By Rohan Gunaratna
Introduction
Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for celebrating Christmas at Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi.[1] As head of government, PM Modi has sent a clear message to the Hindu fanatics! Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist extremism is as bad as Jewish, Christian and Muslim extremism.
Religious exclusivism, extremism, violence and terrorism is a global threat. Governments should develop the legal framework and capabilities to act against extremists irrespective of their faith. To restore social cohesion, extremists should either be punished or rehabilitated. In a country, when any minority community drifts towards exclusivism and extremism, it is a threat. But when a majority community drifts towards extremism, the threat is severe!
The Context
As much as I was delighted to watch PM Modi in a beautiful Cathedral on Christmas Day, I was heartbroken to see what the Hindu fanatics did to Christians on the day Jesus was born.
“Violence against Christians in India, in one form or another, has now become commonplace throughout the year; it does not have to wait for Christmas. This year, over 100 Christians—without having committed any crime—will spend Christmas in jail across different States of India. In 2025, more than 700 cases of violence against Christians had been recorded by November, according to the United Christian Forum. These are merely numbers. They do not convey the cruelty or brutality inflicted on each of these Christians by mobs affiliated with Hindutva organisations. In most cases, the police stand with the attackers.”[2]
Every such incident should be investigated and the perpetrators, ideologues, supporters and advocates should be brought to justice.
I urge PM Modi and the relevant ministers and officials to take decisive action against religious fanatics irrespective of faith.
“In a church in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, a leader of the BJP is seen assaulting a visually impaired woman and threatening her. The occasion is a Christmas feast organised for visually impaired children. The leader, Anju Bhargava, district vice president of the BJP, alleges that forced conversions are taking place. The manner in which a police officer presents himself without restraining the BJP leader is worth observing. The woman hurls abuses, attacks the visually impaired woman, and then walks away unimpeded. The children who attended the feast state that nothing at all was said about conversion; they were simply given a Christmas meal. But even this is unacceptable to the BJP.”[3]
Such incidents call for immediate investigation and punishment. “In Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, men allegedly linked to the Bajrang Dal are seen harassing women and children wearing Santa caps on the street. They accuse them of roaming around to convert people. In the video, one can see how deeply shaken the women are by the confrontation. In another video, a man with a tilak on his forehead enters a church and issues threats. In most such cases, the police stand by as mute spectators.”[4] If this is true, India should build harmony centres in every city, town and village to educate its citizens that there is no hierarchy in faith. Educating the leaders is key as they set the tone for the citizenry.
Most Hindus are moderate. In the true spirit of Hinduism, most Hindus wished Christians Merry Christmas! Some celebrated Christmas in their shrines. What is important is for all the Hindu politicians to wish Christians and Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist politicians to wish the members of the other denominations.
The golden rule of all religions says do not do to others what you do not want done unto you. Also known as the golden law, it states, “I give that you might give”! Ancient Egyptian goddess Ma’at, appears in the story of “The Eloquent Peasant”, which dates to the Middle Kingdom (c. 2040–1650 BCE): “Now this is the command: Do to the doer to make him do.” This proverb embodies the do ut des principle. A Late Period (c. 664–323 BCE) papyrus contains an early negative affirmation of the Golden Rule: “That which you hate to be done to you, do not do to another.”
Conclusion
It is imperative to note that the religious conflicts are isolated but not systemic. However, such isolated incidents can fuel individuals to turn into mobs and gangs that unleash violence on innocent people. Just this week an Indian daily, carried the story of a Sikh lady donating her land to a mosque.
All religions are good and great, as long as they are not exploited to hurt and harm others. The religous space is a precious treasure that should be guarded. A nation is judged by the way it treats its minority communities.
[1] PM celebrates Christmas at Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi https://share.google/zWqS8F2x565iZq3lG
[2] https://frontline.thehindu.com/social-issues/christmas-under-siege-antichristian-violence-india/article70432780.ece/amp
[3] https://frontline.thehindu.com/social-issues/christmas-under-siege-antichristian-violence-india/article70432780.ece/amp/
[4] https://frontline.thehindu.com/social-issues/christmas-under-siege-antichristian-violence-india/article70432780.ece/amp