India: 85 Major Anti-Christian Attacks carried out in 2015, NGO reports

85 major anti-Christian attacks were carried out in 2015 according to a NGO based in India. The persecution of Christians occurred across 20 states.

The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) in India, reported that seven pastors were killed in 2015 and 8,000 Christians including women and children were targeted.

The non-government organization cited that the killings and targettings were from across the country especially in areas where certain religions were prohibited.

In an interview with the media, CSF General Secretary Joseph Dias explained that the growth rate of anti-Christian attacks had spiked compared to the previous year.

"There is at least a 20% increase in the incidents in terms of the number of people victimized as against 2014," Dias said. "The real numbers are much higher as many don't want to report such incidents as the police force is communal."

He added that some cases in the media were likely to be biased. "Being less in number, Christians can't fight back," he explained.

Dias also noted that the report showed that nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) had consolidated its activities with its 38 ideological affiliates.

"With the BJP government in the Centre, there is huge increase in RSS shakhas."

"Even though there is no BJP government in Kerala, the state has the highest number of shakhas. West Bengal, which has long been under communist rule and is now governed by liberal forces, BJP has a strong hold over five districts where reconversions are picking up," Dias said.

"There is saffronisation of secular institution and in every sphere secular activities have been saffronised -- be it in the northeast, Tamil Nadu, Kerala or Goa."