Human Rights Abuses Against Minorities in India

Two days before Christmas, a video circulated widely on social media showing a Hindu extremist harassing a Christian citizen and warning him not to follow the Bible. The individual is seen issuing threats and attempting to intimidate the Christian man over his religious beliefs.

This incident is another example of the growing intolerance and pressure faced by religious minorities in India. Such acts highlight ongoing concerns regarding religious freedom, social hostility, and the shrinking space for minorities to practice their faith without fear or coercion.

On 15 December 2025, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen on video pulling down the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor, Nusrat Parveen, during a government appointment ceremony in Patna. The clip spread rapidly on social media and led to widespread criticism from political leaders, civil society groups, and international human rights organisations.
Amnesty International described the act as an assault on the woman’s dignity and religious identity and called for accountability. Opposition parties and minority rights advocates condemned the incident, stating that it reflects a broader climate of discomfort and hostility faced by Muslims in parts of India.
Several rights groups and political observers have in recent years raised concerns that incidents involving religious minorities have increased during the tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments, particularly in matters relating to religious expression and identity.

20–25 December 2025, Multiple states across India — Christmas celebrations in several parts of India were disrupted by incidents of violence, vandalism, and intimidation targeting Christian communities, as documented on Wikipedia. Reports indicated that prayer gatherings, churches, and public decorations were attacked or disrupted in states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Delhi.
In some cases, mobs vandalised Christmas decorations, threatened worshippers, and forced the cancellation of religious events, often citing allegations of religious conversions. A notable incident included vandalism at a mall in Raipur where Christmas displays were damaged.
Background data cited in the report showed a sharp rise in attacks against Christians in recent years, with hundreds of incidents recorded annually and only a small proportion leading to police cases.
The events highlighted growing concerns about religious intolerance, disruption of minority religious practices, and inadequate protection for Christian communities during major religious occasions in India.

March 2026, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India — At least two Muslims were killed in an outbreak of ethnic violence that also saw widespread attacks on Muslim property and places of worship. According to a report by Muslim Network TV, mobs vandalised the Jama Masjid in Tura, assaulted the mosque’s imam, and damaged parts of the structure.
The violence extended beyond the mosque, with homes of Muslim residents set on fire and more than 30 shops owned by Bengali Muslim traders reportedly looted or destroyed in nearby market areas. Authorities imposed a curfew and suspended internet services across the region to contain the situation, while additional security forces were deployed.
The incident highlights serious concerns over targeted ethnic and religious violence against Muslim minorities, along with the scale of damage to both lives and livelihoods.

January 2026, Uttarakhand, India — A Hindu man identified as Deepak faced threats after he intervened to stop a mob from harassing a Muslim man. According to reports, the Muslim individual was being targeted and bullied by a group when Deepak stepped in, identifying himself as “Mohammad Deepak” to challenge the mob’s behavior.
Following the incident, Deepak reportedly received threats for supporting the victim, highlighting the risks faced even by those who speak out against mob harassment. The case underscores ongoing concerns about communal targeting of Muslims and growing intolerance, as well as the social pressure faced by individuals who oppose such actions.

3 January 2026, Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, India — A mob reportedly vandalised and set fire to at least six houses belonging to Muslim families, triggering communal tension in the area. According to reports, the violence broke out following allegations related to religious desecration, which quickly escalated into targeted attacks on minority homes.
During the unrest, several police personnel were also injured while attempting to control the situation. Authorities later deployed additional forces to restore order and initiated action against those involved. The incident raised concerns about mob violence, targeting of minority communities, and the rapid escalation of communal tensions.

12 January 2026, Korrakudu village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India — A minibus carrying about 15 Christian evangelists from the Gospel Hall Church was violently attacked by a group described as Hindu nationalists as the team concluded a gospel outreach in the area. According to reports, the assailants — about 30 people on motorbikes wearing orange clothing — ambushed the bus with cricket bats, stones, and wooden rods, smashing windows and attempting to set the vehicle on fire. The evangelists escaped before the vehicle was engulfed. A video circulating on social media showed the attackers shouting slogans and beating the bus.
Local pastors filed a complaint with police, identifying more than 15 leaders of the group responsible for the attack. Village elders reportedly pressured the pastors to withdraw the complaint, claiming legal action could harm local youth. State officials, including the chief minister and home minister of Andhra Pradesh, urged leniency while promising to prevent further attacks.

12–13 January 2026, Odisha, India — Four Christian families in a tribal village were reportedly attacked by a mob after refusing to renounce their faith, according to a report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide. As tensions escalated, the mob demolished the houses of the four families.
When the victims sought help at the nearby police station, officers allegedly sided with the attackers, threatening that the families’ identity cards and ration supplies would be cancelled, and questioning their religious choices. Local rights observers said the incident reflected both community‑level religious intolerance and institutional insensitivity toward minority Christians in India, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

28 January 2026, Kapena village, Nabarangpur district, Odisha, India — Members of the Christian community in Kapena village were reportedly harassed and forced to stop their prayer service by a group of miscreants, who allegedly locked about 30 tribal Christians inside their church and prevented them from conducting prayers. Witnesses said the alleged attackers used loudspeakers to threaten that the church would be demolished and that Christian families should leave the village if they continued worship. Two youths from the community were reportedly assaulted during the incident. The matter was reported to local police, who stated tensions existed between community groups and deployed personnel to maintain order. A peace committee was formed, and authorities gave time for relocating the prayer hall to reduce conflict.