ISLAMABAD: The year 2025 saw a wide range of reported incidents affecting religious, caste, and ethnic minorities across India, including violence, harassment, mob attacks, caste-based killings, evictions, and interference with religious celebrations, according to media reports and official data.
Christian communities experienced disruptions during the Christmas season. In December, reports indicated coordinated attempts by extremist elements to prevent celebrations in multiple areas.
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a mob of 40-50 men reportedly entered a shopping mall, removed Christmas decorations, questioned visitors about their religion, and damaged property.
Similar disruptions of prayer meetings and carol-singing events were reported in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Data compiled by the United Christian Forum shows that 834 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded nationwide in 2024.
Through November, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of incidents. Burial-related disputes in tribal areas also continued, with 23 incidents reported, including cases of exhumation or denial of burial space.
Muslim communities faced multiple reported incidents of violence and discrimination. In Karnataka, over 200 homes were reportedly demolished in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony in Bengaluru, displacing Muslim families under a local government operation.
In Bihar, a Muslim clothes vendor, Athar Hussain, was reportedly lynched by a mob in Nawada district on Dec. 5 after being questioned about his religious identity. Police detained four suspects following a formal complaint by his wife.
A separate incident at the Chief Minister’s secretariat in Bihar saw a Muslim woman’s hijab forcibly removed during an appointment ceremony, according to media reports.
Caste- and ethnicity-based violence was reported across several states. In Kerala’s Palakkad district, a Dalit daily-wage laborer was lynched by a mob after being suspected of being a foreign national. In Karnataka’s Dharwad district, a seven-months-pregnant woman was reportedly killed in an inter-caste attack linked to opposition to her marriage.
Additionally, a 24-year-old man from India’s northeastern region was fatally attacked by a mob in Dehradun, with media reports indicating racial slurs were used before the assault.
Discrimination complaints continued to be filed in significant numbers. Official data presented to India’s parliament showed that Uttar Pradesh accounted for 35% of all minority discrimination complaints in 2024.
The National Commission for Minorities received 1,390 complaints nationwide that year, including 482 from Uttar Pradesh, regarding law and order, police conduct, and land disputes.
Overall, 2025 reflected a pattern of challenges faced by India’s minority communities, spanning religious, caste, and ethnic lines. Incidents included mob attacks, harassment during religious events, forced evictions, lynching, and denial of fundamental rights.
Civil society monitoring highlighted continued systemic issues affecting Christians, Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalized groups.
