However noble the commitment of the Indian government to their professed sacred values may sound, the reality on the ground is very different. ICC regularly receives reports on the declining condition of religious liberty and the consistent abuse of the Freedom of Religion laws, also known as anti-forced conversion laws. The ongoing persecution of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, and other religious minorities is a constant reminder that radical Hindu nationalists are exploiting the cracks within India’s justice system. Their ultimate aim is ensuring that all of India will be completely Hindu and all other non-Hindu elements will be expunged from Indian society. The BJP too often encourages such violence through extremist rhetoric against religious minorities.
Unless the Indian government takes greater action, religious minorities will continue to face persecution and marginalization at the hands of mainstream society. Christians, Muslims, and other minority groups will face increasing violence and hatred as long as the radical Hindu nationalists of the BJP maintain power in India. Prime Minister Modi should heed his own advice and properly enforce the rule of law and guarantee safety and freedom for all religious minorities in India.
Matias Perttula, ICC’s Advocacy Director, said, “The response from the Indian government was not unexpected. It is the case with most advocacy efforts that the government at fault rarely, if ever, admits fault and implements proper changes. Ultimately, it is not until a change occurs in national leadership that national policy begins to move in a different, and hopefully positive, direction. The goal of our efforts as advocates is to continue to bring the issues to the forefront of the debate and use every opportunity to make the public aware of the realities of persecution.”
For interviews with Matias Perttula, Advocacy Director, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org