25/12/2025
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25/12/2025
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A group of caste Hindus misbehaved and threatened women and children over wearing Santa Claus hats in New Delhi.
NEW DELHI, Dec 24: A festival cherished by India’s Christian community as a season of joy, peace, and togetherness — a series of disturbing incidents targeting religious observances has been reported across the country. From the harassment of roadside vendors in Odisha to confrontations with carol singers in the national capital and violent attacks in Kerala, these incidents have drawn widespread condemnation on social media and from civil society groups.
Critics have linked the reported surge in such incidents to rising right-wing nationalism and growing concerns over communal intolerance. As police investigations continue and political leaders demand accountability, the developments have reignited debate over religious freedom and interfaith harmony in one of the world’s most diverse democracies, threatening to overshadow what is traditionally a season of celebration.
One widely circulated video over the past two days shows BJP Jabalpur district vice-president Anju Bhargava allegedly mistreating a visually impaired Christian woman. According to reports, Bhargava, accompanied by members of the Hindu Raksha Dal, entered a church and allegedly began misbehaving with those present, accusing them of engaging in religious conversion activities. The incident has sparked outrage online, with calls for action from rights groups and political leaders.
In Odisha, another video that went viral showed a group of men allegedly harassing and intimidating impoverished roadside vendors selling Santa Claus caps. The men were heard declaring the state a “Hindu rashtra” and insisting that “Christian items” should not be sold there. The footage, widely shared on social media platform X, captured the men questioning the vendors about their religious identity and origins, while asserting that Hindus should not sell items associated with Christianity.
Despite the vendors repeatedly stating that they were Hindus from Rajasthan and were only trying to earn a livelihood during the festive season, the men reportedly ordered them to stop selling the items or leave the area, suggesting instead that they sell religious souvenirs associated with Lord Jagannath.
A similar incident was reported a day earlier in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar area, where members of the Bajrang Dal allegedly confronted a group of Christian women and children wearing Santa hats. The group was accused of proselytization and reportedly forced to disperse from a public space. A video of the confrontation quickly gained traction online, showing heated exchanges in which activists objected to the group’s presence, claiming that wearing festive attire and interacting with passersby amounted to an attempt at religious conversion. The women, visibly distressed, were asked to leave the area, triggering widespread criticism online over the targeting of what many described as harmless festive activity in a multicultural city.
Meanwhile, in Kerala’s Palakkad district, police arrested several RSS workers in connection with an attack on a Christmas carol group that included children. The group was reportedly conducting a house-to-house carol programme when they were confronted late on Sunday evening. Eyewitnesses said the assailants challenged the group’s right to perform, with the argument escalating into physical violence. Musical instruments were damaged and several participants were assaulted, though no serious injuries were reported. The police registered cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of unlawful restraint, causing hurt, and disturbing public peace. The incident has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given Kerala’s long-standing reputation for communal harmony.
The reported incidents have prompted strong reactions from opposition parties, civil rights organisations, and church leaders, who have described them as an assault on constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and fraternity.
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal condemned the incidents on X, alleging what he termed the BJP’s “hatred towards Christianity” and accusing the party of fostering an environment in which minorities are targeted in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. He referred to what he described as a pattern of intimidation, including the alleged mistreatment of a visually impaired woman and the attack on a children’s carol group in Kerala. Venugopal criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he called symbolic outreach to Christian communities, arguing that the actions of the BJP and affiliated organisations contradict such gestures and undermine India’s pluralistic fabric.
As Christmas approaches, these incidents have intensified calls for restraint, accountability, and renewed commitment to safeguarding religious freedom and communal harmony, ensuring that all citizens can celebrate their faith without fear or intimidation.
