There was chaos at church.
A violent attack occurred during a Sunday service in Bikaner, Rajasthan, where around 50 Christians were assaulted by a mob of roughly 200 people. Armed with iron rods, the attackers injured several worshipers and vandalized the church property. The incident happened on February 16, near the end of the service, leaving three people seriously injured and many others bruised. The police arrived shortly after the attack, causing the assailants to flee.
The church’s pastor, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, said that a new member had been attending the service that day and was seen sending messages just before the mob entered. After the attack, police questioned the injured Christians and accused them of forced conversions, although no evidence was found. Fearing retaliation, church members decided not to file a formal complaint, and no legal action was taken against the attackers.
This assault occurred in the context of the recently proposed Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill 2025, an anti-conversion measure currently being considered by the state’s legislative assembly. If passed, the bill would require individuals who wish to convert voluntarily to submit an application 60 days in advance, and forced conversions would be treated as non-bailable offenses with harsh penalties, including up to 10 years in prison.
Anti-conversion laws are already enforced in 12 Indian states, and Rajasthan’s proposed bill follows a broader trend of such laws being implemented in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The new laws increase concerns about the treatment of religious minorities, including Christians, in the country. A letter from over 400 Christians and various church groups was sent to India’s president and prime minister, urging action against rising violence and intimidation targeting religious minorities.
Reports from the United Christian Forum highlight a significant increase in attacks against Christian communities in recent years, with 127 incidents recorded in 2014 and 834 in 2024. These attacks have raised alarms about the growing threat to religious freedom in India.