Expressing deep concern over the “disturbing rise” in alleged attacks on churches, Christian institutions, pastors, and members of the Christian community across the country, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his immediate intervention.
In his letter, Singh urged the Prime Minister to “uphold the Constitution, ensure the protection of religious freedom, and take immediate action” against those responsible for targeting religious minorities in several states.“I write to express my deep concern over the disturbing and increasing attacks on churches, Christian institutions, pastors and members of the Christian community across the country,” Singh said.
Citing incidents from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and other states, he said these were not isolated events but reflected a “disturbing pattern of organised intimidation, vandalism, disruption of peaceful worship, and misuse of allegations of religious conversion to target minorities.”Singh particularly highlighted the recent attacks in West Bengal, stating, “The most recent incidents in West Bengal are deeply shocking. Reports indicate that churches and Christian gatherings have been repeatedly attacked in Sonarpur, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, and Kharagpur.”
The allegations have once again brought the question of religious freedom and minority security into the national spotlight. Singh’s appeal to the Prime Minister goes beyond individual incidents, raising a larger concern about whether citizens are able to practise their faith without fear, intimidation or violence.
As demands grow for accountability, the responsibility now lies with governments and law-enforcement agencies to investigate every reported incident impartially, act firmly against those found responsible, and ensure that allegations of religious conversion are not used as a pretext for vigilantism or collective targeting.
India’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to the law. Protecting that freedom is not a concession to any one community; it is a fundamental duty of the State.
Whether in a church, temple, mosque, gurdwara or any other place of worship, no citizen should have to fear violence for practising their faith. The true test of India’s democratic strength lies not merely in the promises written into its Constitution, but in whether those promises are protected when citizens feel most vulnerable.
Sanjay Singh’s letter has now placed the issue before the Prime Minister. The question is whether the concerns raised will lead to a transparent investigation, stronger protection for vulnerable communities, and decisive action against anyone found responsible for violence or intimidation. In a constitutional democracy, silence cannot be allowed to become an answer to fear.
