With billion people, the Republic of India is the world’s largest democracy. With a population nearly four times that of the United States. Though the majority of the people are Hindu, (Hindu 80.5%, Muslims 13.4%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.9% , others 1.8% (2001), India is a secular nation with constitutional freedoms of speech and religion and , generally speaking , the government works to protect those freedoms.

The caste system is deeply entrenched in Indian society. Until the middle of the twentieth century, “The Untouchables” were for centuries regarded as the refuse of society. In 1950, their name was changed to “Dalits” and they given a “Scheduled Caste” status. While most upper caste opinions remain the same to this day, the 1950 law guarantees a certain quota of Dalits in specific societal institutions. However, Dalit converts to other religions lose their Scheduled Caste status. Thus denying them basic human rights in many cases.

Christians have often faced oppositions due to the deterioration of freedoms under the influence of militant Hindus at the federal level . Despite the changes in the federal government, however, persecution is far from over. Contrary to the action taken in Tamil Nadu, which was the first of several states to adopt anti-conversion legislation under the BJP, was also the first to repeal that law when the government changed hands. Anti-conversion laws remain in place in seven states (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh), giving support to militant groups and resulting in ongoing violence against Christians.