According to a report by the United Christian Forum, there has been a sharp rise of 400%, from 147 in 2014 to 598 in 2022, in violence against the community. Uttar Pradesh leads with highest numbers of reported incidents. Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and tamil Nadu are among top five states reporting maximum incidents.
The congregation, organised by the Delhi-NCR Christian community, was held to highlight concerns about the alarming hike in reports of hate crimes and discrimination against Christians across the country. Around 79 churches including Baptist Council of Churches, United Pentecostal Church – North East India, Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church and others participated in the protest, calling it the first such agitation in over a decade. The last protest held by the community was regarding the issue of Dalit Christians, as per the press release circulated at the event.