destruction of homes and churches
5. Social boycotts
6. Threats for practicing Christianity
7. False accusations under anti-conversion laws
According to multiple human-rights reports, these attacks often follow a similar pattern—mobs act with impunity while authorities fail to offer protection.
Why Police Inaction Is a Major Concern
The refusal of Chhattisgarh police to register an FIR reflects a broader problem:
law enforcement in several regions hesitates to act against Hindu extremist groups.
Several factors contribute to this trend:
1. Pressure from Local Radical Groups
In many villages, extremist organizations hold strong influence. Police often fear retaliation or community unrest if they arrest members of these groups.
2. Political Sensitivity
Some radical organizations enjoy political support, making police reluctant to take decisive action.
3. Misuse of Anti-Conversion Laws
In states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, anti-conversion laws are frequently misused.
Christians are often accused of “forced conversions” without evidence.
Police sometimes use these allegations as a reason to avoid protecting the victims.
4. Fear of Larger Conflict
As seen in the Bastar incident, police commonly claim that arresting attackers would “create more trouble.”
This reasoning raises a troubling question:
If police avoid action due to fear, who ensures justice for victims?
The Specific Vulnerability of Bastar’s Christian Community
Bastar, located in the state of Chhattisgarh, has a long history of tension involving religious minorities. Over the past decade, the region has witnessed:
1. Repeated attacks on churches
2. Expulsions of Christian families from village
3. Forced public renunciations of faith
4. Destruction of prayer houses
5. Blocked burial grounds
6. Threats against pastors and church workers
The tribal belt of Bastar has become one of the most difficult regions for Christians in India, with extremist groups frequently targeting anyone who refuses to abandon their beliefs.
The 19 November attack fits into this ongoing pattern.
Failure of Law Enforcement: The Most Alarming Element
While mob violence itself is deeply concerning, the institutional failure is even more serious.
1. Not Filing an FIR
In India, registering an FIR is the first legal step for justice.
When police refuse to do so:
No investigation begins
No arrests can be made
No prosecution is possible
Attackers feel protected
Victims lose trust in the system
2. Fear-Based Policing
The police claim that action would provoke the attackers.
This essentially means:
The mob controls the law
Police are afraid of enforcing order
Victims are left defenseless
3. Encouragement to Extremist Groups
When authorities refuse action, extremist mobs interpret it as permission to continue attacks.
This increases violence and reduces safety for minorities.
Impact on India’s Religious Freedom
India’s constitution guarantees every citizen:
1. Freedom of religion
2. Equality before the law
3. Protection from violence
Yet incidents like the Bastar attack reveal how these rights fail to reach the ground level.
Christian families often:
1. Worship in fear
2. Hide their faith
3. Avoid gatherings
4. Face village-wide boycott
5. Live under constant threats
Such conditions undermine the principle of religious freedom.
Critical Questions That Demand Answers
The Bastar incident raises urgent questions:
1. Why were Christian families denied legal protection after a violent attack?
2. Why did police refuse to file a formal complaint against the attackers?
3. How can justice be delivered if victims cannot even register a case?
4. What steps will authorities take to prevent further violence in Bastar and surrounding regions?
5. How long will extremist groups be allowed to operate without accountability?
These questions reflect the reality faced by thousands of Christian families across India.
Conclusion
The attack on Christian families in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, is a serious violation of basic rights and a striking example of the growing persecution of Christians in India.
The refusal of police to take action against the attackers exposes a systemic problem that requires immediate attention.
Without firm law enforcement, victims will continue to live in fear, and extremist groups will feel empowered to commit further violence.
Ensuring justice, security, and constitutional rights for all citizens—regardless of faith—must become a priority.
Source
IDYO Inter Church Youth Organization, Bastar Division
Media In-Charge: Prashant Lovely John.
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