Special Correspondent: In another disturbing reflection of growing religious intolerance and discrimination against minorities in Modi’s India, Christian families from several villages in Kanker district of BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh are being denied access to basic water sources and livelihood opportunities by members of the Hindu community due to their religious beliefs.

According to Kashmir Media Service, an appeal issued by the Progressive Christian Alliance said that Christian families in the Antagarh region, including villages such as Madappa, Bhainsgaon and Burkhapara, have been stopped from using rivers, ponds, taps and hand pumps for several weeks.

The appeal, citing affected families, said these restrictions are being used as pressure tactics to force them to abandon Christianity and participate in so-called “Ghar Wapsi” programmes.

Representatives of the Jila Masih Astha Samaj, a district level Christian community organization, said they had repeatedly approached local authorities regarding the issue. They stated that written complaints were submitted to the district administration and police, while oral appeals for intervention had also been made earlier in April. “Despite repeated complaints, many families continue to face serious hardship,” community representatives said.

The Progressive Christian Alliance said that nearly 26 Christian families have been directly affected by restrictions on water access. It also said that families are facing economic marginalization, including denial of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), exclusion from local employment opportunities, restrictions on collecting forest produce, and threats linked to farming and livelihood activities.

The appeal said that 41 families were denied work under MGNREGA, while 115 families were prevented from participating in Tendu Leaf Procurement — an important seasonal source of income in the region. It added that firewood belonging to four families had been forcibly taken away.

The alliance urged authorities to ensure immediate access to basic rights, including water, livelihood opportunities and legal protection for the affected families, calling on government insitiutions, human rights groups and civil society organisations to intervene urgently.