Several Christian groups have strongly condemned the Delhi police for imposing restrictions on the Palm Sunday procession over the weekend, calling it yet another example of increasing hostility towards the Christian community in the country.
Voicing concern over the growing intolerance, Tura MP Saleng A Sangma of the Congress Party said, “Persecution of Christians has been happening every now and then in the country. These are areas where we have to look at seriously.”
Christian organisations termed the police action as unjustified and disrespectful to religious freedom, especially on a day of major spiritual significance for Christians.
Sangma, highlighting a disturbing trend, said that in 2025 alone, 65 cases of Christian persecution were reported in January, 65 in February, and 76 in March – taking the total to approximately 196 incidents till April.
“Our country is beautiful, but the whole diversity is being destroyed. We should come together and not allow such behaviours and acts,” Sangma said, warning that such incidents are chipping away at the secular fabric of the nation.
He further slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, alleging that its policies and silence on such matters are emboldening fringe groups. “The BJP is destroying the whole country,” the MP stated, calling on citizens and lawmakers to speak up against the rising tide of religious intolerance. The BJP is also the ruling party in Delhi.
