New report highlights ‘existential crisis’ affecting India’s Christian minority

Thanks to constituents across Argyll & Bute who have been in touch about the Open Doors ‘Destructive Lies’ event which I attended this morning (July 1).

The event marked the launch of the Open Doors report into the escalating crisis facing persecuted Christians in India. The rise of violent Hindu religious nationalism means that “Christians are facing an existential threat” in India.

Religious minorities particularly those living in rural areas, are afforded little or no protection from violent mobs. Even in a pandemic, the violence has not stopped. Christians and religious minorities continue to face systemic and relentless attacks. The escalation of this coordinated violence and discrimination represents an existential threat to the Indian church.

Often violence and incitement to hatred are organised on social media. Despite appeals, social media companies have done nothing to stop or remove this content.

I have agreed to meet with Open Doors to see how we in parliament can raise this issue with the giant Tech companies.

To learn more about the work of Open Doors and to read the report on India visit https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/india-destructive-lies/