Chhattisgarh BJP Leader Threatens to Demolish Church, Cites Alleged Illegal Encroachment

Anshu Tuteja has issued an ultimatum to the church management and local authorities, demanding the removal of the religious structure within three days.

Chhattisgarh: BJP Leader Anshu Tuteja Sparks Controversy Over Church Demolition Threat

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anshu Tuteja intensified tensions in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district by launching a campaign against a local church, accusing it of being illegally built on encroached land. Tuteja raided the church on December 29, alleging not only unauthorized construction but also involvement in religious conversions. The incident gained widespread attention on January 3 after a video of the confrontation surfaced on social media.

Ultimatum and Threats
In the viral video, Tuteja is seen issuing a stern ultimatum to the church management and local authorities, demanding the removal of the structure within three days. He warned that failure to comply would result in him personally leading a team to demolish the church.

The local Christian community in Raigarh has voiced concerns over the threats. Church representatives firmly denied the accusations, stating that the church is a legitimate place of worship serving the local community and that no illegal activities take place on its premises.

Pattern of Targeted Actions
This is not the first instance of Tuteja targeting Christian properties. On December 8, he reportedly disrupted a prayer meeting at a Christian household in Raigarh, harassing attendees and accusing them of mass religious conversions. On December 30, a similar incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol area, where BJP leader and panchayat member Durgesh Tiwari, accompanied by police, raided a Christian gathering. The pastor was accused of conversions, and threats were made to expel villagers who chose to leave Hinduism.

Rising Violence Against Christians
India has witnessed a sharp rise in violence against the Christian community. By the end of October 2024, the United Christian Forum (UCF) helpline recorded 673 incidents of hate crimes targeting Christians. The UCF’s **“Violence Monitor Report 2024”** highlights an alarming increase in far-right Hindu organizations targeting Christian communities through raids and other violent acts.

Key statistics from the report:

January 2024: 69 incidents
February 2024: 64 incidents
March 2024: 68 incidents
September 2024: 96 incidents

The highest number of reported hate crimes occurred in Uttar Pradesh (182 incidents), followed by Chhattisgarh (139 incidents). Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Haryana have also shown a worrying rise in such cases.

Urgent Appeals for Intervention
Amid the escalating violence, over 420 Christian leaders and 30 church organizations have appealed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate action to protect minority communities and uphold religious freedom in the country.

The rise in hate crimes against Christians underscores the pressing need for effective measures to address religious intolerance and safeguard the rights of all citizens.