Thiruvananthapuram: Days after multiple incidents of violence were reported across the nation during Christmas, the influential Catholic Church in Kerala Monday published a sharp critique of the BJP government at the centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an editorial published in Malayalam newspaper Deepika, considered to be a mouthpiece of Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, titled ‘Communalism is sky-high, a petition alone won’t be enough’, the Church sharply criticised the Centre. It said the continued silence of the Union government, which should have guarded the Constitution against the idea of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, has led to Sangh Parivar-led nationwide attacks against Christians.
The editorial opined that the attacks against minorities and the silence of the Prime Minister, including regarding attacks on Christians, have been a running theme in 11 years of BJP rule, and that petitions submitted to BJP governments have always been ignored.
It added that Modi’s silence over the issue frightens minorities in the country.
“While Hindu-communal groups vandalised Christmas decorations and unleashed violence in public, the Prime Minister was seen praying inside a church. That was not meant to be shown to the citizens of this country; perhaps it was intended for foreign governments. Otherwise, he would have condemned the attacks or taken a firm stand against them,” it stated.
The criticism comes days after widespread incidents of attacks against Christmas celebrations were reported across the country. Days before Christmas, multiple churches were set on fire, and many Christian houses were destroyed over a dispute regarding the burial of an elderly woman in Chhattisgarh. The family, which had converted to Christianity, was reportedly forced to convert back to Hinduism following this dispute. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Hindu groups targeted prayers and feasts organised by churches, alleging forced conversions. Right-wing groups also targeted vendors selling Santa Claus paraphernalia and Christmas celebrations in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Assam.
Meanwhile, RSS activists were booked by police for attacking a carol group comprising minors in Kerala’s Palakkad.
The article also noted that Christmas celebrations were cancelled by the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh government, a move that was also adopted by the Kerala Lok Bhavan, though it later made attendance optional following backlash. The piece reiterated that giving petitions to BJP governments alone will not resolve the problem, but that matters should be taken to court, as attacks unleashed by communal elements during Christmas violate religious freedom and minority rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Also Read: At Christmas event, Vijay’s TVK signalled to Christian voters—faith & secularism can co-exist
706 incidents of violence this year
The article also assumes significance amid the BJP’s continued attempts to gain support from Christian communities in Kerala, where they form a significant population. While the attempts initially showed some results, the recent Kerala local body poll results showed that the party failed to attract Christian votes this time, and its vote share reduced to 14.76 percent from 16.68 percent in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. With assembly polls slated for early 2026, support of the Christian community is crucial for the party in Kerala, where it has not been able to make a significant electoral impact yet.
Citing the report from the United Christian Forum, the article noted that 834 attacks against Christians were reported in India in 2024 alone, while 706 attacks were reported till November 2025.
“Most attacks are made under the allegation of religious conversion. At the same time, there is no obstacle to Hindutva-driven conversions conducted under the cute nickname ‘ghar wapsi’. Many national-level BJP leaders themselves studied in schools run by these ‘converters’. They were not leaders then. Their religion has not changed,” it read.
The article also said that despite census data showing no increase in the Christian population in India, the term ‘crypto-Christian’ is being used to spread a narrative that there are families who keep a Bible at home without actually converting to the religion, in order to keep alive the idea of an increasing Christian population. It added that there is no term called ‘crypto-Hindus’, though many Christians also keep the Bhagavad Gita at home.
The piece also said that recent statements by RSS leaders in Kolkata suggest that India is already a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and no constitutional amendment is needed for the same, since these statements must be seen in the context of the prevailing situation.
“To face a problem that is growing more deadly every day, secular parties need a timely, strategic plan beyond statements. Minority religious leaders must approach the courts. There must be a national-level legal mechanism to consolidate actions,” it stated.
(Edited by Varnika Dhawan)
Also Read: VHP-Bajrang Dal attacks on Christmas celebrations run counter to Modi’s message of peace
Well, well, well. Finally, they’ve woken up to the Gujarat model. “Tolerance,” “vishwakutumb,” are meant for the image abroad — especially richer nations with a lot of deshbhakts — so’s we can lecture them the same.