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As Christmas approaches, the safety of Christians around the world becomes a pressing concern. Recent events highlight this vulnerability, with over 100 alleged ISIS affiliates detained in Turkey for purported plans to target holiday festivities. Similarly, in Nigeria, a Catholic bishop has pointed out that violent acts during Christian celebrations are becoming alarmingly “customary.”
India, often referred to as the “world’s largest democracy,” is facing its own challenges. International Christian Concern (ICC) has documented over 80 incidents of hostility towards Christians, many involving Hindu extremist factions like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal, the militant faction of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
These incidents encompass disruptions of Christian gatherings, intimidation, and anti-Christmas rhetoric. In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, nearly 90 individuals were involved in defacing Christmas decorations at a local shopping center.
In addition, a coalition of tribal and social groups in Chhattisgarh has called for action against what they describe as “illegal conversions.”
Several Indian states have enacted “anti-conversion” laws, designed to prevent conversions through force or coercion. However, these laws are frequently used to target Christians and other minorities while conversions to Hinduism face no penalties.
In Kerala, typically seen as more accommodating to Christians, a group of children participating in a Christmas carol procession were attacked by an alleged RSS supporter, resulting in the destruction of their musical instruments.
The News Minute reported this incident, which was downplayed by Kerala’s BJP leader C. Krishnakumar, who labeled the children as a “drunken criminal gang.”
The BJP, associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has faced criticism for not adequately addressing anti-Christian violence. Modi has also been scrutinized for his role during the 2002 Gujarat riots, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths.
Renowned TV journalist Rajdeep Sardesai condemned the widespread attacks on Christians, stating, “Christmas is a festival of joy celebrated across the world and in India with good cheer. To then target a minority in this country with such impunity exposes the mindset that to me is bigoted and anti-constitutional.”
Sardesai further remarked, “Rather than acting sternly against them, their political patrons in power today simply look the other way or worse still seem to endorse this wild behaviour. Make no mistake, these goons are a national and global shame and embarrassment to the idea of this great country as a plural, inclusive society.”
Dolphy D’Souza, spokesperson for the Bombay Catholic Sabha, emphasized the gravity of these attacks, as reported by ICC, saying, “Attacks (on Christians) are not isolated law-and-order issues. They strike at the heart of our Constitution — at the freedom of conscience, the right to profess and practice religion, and the right to worship without fear.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
