Christmas celebrations in parts of India were disrupted this year following a series of incidents involving vandalism, arson and clashes, largely affecting Christian institutions and public festivities, according to police reports and civil society groups.
The incidents were reported across several states between 20 and 25 December, with churches, schools, prayer meetings and Christmas decorations among those targeted. In many cases, groups involved claimed they were acting to prevent alleged religious conversions, allegations denied by Christian organisations.
Rights groups say the events come amid a broader rise in attacks on Christians in recent years. The United Christian Forum (UCF), which documents incidents against the community, recorded more than 700 cases nationwide in 2025 up to November, with Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh reporting the highest numbers.
Incidents Before Christmas
In central India’s Chhattisgarh state, violence was reported in Kanker district days before Christmas following a dispute over the burial of a Christian convert. Local media and rights groups said a mob damaged churches and Christian homes in nearby villages. Police said several officers were injured while attempting to control the situation.
The unrest was followed by a call for a statewide shutdown by a coalition of tribal and social organisations, which accused authorities of failing to act against what they described as illegal conversions. Christian groups appealed to the central government to intervene, warning that the bandh could escalate tensions during the holiday period.
Elsewhere, a Christmas prayer meeting in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, was disrupted after activists alleged forced conversions at the event. Organisers denied the claims, saying the gathering included a meal for children with disabilities and had no religious inducement.
In Kerala, police arrested a man linked to a right-wing organisation after a group of minors singing Christmas carols in Palakkad was attacked and their musical instruments damaged. The state’s education minister later said some schools had cancelled Christmas events following pressure from extremist groups.
Christmas Eve and Day
On Christmas Eve, a mob vandalised decorations and a nativity scene at a school in Assam’s Nalbari district. Police said several local leaders associated with Hindu nationalist groups were detained.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, protesters gathered outside a cathedral during Christmas prayers, chanting religious slogans and alleging conversion activities. Police said the situation was monitored and no serious injuries were reported.
Chhattisgarh saw further disruption on 24 December, when a group armed with sticks entered a shopping mall in Raipur during the statewide shutdown, damaging Christmas decorations and questioning shoppers about their religion. Authorities said investigations were under way.
On Christmas Day, similar scenes were reported in Indore, where a group vandalised decorations at a Christmas celebration venue. Police detained several people in connection with the incident.
Reactions
Opposition leaders criticised the incidents, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor saying the attacks had created fear among Christians and warning against the normalisation of religious intimidation.
Internationally, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry expressed concern over reports of violence against religious minorities in India during Christmas, urging Indian authorities to investigate the incidents.
India’s federal government has not issued a consolidated response, though state authorities say cases have been registered and inquiries are ongoing in several locations.