Christmas Chaos: Vandalism and Intolerance Rock India's Festive Season
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India's Christmas celebrations were marred by incidents of vandalism and intolerance, leaving many Christians feeling fearful and anxious. In Chhattisgarh's Raipur, a mall was vandalized by an unidentified group during a day-long shutdown, with Christmas decorations being destroyed and a Christmas tree damaged. In Assam's Nalbari district, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal vandalized Christmas decorations at a school and shops, with four people being arrested in connection with the case. The accused had raised 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans and warned the school authorities not to organize Christmas celebrations on the school premises. In Kerala's Palakkad district, a carol group comprising children was attacked by a man identified as Ashwin Raj, who destroyed their band set and other articles. The incident occurred in an area where the RSS is considered to have a strong presence. In Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, BJP functionary Anju Bhargava faced backlash over a video purportedly showing her in a heated exchange with a visually-impaired woman at a church. The video showed Bhargava shouting at the woman, asking her why she brought along a little girl 'among Christians'. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath appealed to Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers of various states to ensure strict enforcement of law and extend proactive protection to Christian communities across the country. The Archbishop expressed 'deep pain' over the 'disturbing rise in attacks on Christians' and said such incidents deeply wound the spirit of India's Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. The incidents have sparked reactions from the Opposition, with Congress leaders condemning the acts of vandalism and intolerance. The Opposition has called for strict action against those responsible for the incidents and for ensuring the safety and security of Christians in India. The Christmas celebrations in India were meant to be a time of peace, love, and harmony, but the incidents of vandalism and intolerance have marred the festive season. The government and authorities must take immediate action to ensure that Christians can celebrate their faith in peace and security.
