The NBCC is seeking your attention as you are aware that this year, especially during the Christmas season, there has been more open attacks on Christians across the nation.
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Respected Prime Minister,
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) brings Christian greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is regretting to seek your attention only when there are problems and not congratulate you for so many things that you and your cabinet have done for the country. Nevertheless, we believe that God has appointed you to be our political leader at this juncture of our nation’s history. As you are aware that this year, especially during the Christmas season, there has been more open attacks on Christians across the nation. The persecution of Christians in India is not an isolated incident; it is a growing concern. According to reliable statistics from the United Christians Forum, 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 freedom to practice one’s faith seems like a distant dream when such incidents occur again and again.
We expected our honourable Christian MLAs, particularly those from your own BJP party to raise their just voices against attacks on Christians and the hate speech directed at Christianity; in UP (Bareily incident), Kerala, Delhi (Lajpat Nagar incident), Chhattisgarh (Raipur shopping mall), Assam (St. Mary School, Nalbari district), and Rajasthan. Yet, once again they proved us wrong by remaining silent on these critical issues in the crucial moment when Christians all over our nation needed their solidarity. They could be expecting religious extremists to attack us in our Christian home state, only then they might speak.
The rising tide of Christian persecution in India is making it increasingly precarious to be a Christian. The pace and intensity of attacks suggest that simply being a Christian is turning into an existential threat. The most horrifying thing is the silence of the powers that be, allowing religious hate speeches and campaigns calling for the 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.
Have Christians lacked nationalism? Have Christians betrayed and worked against the constitution of India? Nationalism should not be understood in terms of negative and quasireligious 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. Christianity is not the religion of the West; if we consider the origin of Christianity, it started in West Asia (Jerusalem). Hindu nationalists accused Christians over forced conversion and embracing the white man’s religion. History and tradition tell us that St. Thomas a disciple of Jesus Christ came to Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu (South India) in the 1st century C.E.
Christians, despite their social identity as marginalised people, have been encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards suffering and trials. Not because suffering has been ordained by God, rather the fullness of salvation yet to be revealed is in no way comparable with the myriads of trials we face today. The fact that being marginalised itself gives a lot of room for harbouring hatred and grudge; but the thought of eternal vindication from every pain and depression gives glorious hope and absolute joy for believers to persevere. 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.
Given that many of the country’s lawmakers, politicians and bureaucrats were educated in Christian institutions, it is unimaginable that Christians should be treated as marginalised minorities, and be subjected to step-motherly treatment from the government. India must not forget that democracy can be innovative and resourceful. When democracy is exercised in its fullest measure, it can create peace and harmony, co-existence and unity. Democracy must be shown both in the form of governance and a way of life. It must insure personal freedom of expression, equality of all persons before the law and freedom of all people from discrimination on grounds of religion, colour or race.
Honourable Prime Minister, under your leadership, you have taken the nation to a level that very few leaders can achieve. The nation of India is not isolated from the world with its vast population comes greater responsibilities; and other countries look upon India as an international democratic model. India’s constitution proudly upholds secularism, rendering these attacks entirely unacceptable. India can achieve her dream of becoming a world’s superpower, only when we leave our moral and intellectual turpitude for amelioration.
It is our earnest prayer and hope that you will address this matter with utmost urgency. We assure you of our continued prayers and render our support to nations building.
Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener
General Secretary (NBCC)
Rev. Achu Chang
President, NBCC
Dr. Villo Naleo
Secretary, Social Concern (NBCC)