EFIRLC Documents 747 Incidents Affecting Christian Communities Across India in 2025

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 HERE

For further information or media inquiries, please contact: mail@efirlc.org

Released by:
Rev. Vijayesh Lal
National Director – EFIRLC
General Secretary – EFI