Christian tribes in northern India’s state of Manipur are accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government of unfairly labeling them as “illegal immigrants” in order to deport them to neighboring Myanmar. The chief minister of Manipur claimed to have identified thousands of these “illegal immigrants” and initiated deportation proceedings against them.
The Manipur government has faced criticism from homegrown groups, calling out alleged violations of religious freedom in the region. Tensions between the Hindu Meitei tribe and minority Christian tribes like the Kuki have escalated, leading to violence and displacement.
International groups, like the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), have accused the Indian government of persecuting Manipur’s Christian tribes and violating their religious freedoms. Advocates argue that those fleeing from Myanmar should be treated as refugees seeking asylum from religious oppression.
Critics have accused the Modi government of siding with the Hindu Meitei against the Christian tribes. The situation in Manipur has been described as an existential crisis for the Christian tribes, with calls for basic security and justice.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has highlighted deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Manipur, while Indian officials have pushed back against these claims and accused international groups of undermining India’s reputation. The Christian community in Manipur continues to seek justice and peace amid ongoing conflict and persecution.
