Rising Anti-Christian Attacks in India During Christmas Season

Rising Tensions for Christians during Christmas Celebrations

Christmas, a time traditionally associated with joy and celebration, has become perilous for some Christian communities worldwide. In Turkey, authorities detained over 100 individuals suspected of planning attacks on this festive occasion. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, a Catholic bishop expressed concern over the increasing frequency of violent incidents targeting Christians during religious festivals, describing them as “customary.”

India, known as the “world’s largest democracy,” is experiencing its own challenges, with over 80 incidents reported by the International Christian Concern (ICC). Many of these incidents are attributed to Hindu extremist groups like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal.

These groups have been linked to disruptions of Christian gatherings, acts of intimidation, and anti-Christmas rhetoric across the nation. In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, nearly 90 individuals vandalized Christmas decorations in a shopping mall, highlighting the tense atmosphere.

Further exacerbating the situation, a coalition of tribal and social organizations in the state has demanded action against what they claim are “illegal conversions.” Anti-conversion laws, meant to prevent coercion, are often criticized for targeting religious minorities. Despite these laws, conversions to Hinduism remain unpunished.

Even Kerala, typically viewed as more accommodating to Christians, witnessed tensions when an RSS supporter reportedly attacked children in a Christmas carol procession, damaging their instruments. The incident was downplayed by Kerala’s BJP state leader C. Krishnakumar, who disparaged the children as a “drunken criminal gang.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has faced criticism for not curbing anti-Christian violence. Modi’s leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths, remains a point of contention.

Prominent TV journalist Rajdeep Sardesai criticized these attacks, stating, “Christmas is a festival of joy celebrated across the world and in India with good cheer. To then target a minority in this country with such impunity exposes the mindset that to me is bigoted and anti-constitutional.”

Sardesai further commented, “Rather than acting sternly against them, their political patrons in power today simply look the other way or worse still seem to endorse this wild behaviour. Make no mistake, these goons are a national and global shame and embarrassment to the idea of this great country as a plural, inclusive society.”

Dolphy D’Souza, spokesperson for the Bombay Catholic Sabha, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that attacks on Christians are not mere law-and-order issues. According to the ICC, he stated, “They strike at the heart of our Constitution — at the freedom of conscience, the right to profess and practice religion, and the right to worship without fear.”