Congress Urges PM Modi to Act Against Rising Violence on Christians
Congress calls on PM Modi to address alarming surge in violence and intimidation against Christian community.
Photo by Nikola Tomašić
The Congress party has expressed "profound dismay" over an alleged surge in violence and intimidation against India's Christian community, particularly during the Christmas season. K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing incidents across multiple states like Delhi, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, where mobs reportedly disrupted celebrations, attacked churches, and harassed worshippers.
The party termed these incidents a "brazen assault" on constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and equality, urging the Prime Minister to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further violence and safeguard India's pluralism. This issue underscores ongoing debates about minority rights and communal harmony in India, a critical aspect of its secular fabric.
Key Facts
Alleged surge in violence and intimidation against Christian community during Christmas season
Incidents reported in Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala
UPSC Exam Angles
Constitutional provisions related to religious freedom (Articles 25-28)
Minority rights and safeguards (Articles 29-30)
Concept of secularism in the Indian Constitution (Preamble, Basic Structure)
Role of the State and Union Government in maintaining law and order (Seventh Schedule)
National Commission for Minorities and its mandate
Challenges to communal harmony and national integration
Criminal Justice System and prevention of hate crimes
Visual Insights
Reported Incidents of Violence Against Christians (December 2025)
This map highlights the states where the Congress party reported incidents of violence and intimidation against the Christian community, particularly during the Christmas season of 2025.
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More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Freedom of Religion in India: 1. Article 25 guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion to all persons, including non-citizens. 2. The State can impose restrictions on the right to freedom of religion on grounds of public order, morality, health, and social welfare. 3. Religious denominations have the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, but not to administer their own affairs in matters of religion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct. Article 25 extends to all persons, including citizens and non-citizens. Statement 2 is correct. Article 25 (1) explicitly states that the rights are subject to public order, morality, and health. Article 25 (2) further allows the State to make laws for social welfare and reform, including throwing open Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus. Statement 3 is incorrect. Article 26 grants every religious denomination the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, to manage its own affairs in matters of religion, to own and acquire movable and immovable property, and to administer such property in accordance with law. The phrase 'not to administer their own affairs in matters of religion' makes it incorrect.
2. In the context of India's constitutional secularism, which of the following statements best describes its unique approach compared to the Western model?
- A.Indian secularism advocates for a complete separation between religion and the State, similar to the 'wall of separation' in the USA.
- B.The Indian State maintains a policy of principled distance from all religions, allowing for intervention in religious affairs to ensure equality and social reform.
- C.The Preamble of the Indian Constitution explicitly declares India as a secular state, but this concept was only added through the 44th Amendment Act.
- D.Indian secularism prohibits the State from providing financial aid to any religious institution, irrespective of its purpose.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Option A is incorrect. Indian secularism is not about complete separation but rather a 'principled distance' where the State can intervene in religious matters for social reform (e.g., abolishing untouchability, allowing women entry into temples). Option B is correct. This 'principled distance' allows the State to support or intervene in religious affairs to promote equality, justice, and social reform, which is a hallmark of Indian secularism. Option C is incorrect. The term 'secular' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, not the 44th. Option D is incorrect. The State can provide financial aid to religious institutions for educational purposes or for the maintenance of historical religious sites, provided it is done without discrimination.
3. With reference to minority rights and related institutions in India, consider the following statements: 1. Article 29 of the Constitution protects the interests of minorities by granting them the right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture. 2. Article 30 grants all minorities, whether based on religion or language, the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. 3. The National Commission for Minorities is a constitutional body established to safeguard the interests of notified minority communities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct. Article 29(1) states that any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same. This applies to minorities. Statement 2 is correct. Article 30(1) states that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Statement 3 is incorrect. The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is a statutory body, established under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, not a constitutional body.
4. Regarding the maintenance of public order and communal harmony in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.'Public Order' is a subject listed under the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
- B.The Union Government can deploy central armed police forces in a state without the state government's consent to maintain public order.
- C.The Constitution of India guarantees to every person the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
- D.The term 'secular' was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Option A is correct. 'Public Order' (Entry 1) and 'Police' (Entry 2) are explicitly listed under the State List in the Seventh Schedule, making them primary responsibilities of state governments. Option B is incorrect. Generally, the Union Government requires the consent of the state government to deploy central armed police forces (CAPFs) for maintaining public order within a state. While there are exceptions (e.g., for protecting central government property, in certain emergency situations, or when a state requests assistance), unilateral deployment for general public order maintenance without consent is a contentious issue and not the norm. Option C is correct. This is a direct quote from Article 25(1) of the Indian Constitution, outlining the limitations on religious freedom. Option D is correct. The term 'secular' along with 'socialist' and 'integrity' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.