An open call has allegedly been issued by Hindu leaders to kill and rape Christians in the central Indian state
of Chhattisgarh on March 1 because they eat cows, considered sacred among Hindus.¹
The open call to violence has raised serious concerns about the impunity with which Christians are being targeted in the country.
Several individuals and churches have written letters to Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi as well as to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Vishnudeo Sai calling for immediate intervention to prevent an attack on Christians in Chhattisgarh. The PM and CM belong to the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The call for the massacre was issued through social media by a local Hindutva leader and social media influencer and a Hindu religious head last month. Their speeches were triggered apparently by the beef-eating habits of Christians.
This call to violence against Christians was highlighted by Arun Pannalal, head of Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, through a YouTube video. When this video became viral, a police complaint was registered against Pannalal for causing communal tensions. Little action has been taken against those who issued the anti-Christian threats.
The local Hindutva leader, Adesh Soni, called for attacks on Christians in March who live in the villages of Bishrampur, Ganeshpur, and Jhanakpur in Chhattisgarh and allegedly eat cows.²
Soni called for the public humiliation, stripping, raping, and killing of Christian men, women, and children. He claimed to have the support of authorities and posted a photo of himself with Chhattisgarh CM.
Soni called on all self-proclaimed cow defenders to mobilize at least 50,000 people for the attack planned on March 1.
Hindu religious leader Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati declared that Hindus must “kill all Christians, and none should be spared. Saraswati called on Hindus to rise and “slay those who slay our mother cow.” Do not wait for the law to act, he added.
“Aadesh Soni is supported by bloodthirsty right-wing groups, and the group he represents also has the backing of figures like Saraswati,” Pannalal told the media.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has written to the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, expressing “deep concern” over the hate speech.
The letter, signed by NBCC General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, highlighted fears sparked by a hate speech delivered by Aadesh Soni during the “Religious Parliament.”
In another letter, an appeal has been made to Federal Minister of State of Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar by Alka Manoj to intervene in this issue, stating that such an attack would destroy the peace of Christian families in Chhattisgarh and the peace and harmony within the country.
Manoj is the BJP’s Telangana vice president for Minority Morcha, a wing that investigates the welfare of minority communities like Christians and Muslims.
An open letter has also been written by world-renowned Christian social reformer Vishal Mangalwadi to Modi by referring to the latter’s visit to the United States last week.
“Honourable Modiji, Thank you for affirming “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) during the White House Press Conference last week and for asking your party’s Chief Minister in Manipur to resign for the massacre of Christians,”
Mangalwadi stated. “In light of these positive steps, may I please urge you to intervene in Chhattisgarh where large-scale anti-Christian violence is being planned for March 1, 2025. These threats of massacre cannot be ignored because the gang that burnt alive Graham Staines and his two sons in Honourable President Smt. Murmu’s (President of India) former constituency, Mayurbhanj, also claimed to be cow defenders. Requesting you to prevent this planned genocide, respectfully yours.”
His open letter has been copied to several top leaders of India and U.S. President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Christian organizations and churches are planning simultaneous peaceful protests throughout India. — International Christian Concern
¹Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism due to religious, historical, and cultural reasons. Here are the key reasons:
- Spiritual Significance: In Hinduism, the cow is associated with divinity and motherly qualities. It is often referred to as “Gau Mata” (Mother Cow), symbolizing nurturing, selflessness, and non-violence.
The cow is linked to several Hindu deities: Krishna, one of the most revered gods, is often depicted as a cowherd (Govinda, Gopala). Shiva’s bull, Nandi, is both his mount (vahana) and devoted companion. Kamadhenu, the divine cow, is believed to grant wishes and is considered the mother of all cattle.
- Scriptural References: Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas, Puranas, and Dharmashastras, emphasize the sacredness of the cow. The Rigveda (one of the oldest Hindu texts) describes cows as symbols of wealth, purity, and auspiciousness. The Manusmriti (an ancient legal text) advises against harming cows, as they provide milk and other essential resources.
- Economic and Practical Importance: In ancient agrarian societies, cows were essential for dairy products, plowing fields, and producing dung for fuel and fertilizer. Even today, cow dung and urine are used in fertilizers, medicines (Ayurveda), and religious rituals.
- Ahimsa (Non-Violence): Hinduism emphasizes ahimsa, or non-violence, as a core principle. Since cows are gentle and provide nourishment without harm, protecting them aligns with this principle.
- Legal and Cultural Protections: Many Indian states have laws protecting cows, and cow slaughter is banned in several regions. The reverence for cows influences cultural and political discussions in India. — ChatGPT
²Another Christian leader has accused Arun Pannalal of stirring up controversy for fundraising purposes and that the letter by Adesh Soni is a fake. Tragically, if this is true, these controversies, spurred on by social media, take on a life of their own and can lead to violence.
