Behind the optics of interfaith harmony, multiple incidents across several states revealed simmering tensions around Christmas celebrations.
Reports have been published on attacks on churches, schools, and public spaces.
The mood this Christmas was anything but cherry. Official assurances, denials, arrests and calls for accountability generally dulled the festive spirit.
In Assam’s Nalbari town, a group reportedly identified as Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad activists barged into a diocesan school and allegedly damaged Christmas decorations.
Reports surfaced that they also targeted a shop selling festive items. Ornaments such as Santa caps and masks were destroyed.
This episode was part of a wider pattern of Christmas-related disruptions reported over the past week from states including Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The Nalbari Senior Superintendent of Police, Bibekananda Das, told media outlets that a complaint had been received from the authorities of St. Mary’s English School, Panigaon.
According to Fr. James Vadakeyil of the Diocese of Bongaigaon, under which the school functions, the premises were empty at the time because the school was closed for winter holidays.
He said the group arrived at the institution looking for the principal, who was not present.
Further, he alleged that the group vandalised the nativity crib and other Christmas decorations. They reportedly destroyed a large admission banner, dismantled and burned the decorations, and shouted slogans.
According to reports, videos of the incident were reported showing the group raising Bajrang Dal slogans along with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra”.
Later, four people had been arrested on charges including criminal trespass, causing mischief by injury or fire, and criminal intimidation.
On the same day, in Raipur, a mob armed with sticks entered the Magneto Mall and vandalised Christmas decorations.
A mall employee revealed that around 80 to 90 people trooped in causing damages in a large scale. Police said an FIR had been registered, but no arrests had been made so far.
Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, BJP’s Jabalpur district vice-president Anju Bhargava was accused of manhandling a visually impaired woman at a church in the Katanga area on Saturday.
She alleged that children were being converted to Christianity. Police did not file an FIR. The Jabalpur BJP unit issued Bhargava a show-cause notice. Mahanagar president Rakesh Sonkar said she had seven days to explain her conduct. The woman said celebrating Christmas did not mean she had changed her religion.
Jabalpur saw another incident on Sunday morning. A prayer service at a church in the Madhotal area was disrupted by members of a right-wing organisation. Members of the Hindu Seva Parishad said they had information about an unusually large gathering, including people from other districts. They claimed they were questioning possible conversion activities when violence erupted.
Those present said 15 to 20 men forcibly entered the church during prayers, chanted “Jai Shri Ram” and caused panic. Police said several youths were detained for creating a disturbance and that the sequence of events was being established based on testimonies from both sides.
In Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, the education department barred schools from forcing children to dress as Santa Claus on Christmas.
From Delhi, a video surfaced showing a group of women wearing Santa Claus caps being heckled in Lajpat Nagar, allegedly by Bajrang Dal members. The video was said to show the men accusing the women of religious proselytisation and forcing them to leave.
Against this backdrop, Christmas morning in the national capital saw the bells of the Cathedral Church of Redemption ring with messages of love, compassion and peace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports highlighted, visited the church and stood in prayer with members of the Christian community. The image was described as symbolising a country of many diversities that promises safety and nurture to every faith.
The general sentiment is that the unruly incidents are part of a larger pattern of intimidation.
The idea of conversion and loosely worded anti-conversion laws in several states were said to be used to target the Christian minority. The actions by vandals were also described as undermining the letter and spirit of the Constitution, including guarantees of freedom of faith and equal citizenship.
The government might deliver a strong message saying that the spirit of Christmas should inspire communal harmony. But the gulf between the message and the intimidation on the ground is too stark to be ignored.
Also Read: “Let there be CHRISTMAS…”! https://www.vibesofindia.com/let-there-be-christmas/
