Christian minorities in India’s Chhattisgarh state are facing persecution at the hands of Hindu nationalist groups leveraging digital technology. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) orchestrates attacks using WhatsApp, coordinating rapid assaults on Christian communities.
With the proliferation of smartphones and affordable data plans, rural India has seen a digital transformation. Hindu organizations have equipped members with basic smartphones, creating a vast network of digital operatives.
The VHP’s strategy involves WhatsApp groups managed by local directors, facilitating swift mobilization for interventions, especially during funerals. These mobs seek to prevent Christian burials unless families convert to Hinduism, part of a broader pattern of religious intimidation.
Across India, social media fuels anti-Christian violence, with misinformation leading to deadly mob attacks. BJP-ruled states misuse anti-conversion laws to harass and arrest Christians, undermining religious freedom.
As tensions escalate before elections, the Hindu nationalist agenda threatens India’s secularism. Despite international scrutiny, the government dismisses concerns, leaving Christian communities vulnerable to digital persecution.
The weaponization of digital technology by Hindu extremists poses a grave threat to religious minorities, hindering their ability to practice faith freely and safely.