New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram:
The arrest of a Malayalam-speaking Christian priest during a Christmas prayer meeting in Nagpur, Maharashtra, has triggered widespread anger in Kerala and drawn sharp condemnation from political leaders, church bodies, and civil society groups, amid growing concerns over attacks on Christians in India.
Father Sudhir, a native of Amaravila in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district and a pastor of the Church of South India (CSI), was arrested on December 29, 2025, along with his wife Jasmine and several aides. Police said the arrests followed complaints by workers of the Bajrang Dal, alleging forced religious conversion during a Christmas prayer meeting.
Based on the complaints, police registered a case under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly “hurting religious sentiments.” Church leaders and rights groups have rejected the allegations, calling the arrests an infringement of constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
Political Reaction
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the arrests as “deeply disturbing,” warning of a broader pattern of minority targeting.
“This follows a worrying pattern adopted by the Sangh Parivar to fuel polarisation. Such actions undermine constitutional freedoms,” he said in a post on X.
Opposition leaders in Kerala accused authorities of acting under pressure from Hindutva groups and called on the central government to ensure protection for religious minorities.
Spike in Christmas-Week Incidents
The Nagpur arrests come amid a rise in reported attacks and disruptions targeting Christians during Christmas week 2025. Rights groups documented more than 80 incidents nationwide during the festive period, including vandalism, threats, hate speech, and disruptions of church services.
Many incidents were linked to groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which had publicly urged Hindus to boycott Christmas celebrations.
Human-rights organizations estimate over 700 attacks on Christians in 2025, with a sharp escalation during Advent and Christmas.
Reported Incidents
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a mob vandalized Christmas decorations at Margento Shopping Mall on Christmas Eve. Police registered cases against unidentified individuals under rioting and mischief charges.
In Palakkad, Kerala, a group of children taking part in a Christmas carol procession had their musical instruments destroyed by a man allegedly linked to the RSS. BJP leader C. Krishnakumar dismissed the incident, drawing criticism.
Other incidents were reported in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, including attacks on church property, harassment of vendors selling Christmas items, and protests outside cathedrals.
Church and National Response
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) condemned what it called an “alarming rise in attacks on Christians” and urged authorities to uphold constitutional freedoms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Christmas events in Delhi, including a Mass at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, but faced criticism from opposition leaders for not publicly addressing the violence.
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called for strict enforcement of law and order and immediate prosecution of those involved in violence and hate speech.
Outlook
As India enters 2026, rights groups warn that continued vigilante violence threatens the country’s secular framework. Data from the United Christian Forum shows more than 600 attacks on Christians in 2025, while international organizations such as Open Doors have flagged India for rising religious hostility.
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