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Right-wing outfits disrupt Christmas across the country, alleged religious conversion through events

On December 25, as the world celebrated the joy and warmth of Christmas, right-wing groups like VHP, Bajrang Dal, and Hindu Jagran Manch disrupted events across the country. From forcing a Zomato rider in Indore to remove his Santa costume, to halting celebrations in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Rohtak, Bapunagar and Dehradun

On December 25, the joyful and peaceful celebrations of Christmas were marred by a series of disruptions orchestrated by right-wing outfits like Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Manch, and Hindu Yuva Vahini across India. These groups actively targeted Christmas events, pushing their divisive agenda against religious diversity and tolerance. In Indore, a Zomato delivery boy was forced by members of Hindu Jagran Manch to strip off his Santa Claus costume, sparking widespread outrage.

In Mumbai, Bajrang Dal members disrupted a children’s event, compelling kids to recite the Hanuman Chalisa instead of celebrating Christmas. Similarly, in Lucknow, a group led by ISKCON chanted “Hare Krishna” outside a church during Christmas celebrations, provoking tension. In Rohtak, VHP and Bajrang Dal stormed a Christmas event, accusing organizers of religious conversion, while in Dehradun, Bajrang Dal leaders spread baseless accusations of Christian conversion efforts. Moreover, in Bapunagar, VHP halted a school program, criticizing children’s involvement in Christmas celebrations.

Hindutva group forces Zomato delivery boy to strip Santa attire: Indore

A Zomato rider in Indore was forced by members of the right-wing Hindu Jagran Manch to remove his Santa Claus costume on Christmas Day. The incident, which has since gone viral, shows the rider being questioned by an off-camera individual. The rider, identified as Arjun, explains that Zomato provided the Santa costumes to some delivery agents for the occasion.

The person off-camera criticizes the rider, asking why Zomato does not ask riders to wear costumes representing Hindu festivals, such as Lord Ram’s attire or saffron clothes. Despite the rider’s pleas of ignorance, he is told to remove the costume immediately. The individual insists, “Arjun bhai, we are Hindus. What message are you sending with this Santa costume?” as Hindustan Times reported

The rider’s concerns that his company ID could be blocked are ignored as he is ordered to take off the red jacket and trousers. The video has sparked widespread outrage, with critics questioning the growing intolerance and politicization of festive celebrations.

Bajrang Dal stopped Christmas event and recite “Hanuman Chalisa”: Mumbai

On December 22, in Kashimira, Mumbai, Maharashtra, members of the Bajrang Dal disrupted a Christmas celebration. The incident occurred when the group intervened during a children’s event, forcing the children to recite the Hanuman Chalisa and chant “Jai Shree Ram.” The Bajrang Dal members reportedly criticized the event organizers, accusing them of attempting to make the children pray during a Christmas celebration. They insisted that the children must remain “kattar” (staunch) Hindus and disapproved of any religious activities they viewed as conflicting with their beliefs.

 

The incident has drawn attention to the increasing polarization in some areas of the country, where religious celebrations are continuously targeted by right-wing outfits.

ISKCON people raised “Hare Krishna Hare Ram” during Christmas event: Lucknow

On December 25, a controversial incident unfolded outside St. Joseph Cathedral in Hazratganj, Lucknow, during Christmas celebrations. A group of right-wing individuals, including members of the ISKCON, began reciting “Hare Ram, Hare Krishna” while performing a devotional ‘keertan’ outside the church. A video of the event quickly spread on social media, showing the participants raising chants like “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Shri Krishna.” The group also declared, “We are Sanatanis, we will not say Merry Christmas, but Hare Krishna Hare Ram,”

The incident has ignited a fierce debate online, with supporters of the right-wing group defending their actions as a display of religious pride and an expression of their beliefs. Critics, however, view this act as an unnecessary provocation, arguing that it affects the spirit of communal harmony and disrupts peaceful religious observances.

Right-wing outfits disrupted Christmas celebration, recite Hanuman Chalisa: Rohtak

On December 25, in a Christmas celebration organized at a Dharamshala in Rohtak, Haryana, turned chaotic even before it could start on Wednesday when members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal stormed the venue, alleging that the event was a guise for religious conversion. The protestors climbed onto the stage and began reciting the ‘Hanuman Chalisa,’ disrupting the event. WWE wrestler ‘The Great Khali,’ who had been invited as the chief guest, left the hotel where he was staying and did not attend the event, even as police intervened to disperse the protestors. Authorities also instructed the organizers to call off the event to maintain peace. The VHP and Bajrang Dal activists demanded that Christmas celebrations be confined strictly to churches. As Times of India reported

Mahant Swami Anubhoot Suryavanshi of Bajrang Dal, who led the protest, claimed that while everyone has the right to celebrate their faith, the organizers of the Rohtak event allegedly promised money and healing from illnesses in an attempt to “convert attendees.” However, Rakesh, a person linked to the organizers, refuted the allegations. According to Times of India, he clarified that the event was purely a Christmas celebration, focused on spreading hope and sharing the word of God with those in distress. “We were not converting anyone,” he said.

Bajrang Dal accused Christians of luring Hindus into conversion with money, food, and clothes: Dehradun

On December 24, Vikas Verma, a Bajrang Dal leader, made controversial remarks during a Hanuman Chalisa gathering in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He targeted Christians with baseless accusations, questioning Christmas celebrations at the Clock Tower and labeling families allowing children to wear Santa hats as “already converted.” Verma further claimed that Christians were enticing Hindus into conversion with financial incentives, food, and clothing.

 

He also criticized convent schools and wrongly asserted that Hindus have no rights in Christian-majority countries. His statements stirred tension, promoting religious divisions and spreading misinformation

Vishwa Hindu Parishad halted Christmas celebrations: Bapunagar

In a similar incident, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal intervened during a school program in the Nawa Naroda block of the Bapunagar district, halting the event. They argued that children are embodiments of God, not clowns, and insisted that children should be raised as “Sanatani” (followers of Hinduism) rather than adopting Western influence, symbolized by the term “English.”

The group also raised slogans such as “Bharat ka Dal Bajrang Dal,” advancing their communal agenda and promoting hate against the diversity of festivals.

Related

Christmas under siege: right-wing target Christmas celebrations across states, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala

This was a sad Christmas”, say India’s Christians, navigating the shadows of hatred

Hindutva’s “rice bag converts” controversy

 

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