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Catholic Bishops Decry Christmas-Season Attacks on Christians, Seek BJP Action as Protests Grow

Church leaders urge visible government action to protect worshippers during a festive season marred by harassment videos, arrests, and bandh calls.

Overview

  • Citing an “alarming” rise in targeted incidents, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India demanded the BJP dismiss Jabalpur city vice-president Anju Bhargava and asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure protection for Christian communities.
  • A viral Jabalpur video shows Bhargava confronting a visually impaired woman at a church event over conversion claims; a police officer quoted in reports said there was no evidence of forced conversion.
  • In Kerala’s Palakkad, RSS worker Aswin (Ashwin) Raj was arrested after an alleged attack on a children’s carol group and booked under KAAPA and other sections, as DYFI announced district-wide ‘protest carols’ across 2,500 units.
  • The bishops and multiple reports flagged hate-filled digital posters in Chhattisgarh calling for a December 24 bandh against Christians, warning such messaging could incite further violence.
  • New disruptions were reported in Assam, where Bajrang Dal members vandalised Christmas decorations at a Nalbari school, while opposition leaders including K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan accused Sangh-linked groups of enabling a nationwide pattern of harassment.