Mass attacks and harassment of Christians during Christmas have been recorded across India

Numerous incidents of harassment and attacks on Christians were reported across India over Christmas. International Christian Concern (ICC), an international Christian organization, reported more than 80 incidents, some of them violent, in what it called «the world’s largest democracy.»

According to Christian Today, most of the incidents involved Hindu extremists affiliated with groups such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bajrang Dal, the militant wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Disruption of Christian events, intimidation, attacks and anti-Christmas demonstrations have been witnessed across the country.

Among the specific incidents, vandalism of Christmas decorations by a group of nearly 90 men at a mall in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, stands out. In the same state, an umbrella association of tribal and community organizations has demanded action against what it calls «illegal conversions.»

Many Indian states have «anti-conversion» laws, which in theory are designed to protect people from forced conversion, blackmail or bribery. In practice, however, these laws are often used to persecute Christians and other minorities, and to prevent people from converting from Hinduism. Yet, as the ICC notes, no one has ever been punished for converting someone to Hinduism.

Even in Kerala, a state generally considered more Christian-friendly, an alleged RSS supporter attacked a group of children participating in a Christmas carol procession, destroying their musical instruments. The attack was denied by local BJP unit leader K. Krishnakumar, who accused the children of being a «drunken criminal gang».

The BJP party, led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is closely allied with the RSS. Modi has been criticized for failing to prevent the persecution of Christians and for his actions as chief minister of Gujarat in 2002, when deadly communal violence left more than 1,000 people dead.

Television journalist Rajdeep Sardesai strongly condemned the attacks on Christians across the country. «Christmas is a festival of joy celebrated all over the world and in India with good cheer. Attacks on a minority in this country with such impunity expose a mindset that I believe is bigoted and unconstitutional,» he said. Sardesai added that instead of acting sternly against the extremists, their political patrons in power «simply look the other way or worse, seem to approve of this savage behavior,» calling the hooligans a «national and global disgrace» to the idea of India as a pluralistic, inclusive society.

Bombay Catholic Sabha spokesperson, Dolfi D’Souza, also noted that these attacks are not isolated law and order problems. According to him, they «strike at the very heart of our Constitution — freedom of conscience, the right to profess and practice religion, and the right to worship without fear.»

Recall, earlier we reported that the United States of America has launched a series of heavy airstrikes on the positions of the terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) in northwestern Nigeria. The operation, ordered by US President Donald Trump, was in response to mass attacks and killings of civilians, including Christians, by the terrorists. The strikes were coordinated with the Nigerian authorities and, according to preliminary data from the US military, resulted in the elimination of several militants.