A series of coordinated attacks and protests against Christian communities have marred Christmas celebrations across multiple Indian states in December 2024, revealing a widespread pattern of religious intimidation.
In Kerala’s Palakkad district, the situation at Government Upper Primary School in Nallepilly escalated when VHP and Bajrang Dal activists, including Vadakkumthara K Anilkumar, Manamkuzhi Sushasanan, and Thekkumuri Velayudhan, disrupted Christmas celebrations. The activists’ aggressive behaviour prompted police intervention, leading to arrests under BNS sections 329(3), 296(b), 351(2), and 132. School PTA president K Muraleedharan condemned the incident, stating that “such an incident should not have happened at a school in Kerala.”
At Lucknow’s historic Hazratganj Cathedral, as per media reports, a large crowd disrupted Christmas prayers attended by approximately 1,000 people, chanting “Hare Krishna Hare Ram” while declaring “We are Sanatanis, we will not say Merry Christmas.”
Protests in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer saw VHP district secretary Lalu Singh Sodha leading demonstrations against missionary schools. Sodha argued, “Despite the schools here having 98% Hindu students, festivals such as Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Diwali, Holi and Raksha Bandhan are not observed.” The protests extended to Jodhpur, where Bajrang Dal activists burned Christmas event posters at Siwanchi Gate school.
The wave of violence has been particularly severe in Odisha, where multiple incidents have been documented. In Gabardhanpur village, Balasore district, members of New Life Church faced violent opposition while celebrating Christmas at Gobinda Singh’s residence. Badal Kumar Panda, who identified himself as Block President of Devsena, was recorded saying: “I came here because these people are converting our people to their religion. We have been working tirelessly, turning our blood into water to preserve our religion, and these people are converting them. They are destroying our society.”
Bishop Pallab Lima reported a string of attacks across Odisha, including the alleged lynching of Sudipta Palta in Gajapati District (FIR No. 104/2024), vandalism of a church and assault on pastors in Jajpur District (FIR No. 355/2024), and threats against Christian families in Kanjamjodi village, Rayagada District. Near Bhubaneswar, a mob reportedly coerced Mr Debendra Basak to abandon his Christian faith.
Responding to the nationwide incidents, Rev. Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of Evangelical Fellowship of India, stated to Christian Today: “While we remain steadfast in faith and peace, the systematic attacks on Christmas celebrations across India cannot be ignored. The community needs immediate protection and concrete action from authorities, not just sympathetic words. Religious freedom is our constitutional right - it must be defended with the full force of law.”
In Uttarakhand, Bajrang Dal leader Vikas Verma made inflammatory remarks at a Hanuman Chalisa gathering, claiming Hindu families allowing children to wear Santa hats were “already converted.” Gujarat witnessed VHP members forcing a Bapunagar kindergarten to remove Christmas decorations, while in Mumbai’s Kashimira slums, Hindutva workers compelled children to renounce Christmas celebrations and recite the Hanuman Chalisa.
The pattern of disruption continued across states. In Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Hindu Yuva Vahini members blocked church entry during Sunday prayers, alleging religious conversions. Haryana saw the disruption of a Christmas event featuring former WWE wrestler The Great Khali, where extremist groups took over the stage and forced attendees to leave. In Mathura, VHP president Kanhaiya Agarwal denounced the practice of dressing Laddu Gopal idols in Christmas attire as an assault on Sanatan Dharma.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, the violence extended to commercial workers when Hindu Jagran Manch activists attacked a Zomato delivery person dressed as Santa Claus, subsequently releasing threatening videos targeting other delivery workers.
Meanwhile in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, fresh violence erupted in Sinam Kom village, eastern Imphal, during Christmas celebrations, adding another chapter to the region’s 19-month-long conflict.
At the national level, Prime Minister Modi participated in Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in Kerala, even as FIRs accumulated across multiple states. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for enhanced security measures at places of worship and expedited investigation of registered cases.
