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Christian And human rights organizations have expressed concern over the alleged efforts Hindu To disrupt far-right groups Christmas amid a series of celebrations in India Attacks targeting members of minority communities.
Catholic Bishops Conference India It “unequivocally condemned” what it described as an “alarming” increase in attacks targeting Christians in the majority Hindu country.
The organization said it has recorded several incidents of harassment of carol singers, troupes etc. Church meetings.
Human rights organizations also accused Hindu vigilantes of vandalizing churches, vandalizing Christmas decorations and threatening people celebrating Christmas in several places.
Christian watchdog Open Doors said it has documented more than 60 alleged attacks targeting Christians across India during the Christmas period.
A video from Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur shows Anju Bhargava, a local leader of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party, harassing and attacking a visually impaired Christian woman attending a Christmas event.
The video sparked an uproar, with the opposition Congress party calling it an example of “cruelty and insensitivity”.
The outrage led to the Jabalpur chapter of the BJP issuing a notice to Ms Bhargava and seeking an explanation for her actions.
“We have asked Anju Bhargava to clarify her conduct seen in the video,” said local party chief Rakesh Sonkar. “They have been given seven days to submit their response.”
Ms Bhargava denied any wrongdoing, claiming she acted on information from local “activists” who said visually impaired women were being kept against their will in a dilapidated structure near a church.
However, police said no formal complaint has been registered in connection with the incident.
Another video from the eastern state of Odisha reportedly shows a group of Hindu men harassing roadside vendors selling Santa caps. He objected to “Christian goods” being sold in a “Hindu” country.
“How can you do this being a Hindu?” One of them was heard scolding the vendors.
“Quickly wrap up your work and go away from here. If you want to sell anything then sell the goods of Lord Jagannath.”
In the Lajpat Nagar area of national capital Delhi, a group of men allegedly associated with Hindu vigilante group Bajrang Dal were seen in a video harassing women wearing Santa caps. He accused the women of roaming the streets with the intention of converting people to Christianity.
“These troubling events have reinforced the uncertainty and fear of many Christians as they seek to celebrate a peaceful Christmas season,” Open Doors said.
The organization said these incidents included the disruption of Christmas celebrations in Haryana by far-right Hindu groups, which they claimed were being used to entice people to convert to Christianity.
The Catholic Bishops Conference said it has urged Federal Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure strict enforcement of the law and proactive security Christian community, So that Christmas can be celebrated peacefully.
The organization condemned “the worrying increase in attacks on Christians in various states of our country during the Christmas season.”
It was “particularly shocked” by Ms Bhargava’s alleged behavior and called for action against her.
It said, “These targeted incidents, particularly against peaceful carol singers and congregations gathering to pray in churches, seriously undermine the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and the right to live and worship without fear.”
The United Christian Forum said it has recorded more than 600 incidents of alleged attacks against Christians across India this year, including mob attacks, vandalism of homes and disruption of prayers.
Vishwa Hindu ParishadA watchdog group linked to the Hindu far-right ecosystem, which includes the country’s ruling party, urged Hindus not to participate in Christmas celebrations.
General Secretary Surendra Gupta had said in a letter last month that participating in festivals of other religions “may lead to social acceptance of other religions”, adding that the directive was aimed at “culturally awakening” Hindus.
Christians account for about 2.3 percent of India’s population of 1.4 billion, making Christianity the third largest religion after Hinduism and Islam.
Christian groups have repeatedly complained of attacks and harassment by Hindu vigilante groups linked to the BJP, allegations the party has previously rejected.