17 incidents of violence against Christians within first 19 days of New Year

Helpline records of United Christian Forum (UCF) reported 17 incidents of violence against Christians in the country within the first 19 days of the New Year 2020.

UCF is a national organization that documents cases of violence against churches and Christians in India and upholds fundamental freedoms and promotes values of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity.

The incidents recorded at UCF’s helpline number showed nine states with Uttar Pradesh leading the list with six incidents of violence against Christian minorities.

A. C. Michael, convener of the UCF, lamented that “Year 2020 has begun well for those who like to harass the Christian community.”

Michael, a Christian leader, told Matters India that among many incidents that took place, five were due to the complicity of the authorities who also restricted 10 religious activities. Most of them were mob threats and in one of the cases a Church property was severely damaged.

Including women and children, 69 people were affected in these incidents of violence because of their faith.