Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Christmas greetings to the nation, several states across India reported disruptions of Christmas celebrations, vandalism of decorations and protests outside churches in the days leading up to and including December 25. The incidents were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
On December 25, Prime Minister Modi wished citizens “hope, warmth and a renewed commitment to kindness” and shared a video of himself attending a Christmas service at a church. However, reports from multiple regions described confrontations involving individuals and groups associated with Hindutva organizations, with police intervention in some cases.
Madhya Pradesh: Jabalpur Incident
One of the most widely reported incidents occurred in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where a BJP leader and others disrupted a Christmas-related luncheon a few days before Christmas. The Jabalpur city BJP vice-president, Anju Bhargava, was seen in videos verbally abusing attendees from a blind school and physically heckling a visually impaired woman for attending a church event.
Following public backlash on social media, the BJP issued a show-cause notice to Bhargava.
Chhattisgarh: Bandh and Violence
In Chhattisgarh, Hindutva groups had called for a state-wide bandh on December 24, citing alleged illegal religious conversions. The bandh followed communal clashes in Bade Tewada village of Kanker district earlier this month.
In Raipur, a group chanting “Jai Sri Ram” entered Magneto Mall on Christmas Eve and vandalised property after alleging that the mall had not supported the bandh. Police registered a complaint against more than 40 unidentified individuals based on video evidence circulating on social media.
Abha Gupta, marketing head of the mall, told the media that 50 to 100 people entered the closed premises carrying sticks and hockey sticks and questioned staff members about their religion and caste.
In Kanker district, more than 30 people allegedly attacked homes of families who had converted to Christianity several years ago. According to residents interviewed by television channels, the affected tribal families said they had adopted Christianity voluntarily.
Uttar Pradesh: Protests Outside Churches
In Bareilly, members allegedly linked to Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad gathered outside St. Alphonsus Cathedral Church on December 24 and recited the Hanuman Chalisa. Police were deployed at the site. The groups later submitted a memorandum to the police alleging that church activities during Christmas were intended to defame Hinduism.
On December 25, Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest outside the Kotwali police station in Bareilly, demanding that a case be registered against the church.
In Ghaziabad, a video circulated online showing a group chanting “Jai Sri Ram” near worshippers praying at St. Thomas Orthodox Maha Idavaka Church. Fact-checkers later confirmed the incident took place in Ghaziabad and not in Delhi, as initially claimed on social media.
Assam: Decorations Vandalised
In Assam, Christmas decorations at St. Mary’s School in Panigaon were vandalised on December 24. Videos showed installations being destroyed and set on fire while slogans were raised. In a separate incident in Nalbari, individuals were seen removing Christmas decorations from shops and burning them.Nalbari SSP Bibekananda Das confirmed that four people were arrested in connection with the vandalism and said they were affiliated with Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad.
Kerala: Attack on Carolers
In Palakkad, Kerala, a group of Christmas carolers was allegedly attacked on December 21. According to police, one person, identified as Ashwin Raj, was arrested after a case was registered.
Gujarat: Mall Installation Removed
In Ahmedabad, alleged members of Hindutva outfits entered Palladium Mall on December 27 and dismantled Christmas installations. Mall authorities said staff members were threatened during the incident.
Rajasthan and Uttarakhand:
Events Restricted
In Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district, the additional district education officer issued a directive asking private schools not to ask students to wear Santa Claus costumes. The directive followed a letter from an organisation named Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch. State authorities later clarified that the decision was taken at the local level without instructions from the education minister or education directorate. In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, a Christmas programme scheduled at a hotel run by the Uttar Pradesh tourism department was cancelled following objections raised by Hindutva groups.
Police Response
Police action was reported in several cases, including arrests in Assam and registration of cases in Chhattisgarh and Kerala. Authorities said investigations were ongoing in other incidents.
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