By Bijoy A. Sangma
India came dangerously close to witnessing one of the darkest chapters in its modern history. A mass attack against Christians in Chhattisgarh, meticulously planned and openly declared, sent shockwaves through the country, evoking fears of large-scale bloodshed. The horrifying call for violence had been set for March 1, 2025, with extremist groups vowing to storm Christian villages, killing, maiming, and committing unspeakable atrocities. Yet, in a dramatic turn of events, the attack was called off, bringing relief but also leaving the nation with haunting questions about the forces that almost drove it to the brink.
The announcement of the attack’s cancellation came from Shibu Thomas, leader of ‘Persecution Relief’, who, in a video message, confirmed that the planned assault on Vishrampur, Janakpur, and Ganeshpur had been abandoned by the organizers. With a mix of gratitude and reflection, he declared, “The event of March 1st is cancelled by the organizers. Prayer has power. Even though we may be a minority, when heaven is with us, we are automatically a majority.”
While the immediate threat has been averted, the underlying reality remains deeply unsettling. This incident is not merely about one attack that didn’t happen; it is a wake-up call to the growing extremism that threatens the very fabric of India’s pluralistic democracy. How did a call for mass violence go unchecked for so long? Why did the government remain silent? And what does this say about the future of religious freedom in India?
Seeds of Hatred: When Violence Was Sanctioned in Public
The roots of this alarming crisis trace back to January 8, 2025, when a Hindu Religious Parliament convened in Prayagraj. In a chilling speech, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati openly incited violence, urging Hindus to take the law into their own hands. His message was clear and dangerous – those accused of cow slaughter should be killed. In an unapologetic call for bloodshed, he implored 1,000 Hindus to “slay those who slay our mother cow,” dismissing legal processes and advocating for vigilantism.
His words were not left hanging in the air; they found an eager audience. In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Aadesh Soni, another radical voice, took the incitement a step further. He singled out Vishrampur, Janakpur, and Ganeshpur – Christian-majority villages – accusing them of beef consumption and urging his followers to assemble a mob of 50,000 for a large-scale attack on March 1st. Soni brazenly claimed that local authorities were on their side, even suggesting that the BJP-led state government would allow their actions to go unchecked.
The horror of what was being planned was not confined to whispers in closed rooms. These calls for genocide were made publicly, their videos circulating widely on social media. Yet, despite the glaring evidence, no action was taken against these instigators. Instead, the police in Chhattisgarh turned their attention elsewhere – threatening to arrest Arun Pannalal, a Christian leader who had been raising alarms about the impending attack. The state’s response was not one of protection, but of intimidation, signalling a dangerous shift in law enforcement priorities.
The Cry for Intervention: A Plea to the Nation’s Conscience
As the nation held its breath, watching these threats unfold, Christian intellectual and author Vishal Mangalwadi took an extraordinary step. In an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he called upon the government to intervene before it was too late. Reminding Modi of his own recent affirmation of VasudhaivaKutumbakam – the ancient Indian philosophy of universal brotherhood – Mangalwadi urged him to act in accordance with India’s constitutional values. He cited Modi’s decision to ask the Chief Minister of Manipur to resign following the ethnic violence against Christians in the Northeast, questioning why similar action was not being taken to prevent an impending massacre in Chhattisgarh.
The silence of the government, however, remained deafening. As human rights organizations such as Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Genocide Watch, and International Christian Concern (ICC) raised alarm bells, the lack of official response only deepened the sense of insecurity among religious minorities. If the government would not act to uphold the rule of law, who would?
A Constitution at Crossroads: Will India Uphold Its Founding Principles?
The attack that almost happened was not merely an attack on Christians – it was an assault on India’s fundamental constitutional values. The country has long prided itself on its secularism, a democracy where every citizen has the right to practice their faith freely. But as religious extremism gains ground, this identity is under threat.
The Indian Constitution, in Article 25, guarantees the freedom of religion, allowing every individual the right to practice, profess, and propagate their faith. Articles 29 and 30 protect the rights of minorities, ensuring their cultural and educational freedoms. Additionally, Article 51A(e) places a fundamental duty upon every Indian citizen to promote harmony and renounce practices that are derogatory to the dignity of any community. However, when such protections are not enforced, they lose their significance.
The rising tide of hate speech and religious violence cannot be ignored. The law must take its course, and those who incite mass killings must be held accountable. No ideology, no political affiliation, and no religious identity should shield anyone from facing justice.
Beyond the Crisis: A Nation’s Soul on Trial
The cancellation of the attack is undeniably a moment of relief. It showcases the power of collective prayer, advocacy, and international scrutiny. However, relief should not lead to complacency. The fact that such a massacre was not only planned but publicly endorsed by influential figures reveals a much deeper crisis – one that India can no longer afford to ignore.
For centuries, India has thrived as a land of unparalleled religious and cultural diversity. The nation’s ethos is rooted in Sarva Dharma Sambhava (equal respect for all religions) and Ahimsa (non-violence). These ideals are not merely philosophical; they are the bedrock of India’s national identity. But today, these values stand at a crossroads.
Political and religious leaders must rise above partisanship and unequivocally condemn hate speech. Law enforcement agencies must act with integrity, ensuring that extremist elements do not operate with impunity. The judiciary must reaffirm its commitment to the Constitution, guaranteeing that no citizen is denied their fundamental rights. And beyond the corridors of power, India’s people must reject the forces of division and embrace the principles of peace and coexistence.
History is Watching: Will India Choose Unity or Division?
The days leading up to March 1, 2025, will not be easily forgotten. They serve as a grim reminder of how close the nation came to catastrophe. While the crisis was averted, the deeper question remains – will India allow the embers of hatred to smoulder, waiting for another spark? Or will it seize this moment to reaffirm its foundational ideals of justice, equality, and religious freedom?
This is not just about one attack that was called off. It is about the soul of a nation being tested. The world is watching. History is documented. And the conscience of India is on trial. The choice before us is clear: either rise to defend the ideals that make this nation great or risk descending into an abyss of discord and division.
Let this be more than a crisis averted. Let it be a turning point- a moment when India decides that hatred has no sanctuary and that peace remains its proudest inheritance.
(The author is former Executive Director [ILC] of the BMS World Mission, United Kingdom, former National Executive Director [India] of Haggai Institute of Advanced Leadership, and former Asst. Programme Coordinator of North East Region Community Resources Management Project [IFAD-GOI]. He can be reached at bijoy.sangma@gmail.com.)
