(LifeSiteNews) — Four Catholics were arrested on charges of forced conversion and cow slaughter after Hindu nationalist activists stormed a prayer gathering in India’s Rajasthan state, the latest in what Indian bishops say is a “steady increase” in anti-Christian violence.
In an interview published by Crux on May 6, Bishop Devprasad Ganawa of Udaipur said, “The incident is strongly condemnable, as it disrupts the life of the village and the wider community. A peaceful celebration was underway, attended solely by Catholic faithful. Today, being a Christian presents significant challenges, and it often feels as though we are under constant surveillance.”
According to Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, the retired archbishop of Guwahati, a group of “12-13 Hindutva activists” interrupted a Catholic religious gathering. Around 70 Catholics were attending the event. He said those present were accused of “conversion activities and cow slaughter,” after which “the scuffle that followed turned violent.” Menamparampil also stated that police “refused to register a complaint” related to the incident and that Indian leaders “connive at these instances of violence.”
The arrests occurred amid continuing national disputes over anti-conversion legislation in India. Several Indian states, including Rajasthan, enforce laws regulating religious conversion, with penalties for what authorities classify as illegal or forced conversions. Hindu nationalist organizations have repeatedly alleged that Christian groups use coercion or deception to convert Hindus, accusations consistently rejected by Catholic leaders and other Christian representatives.
The Indian archbishop also said that “over 640 such incidents were reported in 2024. Every year there has been a steady increase.”
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Ganawa added that, “nevertheless, our apostolate in education, healthcare, and welfare services continues unabated. Our personnel serve tirelessly, reaching out to people of all castes and creeds without discrimination. We remain committed to our mission of contributing to nation-building.”
India has been governed since 2014 by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is associated with Hindu nationalist organizations. Christians account for approximately 2.3 percent of India’s population of more than 1.4 billion people, according to government figures cited by Crux. In Rajasthan, Hindus represent close to 90 percent of the population, while Christians account for roughly 0.14 percent.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s policies adhere to Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist ideology. Hindutva seeks to define India primarily as a Hindu nation, both culturally and politically. It emerged in the early 20th century and was later adopted by different political groups. Hindutva promotes the idea that true Indian identity is inseparable from Hindu heritage, viewing other religions – especially Christianity and Islam – as foreign influences that threaten national unity.
In particular, Christianity is seen as a danger because it encourages conversion, challenges caste hierarchies, and represents Western values that Hindutva ideologues consider incompatible with India’s traditional social order.