Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make representations to the Indian government on the incidence of attacks on Christian property and families in parts of that country.

India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. The Indian government has a range of policies and programmes to support religious minorities. However, incidents of discrimination against minority communities in India, including Christians, do still occur.

Officials at the British High Commission continue to discuss minority issues, including religious tolerance of Christians, with civil society, the Indian National Commission for Minorities, with Indian ministers and ministries, and with relevant State-level authorities.