The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has expressed grave concern over the escalating persecution of Christians across the country, particularly during the current Christmas season.

In an “‘Open Letter to Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi”, the NBCC said it was regrettable that they had to seek his intervention “only when there are problems and not congratulate you for so many things that you and your cabinet have done for the country.”

The letter issued by Rev Achu Chang President, NBCC; Rev Dr Mar Pongener, General Secretary (NBCC) and Dr Villo Naleo Secretary, Social Concern (NBCC) noted that especially during the Christmas season, there has been more open attacks on Christians across the nation, describing the “persecution of Christians” in India not an isolated incident, but rather a “growing concern”.

Citing data from the United Christians Forum, the NBCC stated that between January and October 2025 alone, more than 600 incidents of violence were documented averaging two attacks per day including mob assaults, public humiliation, church disruption and the demolition of homes.

“It’s a bitter irony that in a country that prides itself on being the world’s largest democracy, citizens are facing attacks for simply celebrating Christmas,” the letter stated, adding, “The freedom of practice one’s faith seems like a distant dream when such incidents occur again and again.”

NBCC expressed deep disappointment that Christian MLAs, including those from the BJP, failed to raise their voices against attacks and hate speech, even in high-profile cases such as in Bareily (Uttar Pradesh),

Lajpat Nagar (Delhi), Raipur shopping mall (Chhattisgarh), St. Mary’s School attack (Nalbari, Assam) and incidents in Kerala and Rajasthan

“We expected our honourable Christian MLAs, particularly those from your own BJP party to raise just voices against attacks on Christians and the hate speech directed at Christianity,” the letter stated, adding, “Yet, once again they proved us wrong by remaining silent on these critical issues in the crucial moment.”

The NBCC warned that the rising tide of Christian persecution in India is making its “increasingly precarious to be a Christian,” asserting that the pace and intensity of attacks suggest that simply being a Christian is turning into an existential threat.
Strongly criticizing the “silence of the powers that be”, the NBCC said it has allowed religious hate speeches and campaigns calling for mass murder of religious minorities within their political jurisdiction.

“It is unthinkable, as a Christian and citizen of India today and be on the receiving end of religious persecution. It is quite baffling to understand why so much of hatred is vented against a community like Christians. If we consider the contribution of Christians in nation building, we proudly can say that we are contributing to the security, economy, culture and political shaping of modern India to this day,” the letter stated.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

“Have Christians lacked nationalism? Have Christians betrayed and worked against the constitution of India?,” the NBCC asked and said nationalism should not be understood in terms of negative and quasi-religious tenets.

“Christian understanding of nationalism is loyalty and patriotism to the nation and for this, Christians didn’t lack anything from the rest of the cultural Hindu nationalists,” the Council asserted.

The Council emphasized that Christianity did not originate in the West but in West Asia (Jerusalem), and that St. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ brought the faith to Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu (South India) in the 1st century CE.

The NBCC acknowledged that Christians, despite their social identity as “marginalized people”, have been encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards suffering and trials.

“Our religious outlook on salvation has sustained our unity and composure in suffering. This is one of the greatest gifts of salvation, the power to persevere courageously. Yet, divisive forces like Hindutva ideology, the RSS, UCC and anti-conversion bills are disturbing Christian harmony in India. It appears that all these forces are collectively working against the identity, dignity and community of Christians in India,” the NBCC further stated.

The NBCC reminded the Prime Minister that India’s Constitution proudly upholds secularism, rendering these attacks entirely unacceptable. It urged the Prime Minister to address the matter with utmost urgency, while assuring its continued prayers and support to nation building.