Christians, in particular, have faced disturbing patterns of attacks, vandalism of churches, and arrests of pastors on allegations of forced conversion. The United Christian Forum (UCF) recorded 814 incidents of violence against Christians in 2024. This year alone has seen 706 incidents. Other organisations, like Open Doors, reported an even higher figure-over 2,900 incidents from January to November 2025.

This Christmas, it was deeply troubling to accept the fact that celebrations of joy, peace, harmony, carols, twinkling lights, decorations, cribs, and Santa caps on streets were treated as crimes of forced conversion, triggering miscreants from certain organisations to mount attacks. This reflects a disturbing trend of hatred against Christians.

Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, like last year, visited churches on the occasion of Christmas, met Christian leaders, and extended greetings on social media. While this is an appreciative gesture, such symbolic acts lose all meaning when juxtaposed against his silence on the escalating attacks. What good are platitudes when the fundamental right to celebrate one's faith without fear remains elusive? It would have been more meaningful to spare a minute to condemn the attacks and urge organisations to stop creating ruckus and an atmosphere of disharmony. This deafening silence not only erodes trust in the government and its promise of sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, but also conveys a dangerous message of tacit acceptance.

We all know-and the Prime Minister knows-who the perpetrators are and the political ideologies they are associated with. Take the case in Jabalpur, where a BJP city vice president assaulted a visually impaired woman and used unacceptable, derogatory language against her. To my knowledge, no party leader has publicly condemned her actions. Does silence imply tacit endorsement? Or is condemning such affiliates seen as politically inconvenient? Refraining from unequivocal condemnation, avoiding stern action, and indirectly endorsing such behaviour only emboldens antisocial elements by granting them power and immunity.

What we see today is the visible outcome of prolonged silence by the authorities on recurring attacks on churches. Assam, once a relatively harmonious state, has now witnessed communally charged individuals entering private premises and vandalising cribs and decorations. Were these mere decorations within private property forcefully converting non-Christians? Christian leaders from the Northeast and elsewhere, affiliated with the ruling party, have largely refrained from speaking out. And what about the lakhs of non-Christians educated in Christian institutions across the country?

Though the perpetrators in the Nalbari incident have been arrested, this would be meaningless if they are not punished according to law and if authorities fail to ensure the security of Christians living there. I believe that a large number of non-Christians, including Hindus, do not support such hooliganism in the name of protecting religion. The first step in combating such disharmony is to condemn it, show solidarity, and deny space to antisocial elements. We must live in an atmosphere of goodwill, peace, and brotherhood.

The attacks on Christians in India have also been reported by the international media. The hypocrisy becomes evident globally. France's laïcité laws prohibit public religious symbols, yet authorities in Paris allowed a grand Ganesha procession, embracing Hindu traditions. If Western nations can accommodate diversity, why has India grown intolerant toward Christianity? Meanwhile, large Hindu communities in the West publicly celebrate Hindu festivals. What message do these attacks send to them-that their homeland rejects the inclusivity they experience abroad?

While a few journalists and concerned citizens have highlighted these issues, their efforts are appreciated. What was shocking, however, was a Christian panelist on a national news show indirectly justifying the attacks by calling them inevitable friction caused by "some crazy people, some nuts in a country of 1.47 billion people." We must remember that even a single assault on any citizen strikes at the nation's unity.

Quoting the Bible literally and out of context to claim that Christians forcibly intend to convert others-as done by some panellists in national news debates-is a naïve yet dangerous argument. Scriptures are laden with deep theological meanings and are not meant to be read verbatim. Labelling Christmas celebrations or wearing a Santa cap as "soft conversion," as stated by the VHP Secretary, mocks others' faith by portraying it as fragile. Why assume people are so easily swayed? If ruling party leaders or those in authority accept such narratives propagated by certain individuals or organisations, it is alarming-not just for one community but for all Indians-as it threatens the constitutional promise of equality.

Dialogue may be a way forward, but how can dialogue occur with those who have closed themselves off and are filled with hatred toward their counterparts?

Today, Christmas has transcended its religious boundaries and is celebrated globally. For Christians, it holds deep theological significance-the birth of hope, the Prince of Peace amid adversity. We do not mind if others overlook this significance. We are, in fact, delighted when people of other faiths join us sincerely in celebration, wear Santa caps, hang stars, or erect Christmas trees.

When attacked, we seek not sympathy but solidarity to defeat hatred. Mere wishes no longer suffice in an atmosphere of persecution. We need voices to denounce these immoral and unacceptable assaults unequivocally. We need voices louder than hatred-voices that condemn and reclaim the harmony that defines us. This would be the greatest Christmas gift not only for Christians but for the soul of our nation.

A community that constitutes merely 2.3% of the population is not a threat to the majority; rather, it is an integral part of this country. Christians have contributed immensely to nation-building through service without bragging and through prayers for the well-being of the nation's leaders and people of all faiths, in families and churches every Sunday.

Julius Tudu is an advocate, human rights activist, and scholar at Vidyajyoti Institute of Religious Studies, Delhi.