Extremist Hindu Groups Attack Christmas Celebration Across India

New Delhi, India  — A wave of alleged attacks, harassment, and intimidation targeting Christian communities during Christmas celebrations across several Indian states has triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties strongly criticizing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Narendra Modi-led government.

According to reports from Indian media, incidents involving Hindu extremist groups disrupted Christmas prayers, carol singing, and public festivities in multiple regions, sparking nationwide concern over the safety of religious minorities. The series of events has intensified political tensions, with opposition leaders accusing the government of fostering an environment of hatred against minorities.

Incidents Reported Across States

In Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, members of Hindutva organizations reportedly entered churches and charitable institutions, disrupting prayers and Christmas programs. A widely circulated video shows a BJP district vice-president, Anju Varghav, allegedly behaving aggressively toward a visually impaired woman, drawing widespread outrage.

In Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar market, videos surfaced showing street vendors being forced to remove Santa hats, while women and children were allegedly threatened for wearing Christmas attire. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president and minister Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the incident, calling it “hypocrisy” and remarking that those spreading hatred in India often celebrate Christmas freely abroad through their own families.

In Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, Christian priests were reportedly barred from entering villages. In another incident, a church was allegedly attacked and set on fire after a Christian man buried his father according to religious rites.

Footage aired on television also showed vendors in Odisha being prevented from selling Santa caps, with vigilantes reportedly declaring such items unacceptable in what they called a “Hindu nation.” Similar scenes were reported again in Delhi, where individuals wearing Santa hats—including women and children—were allegedly harassed.

Another viral video from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, showed a Hindu extremist verbally abusing a Christian priest. The individual involved has been described online as a former Bangladeshi atheist who later converted to Hinduism and is now known for inflammatory statements against other religions.

In Haridwar, reports claim that a hotel owned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Corporation canceled Christmas bookings after receiving threats from a local Hindu group, Shri Ganga Sabha.

Opposition Parties React

The opposition Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Aam Aadmi Party strongly condemned the incidents. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said the events exposed the BJP’s “deep hostility” toward Christians. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he alleged that BJP leaders were willing to go to any extent to humiliate minorities, even assaulting a visually impaired woman.

Venugopal cited incidents from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, as well as an alleged attack by RSS workers on a children’s carol group in Palakkad, Kerala. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he accused the government of publicly projecting inclusivity while allowing its party and ideological affiliates to act otherwise. “As a Christmas gift, the BJP is distributing hatred and poison,” he said.

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj echoed similar sentiments, again highlighting what he described as double standards among those opposing Christmas celebrations in India while their families celebrate the festival abroad.

The Trinamool Congress contrasted scenes of communal harmony in Kolkata with reports of violence in BJP-ruled states, stating that celebrating Christmas has effectively become an “offence” in those regions. The party alleged that vigilante groups roam freely, hatred is rewarded, and silence from those in power is “deafening.”

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Catholic Bishops Express Concern

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) issued a statement condemning the incidents as unconstitutional. The body demanded the removal of BJP leader Anju Varghav and urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the safety of the Christian community.

“The targeted attacks—especially against peaceful carol singers and congregations gathered for prayer—severely undermine India’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and the right to live and worship without fear,” the CBCI said.

Responding specifically to the Jabalpur incident, the bishops’ conference described the actions as “inhuman and deplorable” and reiterated its demand for immediate disciplinary action. The CBCI also expressed alarm over reports of hate posters calling for a shutdown against Christians in Chhattisgarh on December 24, warning that such rhetoric could further incite violence.

As calls for accountability grow louder, the incidents have reignited a broader national debate over religious freedom, minority rights, and the role of political leadership in curbing communal tensions in India.