While the nation celebrated Christmas 2025 with lights and prayers, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed deep “dismay” over reports of violence and disruptions targeting the Christian community. In a poignant social media address, Tharoor argued that these acts of aggression are not isolated religious disputes but a direct attack on India’s collective cultural identity.
The “Map of Anxiety”: Key Incidents Cited
Tharoor detailed several disturbing reports from across the country that have contributed to an atmosphere of “fear and anxiety” this year:
- The Palakkad Assault: In Kerala’s Pudussery, a traditional Christmas carol group was allegedly attacked by a local worker associated with the BJP. Musical instruments were destroyed, and participants were physically assaulted.
- National Trends: Tharoor pointed to the vandalism of a Santa Claus effigy in a Raipur mall (Chhattisgarh), an assault on a blind Christian girl in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), and disrupted services in Uttar Pradesh.
- The “Knock on the Door”: Quoting Archbishop Netyo, Tharoor noted that the violence previously seen in Manipur is no longer a “distant threat” but is now actively “knocking on Kerala’s doors.”
Church Leaders Speak Out
The Congress MP echoed the concerns raised by senior clergy during Midnight Mass, emphasizing their pain over the state of the nation.
| Leader | Key Concern Raised |
| Archbishop Netyo | Lamented that the community is celebrating amidst “unprecedented level of anxiety.” |
| Cardinal Cleemis | Questioned the “mysterious silence” of authorities while constitutional rights are challenged. |
Tharoor reinforced the Cardinal’s sentiment that the protection of citizens is a legal duty of the state, not a “favour” to be granted.
Unity Over Intolerance
The Thiruvananthapuram MP, who traditionally visits multiple churches on Christmas Eve, stressed that Kerala’s inter-faith harmony—where Christianity has thrived for nearly 2,000 years—is under threat.
“When a carol group is attacked, it is an assault on all of us and the shared culture of Kerala,” Tharoor wrote. He warned that peace cannot survive if the majority remains “silent spectators” to the “bullying of a minority.”
Rejecting any narrative that labels fellow citizens as “aliens,” Tharoor highlighted the community’s immense contributions to education and healthcare across India. He concluded with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”
A Contrast in Optics
Tharoor’s remarks came even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a high-profile visit to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi. While the PM shared a message of “love and peace” following the service, Tharoor and other opposition leaders are calling for more than just symbolic gestures—demanding “accountability” for those who disrupt the peace.