2025 Appeal to Protect Indian Christians from planned violence on March 1st by an influential leader

Dear US Representative,

I would have never thought I would be writing something like this in 2025!!!!

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit the United States starting Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, this moment presents a crucial opportunity to address these urgent issues, which have been systematically suppressed by the Indian government and media.


2025 Open Calls for Genocide and Violence 
Disturbingly, individuals with close ties to the government and influential religious leaders have openly incited violence against religious minorities. For instance, Aadesh Soni, a well- connected individual, has called for a "Gau Nyay Yatra" (Cow Justice Parade) on March 1, 2025. In a chilling social media post, he urged 5,000 people to invade three predominantly Christian villages in Chhattisgarh—Bishrampur, Janakpur, and Ganeshpur. He explicitly called for the violation of women, public obscenity, and the slaughter of Christians, accusing them of cow slaughter, a charge often used to justify violence against minorities.
Equally alarming is the role of Hindu priest Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand, who has publicly endorsed Soni's call for violence. In a video, he urged 1,000 people to kill those accused of cow slaughter, stating that they should be prepared to face the death penalty for their actions. Such inflammatory rhetoric, coupled with the administration's inaction, has created a tinderbox of communal tension.

Historical Context and Ongoing Persecution
The state of Chhattisgarh, where these threats are centered, has a long history of Christian missionary work, particularly by Rev. Dr. Oscar Lohr in the 1860s. Today, the Adivasi (tribal) population, many of whom are Christians, face systematic persecution. In December 2024, eight village councils in Chhattisgarh passed resolutions banning Christians from their villages unless they renounced their faith. Reports indicate that around 100 Christians were forced to flee, with threats of property confiscation and violence. A mob of 1,500 people looted Christian crops and demanded they abandon their faith, while the police stood by as silent spectators.

They have already done something similar in the past [5]


2023 Manipur Massacre
In 2023, the state of Manipur witnessed horrific violence targeting the Christian community. Hundreds of Christians were killed, women were raped, and some were paraded naked in public. These atrocities were not isolated acts of violence but part of a broader pattern of religious persecution that has escalated since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. Shockingly, the Indian government and media have largely suppressed these facts, denying justice to the victims and shielding the perpetrators.

Escalating Religious Persecution Under BJP Rule
Since the BJP assumed power, religious minorities in India, particularly Christians and Muslims, have faced increasing violence and discrimination. According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), incidents of violence against Christians have risen sharply, with over 600 attacks reported in 2023 alone. These include mob lynching, destruction of churches, and forced conversions. The government's failure to hold perpetrators accountable has emboldened extremist groups, creating a climate of impunity.



Call to Action
The international community cannot remain silent in the face of such blatant violations of human rights and religious freedom. I urge you to:
1. Raise Awareness: Use your platform to highlight the plight of religious minorities in India, particularly the Manipur incident and the threats in Chhattisgarh.
2. Demand Accountability: Question Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government about their failure to protect religious minorities and hold perpetrators accountable.
3. Support Human Rights Activists: Stand in solidarity with Indian human rights activists who are courageously fighting for justice and equality.
4. Impose Diplomatic Pressure: Advocate for sanctions or other diplomatic measures against individuals and organizations inciting violence and hatred.

The world must not turn a blind eye to the suhering of India's religious minorities. The values of democracy, human rights, and religious freedom are universal, and their erosion anywhere is a threat to these principles everywhere.

I implore you to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further bloodshed and ensure that justice prevails. Together, we can make a diherence and uphold the dignity and rights of all people.
Yours sincerely,


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Attachments:
1. Screenshots of Aadesh Soni's social media post.
2. Video links of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand's inflammatory statements. 3. Statistics on religious persecution in India since 2014.

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This letter is intended to be circulated widely among media outlets, human rights organizations, and government ohicials in the United States and around the world. Let us unite to ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and that justice is served.

REFRENCES:

[1] https://youtu.be/mdwXeulcHow?si=GM5p4RoKFtqs28r9

[2] https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/uscirf-spotlight/violence-against-tribal-christians- manipur-india

[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/india/anti-minority-hate-speech-india-rose-by-74-2024- research-group-says-2025-02-10/

[4] https://www.persecution.org/2024/12/26/new-data-shows-sharp-increase-in-attacks-on- christians/

[5] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/disabled-muslim-truck-driver-killed-on-suspicion-of-carrying-beef-in-bihars-saran-district/article67027880.ece