More than 60 attacks by Hindu militants on Christians in India during Christmas

Violence and persecution of the Christian community around Christmas in India have increased alarmingly. At least 60 violent incidents have been reported in various states of the country during the Christmas season due to attacks by extremist Hindu groups, according to Christian and human rights organizations.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India said in a statement that during Christmas and the preparations before it, Christian religious services have been disrupted in several states. In some places, carol singing events have been disrupted, and in others, people praying in churches have been attacked. The organization strongly condemned these incidents, calling them a "direct attack on religious freedom."

According to human rights organizations, not only harassment but also incidents of vandalism of churches, destruction of Christmas decorations and threats to people participating in the festival have also occurred in various places. The international human rights organization 'Open Doors' said that it has documented at least 60 attacks on Christians across the country during Christmas.

One of the most talked about incidents took place in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Anju Bhargava, a local leader of the ruling BJP, has been accused of harassing and beating a visually impaired Christian woman who had gone to celebrate Christmas. The video of the incident went viral on social media, triggering a storm of criticism across the country. The opposition Congress party condemned it as “cruel and barbaric behavior.” However, the accused leader denied the allegations. Police said that no formal case has been filed yet.

In separate incidents in Odisha and Delhi, members of extremist Hindu groups were seen harassing people dressed as Santa Claus and intimidating Christmas celebrants. It is alleged that these incidents were organized to spread religious hatred.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has demanded a speedy investigation into these incidents from the Union Home Minister of India and strict action against the culprits. The organization said that such violence is a gross violation of religious freedom guaranteed in the Indian Constitution.

Meanwhile, the United Christian Forum, an organization working for the rights of minority Christians, said that the number of attacks on Christians in India this year has exceeded 600, indicating serious concerns about the safety of religious minorities in the country.

It is worth noting that Christians make up about 2.3 percent of the total population of India, which has a population of about 1.4 billion. The recent incidents have raised new questions about religious tolerance and minority protection in the country.