PM Modi Attends Christmas Service in Delhi as Opposition Raises Concerns Over Attacks on Minorities

New Delhi, December 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attended the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, conveying a message of peace and harmony on the occasion. His visit, however, came amid strong criticism from opposition parties, who raised concerns over alleged attacks on members of the Christian community and other minorities during the festive season. During the service, Prime Minister Modi extended Christmas greetings to the people and said the occasion carried a timeless message of love, compassion, and goodwill. In a brief message, he said the spirit of Christmas should inspire harmony and mutual respect in society. Photographs from the event showed the prime minister participating in prayers alongside members of the Christian community at the church. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda also took part in Christmas celebrations elsewhere in the capital. He attended a programme at a Christian Higher Secondary School in New Delhi organised by the Mao Naga Christian Fellowship Delhi. In a post on social media, Nadda said he felt honoured to be part of the celebrations and recalled the teachings of Jesus Christ, describing the gathering as warm and joyful. Officials pointed out that Prime Minister Modi has, over the years, regularly engaged with the Christian community during major religious occasions. They noted that he attended an Easter programme at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi in 2023. During Christmas the same year, he hosted a celebration at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. In 2024, he attended a Christmas dinner at the residence of minister George Kurian and also participated in a programme organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). Despite these gestures, opposition leaders sharply criticised the BJP-led Union government, alleging a rise in attacks and hate incidents against Christians. Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien referred to a recent incident in Jabalpur, where a BJP leader allegedly assaulted a visually impaired woman over suspicion of religious conversion ahead of Christmas. Questioning the government’s silence, O’Brien said the prime minister’s message of love and compassion rang hollow in the face of such incidents. Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin also voiced concern, stating that attacks by right-wing groups acting in the name of the majority sent a troubling signal to the country. He said it was disturbing to see such incidents occurring even as the prime minister participated in Christmas celebrations. Citing reports, Stalin claimed there had been a significant rise in hate speech against minorities since the BJP came to power at the Centre. CPI(M) MP John Brittas echoed similar concerns, saying there had been no pause in attacks on Christians across the country. He said that while the prime minister attending a church service was symbolically important, a clear and firm statement condemning violence against Christians, their churches, schools, and gatherings would have made a real difference. Brittas further claimed that attacks on Christians had sharply increased over the past decade, alleging that hundreds of incidents had already been reported this year. The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, also condemned the incidents of violence. In a video message, he appealed to the prime minister, Union home minister Amit Shah, and chief ministers of states to ensure strict enforcement of the law and provide proactive protection to Christian communities. He said such acts of hatred went against the spirit of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and the right to worship without fear. As political debate intensified, the day reflected both the symbolic importance of interfaith engagement and the growing concerns raised by opposition leaders and religious bodies over the safety of minority communities. While the government highlighted the prime minister’s participation in Christmas celebrations as a sign of inclusiveness, critics continued to press for stronger action and clear assurances against violence and hate incidents. PM Modi Attends Christmas Service in Delhi as Opposition Raises Concerns Over Attacks on Minorities Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attended the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, sharing a message of love, peace, and harmony on the occasion. Greeting people on Christmas, the prime minister said the service reflected the spirit of compassion and goodwill, and expressed hope that the festival would inspire unity and respect across society. BJP president JP Nadda also took part in Christmas celebrations in the capital. He attended a programme at a Christian Higher Secondary School organised by the Mao Naga Christian Fellowship Delhi and said it was heartening to be part of such a joyful gathering while remembering the teachings of Jesus Christ. Government officials pointed out that PM Modi has regularly participated in Christian community events in recent years. He attended an Easter programme in Delhi in 2023, hosted a Christmas celebration at his residence the same year, and in 2024 took part in a dinner hosted by minister George Kurian and another event organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. However, the prime minister’s visit came amid sharp criticism from opposition parties over alleged attacks on Christians during the festive season. Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien referred to a recent incident in Jabalpur, where a BJP leader allegedly assaulted a visually impaired woman over suspicion of conversion, questioning the government’s silence on such incidents. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin also criticised the situation, saying attacks by right-wing groups in the name of the majority sent a disturbing message to the nation. He cited reports claiming a rise in hate speech against minorities since the BJP came to power. CPI(M) MP John Brittas said attacks on Christians, their churches, schools, and gatherings have continued without pause. He added that a clear statement from the prime minister condemning such violence would have made a strong impact. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath also condemned the attacks and urged the Centre and states to ensure strict law enforcement and protection for Christian communities.