| 747 documented incidents reflect continuing patterns affecting Christian communities across India in 2025 March 24, 2026 NEW DELHI – The Evangelical Fellowship of India’s Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC) has released its 2025 annual report documenting incidents affecting Christian individuals and communities and the exercise of freedom of religion across India. According to the report, EFIRLC documented 747 incidents of hostility, intimidation, violence, and discrimination during the year. These cases were drawn from over 915 reports received through its nationwide network and have been included following a process of verification involving corroboration from multiple independent sources. Reports that could not be sufficiently corroborated within the reporting period were not included in the final dataset, reflecting EFIRLC’s commitment to documenting verified incidents. The findings reflect continuing patterns affecting Christian communities across different parts of the country. These include disruption of prayer meetings and church services, threats and intimidation directed at pastors and believers, legal complaints linked to allegations of religious conversion, and instances of social coercion and physical violence. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh, with additional cases documented across several other states. The distribution indicates that such incidents are not confined to any single region but occur across multiple parts of India. The report also highlights recurring dynamics in the way such incidents unfold, including the role of local pressures, allegations related to religious conversion, and challenges faced by affected individuals in accessing timely protection or redress. In several cases, responses from local authorities were reported 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. “At the heart of this issue is the need to ensure that the constitutional guarantee of freedom of conscience and the equal protection of the law are upheld for all citizens.” EFIRLC emphasised that the incidents presented in the report represent verified cases and do not capture the full extent of experiences on the ground, as many incidents remain unreported due to fear, social pressure, or limited access to legal remedies. The Evangelical Fellowship of India reiterates its commitment to promoting religious liberty, encouraging constructive engagement, and supporting efforts that strengthen the constitutional framework of rights and protections for all communities. It calls for consistent and impartial enforcement of constitutional protections to ensure that all citizens are able to practise their faith without fear. The full report can be accessed by clicking THIS link. For further information or inquiries, please contact: mail@efirlc.org Released by: Rev. Vijayesh LalNational Director – EFIRLCGeneral Secretary – EFI |
| About EFIRLCThe Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) is an initiative of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), established in 1998 to promote religious liberty and fundamental freedoms for all, and to support individuals and communities affected by violations of these rights. Through a nationwide network, the Commission documents incidents affecting the freedom of religion, provides legal and practical support to victims, and engages with civil society and public institutions to raise awareness on issues related to freedom of religion or belief in India. Since 2009, EFIRLC has published an annual report documenting verified incidents across the country. The Commission also contributed to the formation of the Christian Legal Association, which now functions as an independent body of legal professionals working on issues of religious freedom. About EFIThe Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), founded in 1951, is the national alliance of evangelical Christians in India. Its membership includes over 50 Protestant denominations and related church groups, encompassing more than 65,000 churches, along with over 200 church-related mission agencies and organisations and thousands of individual members. EFI serves as a network and service organisation, representing the evangelical community and working to strengthen its participation in national life. EFI is a charter member of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), a global network of evangelical churches representing over 600 million Christians worldwide. Founded in 1846, WEA holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. |