- Tharoor cites reported attacks on Christians ahead of Christmas
- Flags Palakkad carol group incident, calls it “shocking”
- Urges solidarity and protection of freedom of worship
- Refers to protests and threats reported in UP and Rajasthan
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th Dec: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday flagged reports of alleged attacks on Christians in the days leading up to Christmas, warning that any assault on religious traditions is an attack on the constitutional fabric of the country.
Referring to an incident in Kerala’s Palakkad, Tharoor said a carol-singing group was attacked, calling it “truly shocking”. “When our traditions are attacked, it is not only Christians who are attacked, it is all of us. Every Indian is assaulted,” he said, stressing the need for solidarity with the Christian community and the protection of freedom of worship and belief.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP said he traditionally visits multiple churches on Christmas Eve and attended services at several churches this year, culminating in midnight mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral. He also recounted his visit to St Mary’s Church, where Cardinal Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Church addressed him during the service.
Tharoor said respecting cultural and religious traditions of all communities is central to Kerala’s political culture and public life.
His remarks come amid reports of tensions in several states. In Rajasthan’s Nagaur, the principal of a private school has alleged that a group claiming to be Bajrang Dal members threatened students and staff over Christmas celebrations. In Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, Bajrang Dal members staged a protest outside St Alphonsus Cathedral Church and recited the Hanuman Chalisa, alleging objectionable portrayal of Hindu religion during a church programme.
Without naming the BJP, Tharoor urged the leadership of the party in power at the Centre to condemn such incidents. In a post on X, he drew a parallel from the Mahabharata, calling on leaders to speak out against what he described as injustice.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, where prayers and carols were held, and the Bishop of Delhi offered a special prayer for the Prime Minister.
