The All India Catholic Union (AICU), Asia’s oldest laity organisation, has expressed “deep concern” over what it describes as escalating intimidation of Christian communities across several Indian states, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
In a press statement issued on 15 March and accessed by Christian Today, the 106-year-old organisation highlighted troubling developments in several states where it claims Christians face increasing hostility.
The statement came following the AICU’s working committee meeting in Jharsuguda, Odisha, where the organisation also extended prayers for Pope Francis, who has been experiencing health challenges.
“The world needed the spiritual leadership of Pope Francis in these fraught times, where each continent is beset with existential issues impacting the people,” the statement read, noting that climate change, violence, hate crimes, concerns about artificial intelligence, and widening economic disparities “have been of great concern to the Holy Father.”
The AICU praised the Pope, stating that “health challenges have not daunted the Pope, who has in fact extended hope and healing to the world at large.”
Call for Government Action
The union has called on national and state governments in India “to learn from the Pope and work assiduously for peace and amity.” The statement urged authorities to “put an end to hate speech, targeted violence, and the coercion of religious minorities and marginalised communities, including Dalits and indigenous peoples, in various parts of North and Central India, and the North-east.”
“It is the duty of the Union and state governments to ensure that minorities and marginalised communities feel safe, and are reassured that the governments will act preemptively to prevent violence,” the AICU emphasised.
Legislative Concerns
The AICU voiced particular alarm over developments in Arunachal Pradesh, where efforts are underway to revive the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 - legislation that has remained dormant for 47 years.
“The AICU is also deeply disturbed by developments in Arunachal Pradesh, where an attempt is afoot to revive the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978,” the statement noted. According to the union, Christians in the state fear that “once the Act is made operational, the indigenous co-existence between tribes and communities is likely to be disturbed.”
Similarly concerning for the organisation is Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s proposal to amend anti-conversion laws. The statement highlighted that “in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav says that his administration is planning to amend the Anti conversion law so that conversion of girls could be made a punishable offence with death penalty.”
Humanitarian Crisis in Manipur
The statement addressed the ongoing situation in Manipur, which was placed under President’s Rule in February 2025. The AICU noted that “concrete steps remain to be taken for the rehabilitation of over 60,000 internally displaced persons still living in makeshift non-government camps.”
Documented Violence
Citing hate crime monitoring groups, the AICU reported that 834 incidents of violence against Christians had been documented across various Indian states by December 2024.
“Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have become the hotspots of viral hate, brutal mob violence, rampant social ostracisation in which elements of the law and justice apparatus is complicit,” the statement said, adding that “many attacks go unreported for fear of retribution in the environment of impunity and political patronage.”
Despite these concerns, the AICU statement maintained that “the ordinary people of the country are not involved in these hate campaigns and violence.” The organisation called on authorities to “identify the persons, groups or organisations involved, and see that they are brought to book.”
