Christmas 2025 Marred by Fear and Intolerance: Shashi Tharoor Sounds Alarm on Rising Violence
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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed deep concern over the festive atmosphere in India this Christmas, citing rising incidents of attacks and disruptions across the country. The Thiruvananthapuram MP took to X to share his thoughts on the matter, stating that Christmas 2025 has been marked by unprecedented levels of anxiety and intolerance. According to Tharoor, while Kerala retained its festive spirit, the overall atmosphere was troubling. He referred to an alleged assault on a Christmas carol group in Pudussery, Kerala's Palakkad district, saying that a supposed BJP worker allegedly beat participants and destroyed musical instruments. Tharoor described the incident as an attack on a secular tradition that had shocked the state. Reports from other states, including the vandalism of a Santa Claus effigy in a Raipur mall, a blind Christian girl assaulted in Jabalpur, and an attempt to disrupt prayers in a church in Uttar Pradesh, further heightened concerns. Tharoor expressed sadness over remarks made by senior church leaders during Christmas services, including Archbishop Netyo's lament that the Christian community in India is celebrating Christmas amidst 'fear and anxiety'. The Congress leader echoed Cardinal Cleemis's words, urging the government to respond and 'break its silence'. He emphasized that the protection of citizens is not a favour but a duty, and that the idea of 'New India' should not be one where communities live in fear while praying. Tharoor stressed the need for unity and vigilance, stating that when a carol group is attacked, it is not just a Christian issue - it is an assault on all of us and the shared culture of Kerala. He called for swift and impartial action by authorities, adding that impunity for mobs emboldens division, while accountability restores trust. In a separate development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, along with a large congregation of Christians from Delhi and north India. Modi expressed his hope that the spirit of Christmas would inspire harmony and goodwill in society. Tharoor's message for society is one of love and unity, quoting Martin Luther King Jr: 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'
