Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has raised serious concerns over what he described as a growing atmosphere of “fear and anxiety” surrounding Christmas celebrations in parts of India in 2025, warning that recent incidents of vandalism and disruption are not merely attacks on one religious community but strikes at the country’s shared cultural and secular fabric.

In a strongly worded, two-part post on social media platform X, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said that while Kerala largely retained its festive spirit, the broader national environment during Christmas was deeply troubling. According to Tharoor, the days leading up to the festival were marked by reports of intimidation, violence and vandalism directed at Christians in several states, contributing to what he called an “unprecedented level of anxiety”.

“It’s dismaying that Christmas 2025 has been marked by fear and uncertainty, driven by specific local incidents and a rising national trend of intolerance,” Tharoor wrote, stressing that the implications of such incidents go far beyond the Christian community.

Incidents cited across states

Tharoor pointed to a series of alleged incidents from different parts of the country that, taken together, suggest a worrying pattern. One of the most prominent was an alleged assault on a Christmas carol group in Pudussery, in Kerala’s Palakkad district. According to Tharoor, members of the group were attacked, their musical instruments damaged and celebrations disrupted. He described the incident as an attack on a secular and inclusive tradition that has long been part of Kerala’s social life.

The anxiety in Kerala, Tharoor said, was heightened by reports from other states as well. These included the vandalism of a Santa Claus effigy in a shopping mall in Raipur, Chhattisgarh; the alleged assault of a blind Christian girl in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; and an attempt to disrupt prayers at a church in Uttar Pradesh. While the details of each incident vary and investigations may still be ongoing, Tharoor argued that their cumulative effect has been to create a climate of insecurity among Christians during one of their most important festivals.

“These are not isolated or trivial acts,” Tharoor suggested. “They reflect a deeper malaise that threatens the idea of India as a plural, tolerant society.”

Voices of concern from church leaders

The Congress MP said he was particularly saddened by remarks made by senior church leaders during Christmas services, which reflected the depth of concern within the community. He referred to comments by Archbishop Netyo during Midnight Mass, in which the Archbishop reportedly lamented that Christians in India were celebrating Christmas amid “fear and anxiety”.

Tharoor noted that the Archbishop warned that the kind of violence witnessed in Manipur and parts of north India was no longer distant from Kerala but was “knocking on its doors”. Such remarks, Tharoor said, should serve as a wake-up call for both society and the state.

He also cited Cardinal Cleemis, who expressed anguish over what he described as the “mysterious silence” of authorities in the face of such incidents. The Cardinal reportedly questioned why the constitutional right to practise one’s faith was being challenged so openly and with apparent impunity.

“These are not political figures speaking for partisan gain,” Tharoor said in effect. “They are spiritual leaders voicing genuine fear and anguish on behalf of their congregations.”

‘Protection is a duty, not a favour’

Tharoor urged the government to respond decisively and break what he called its silence. Echoing the words attributed to Cardinal Cleemis, he said that the protection of citizens is not a favour to be dispensed at will but a fundamental duty of the state.

He warned against a vision of “New India” in which communities feel unsafe while praying or celebrating their festivals. Such a scenario, he argued, would represent a profound betrayal of the Constitution and the values on which the republic was founded.

“When a carol group is attacked, it is not just a Christian issue,” Tharoor wrote. “It is an assault on all of us and on the shared culture of Kerala.” He added that peace and harmony cannot survive if the majority chooses to remain silent spectators while a minority is bullied or intimidated.

Kerala’s shared heritage

Emphasising Kerala’s long history of inter-faith harmony, Tharoor reminded readers that Christianity in the state dates back nearly two millennia and has been central to its social and cultural development. From education and healthcare to social reform and charity, the Christian community has played a vital role in shaping modern Kerala.

An attack on a Christmas carol group, Tharoor argued, is therefore not an attack on an “outsider” or a marginal community, but on a shared heritage that belongs to all Keralites, regardless of faith. “Impunity for mobs emboldens division; accountability restores trust,” he said, calling for swift, impartial and transparent action by authorities against those responsible for any acts of violence or vandalism.

Rejecting narratives of division

Tharoor also rejected narratives that portray fellow citizens as “enemies” or “aliens” based on religion. He pointed to the Christian community’s contributions across India, particularly in education, healthcare and social service, as evidence of its deep integration into the national fabric.

Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Tharoor wrote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” He said this message was especially relevant at a time when fear and mistrust risk corroding social bonds.

Prime Minister’s Christmas visit

Tharoor’s remarks came on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi. The service was attended by a large congregation of Christians from Delhi and north India and included prayers, carols and hymns, as well as a special prayer for the Prime Minister offered by the Bishop of Delhi, Rt Rev Dr Paul Swarup.

In a post on X, Modi said the service reflected the timeless message of love, peace and compassion and expressed hope that the spirit of Christmas would inspire harmony and goodwill in society.

A broader warning

While acknowledging such gestures, Tharoor’s broader warning was that symbolic acts alone are not enough. What is required, he suggested, is consistent action to uphold the rule of law, protect constitutional rights and ensure that no community feels targeted or unsafe.

By framing the issue as one that concerns all Indians, not just Christians, Tharoor sought to underline a larger point: that the erosion of tolerance in any one instance weakens the foundations of pluralism for everyone. In his view, safeguarding the right of every citizen to celebrate, worship and live without fear is essential to preserving India’s democratic and cultural ethos.