Political and church leaders condemn attacks on Christmas festivities in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The disruption of a Christmas carol group in Palakkad has ignited a political firestorm and drawn sharp criticism from Church leadership in Kerala. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan has alleged a coordinated nationwide campaign against Christians, while Cardinal Baselios Cleemis expressed deep concern over the disheartening developments.

In a Facebook Live address on Wednesday, Mr Satheesan claimed that instances of the "Sangh Parivar disrupting Christmas celebrations and gatherings" were becoming increasingly common across various states.

"Across the country, Christians are being targeted. Even in Kerala, a carol group was stopped in Palakkad," he stated. Using a sharp metaphor, the Opposition Leader warned that "some who come to our homes with Christmas cake are wolves in sheep’s clothing," insinuating that the same forces ostensibly offering greetings were orchestrating attacks on the community nationwide.

Mr Satheesan also defended the right to distribute Bibles, dismissing assertions that the practice was illegal as unfounded. He pledged to resist what he termed the "Sangh Parivar’s anti-democratic actions across the country".

Adding weight to the condemnation, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, highlighted a troubling contradiction between diplomatic gestures and ground realities.

"On one side, we see Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Church leaders and exchanging Christmas greetings. On the other hand, attacks on Christians engaged in Christmas festivities are being reported from a few places. This is disheartening," the Cardinal observed, emphasising that harmony must be reflected in practice, not just in optics.

The incident has also prompted immediate action from political youth organisations. The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Congress have both issued strong condemnations of the Palakkad incident. The DYFI announced plans to organise 'protest carol programmes' in 2,500 units across Palakkad district, issuing a warning that any attempt by the RSS to block these events would be confronted.

The DYFI also levelled criticism against BJP leader C. Krishnakumar for allegedly supporting the attackers, stating his "communal face" had been exposed and likening him to hardline figures within the right-wing ecosystem.

Simultaneously, the Congress alleged that the violence was a strategic move by the RSS-BJP combine to disrupt communal harmony. The party claimed the attack was an act of retaliation after the BJP failed to secure the electoral support it expected from the Christian community, and demanded the immediate expulsion of those responsible within the BJP leadership.

(Inputs from IANS)