Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a message against spreading disharmony and violence in society at a Christmas gathering hosted by the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCI) in New Delhi, reports emerged of intimidation and vandalism targeting Christmas celebrations in two districts of Kerala.
While two incidents occurred in Palakkad involving the workers of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), one incident of alleged intimidation involving a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was reported from Alappuzha. State leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had been wooing the Christian community, have condemned the incidents stating that they are isolated and should not be encouraged.
On Monday, December 23, a Christmas crib set up at the Government Boys School in Thathamangalam was found vandalised by unidentified persons. Chittoor police registered a case based on the complaint of the school authorities, however, the culprits are yet to be identified. A VHP leader alleged that it was the handiwork of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) workers.
On December 20, three leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had barged into the Government Upper Primary School at Nallepilly in Chittoor to disrupt Christmas celebrations. They questioned the teachers on why the school does not celebrate Sree Krishna Jayanti. They also objected to teachers wearing Santa Claus attire, according to reports.
Chittoor police arrested three VHP leaders identified as Anilkumar, Susasanan and K Velayudan on Saturday. Speaking to TNM, BJP’s Palakkad district president KM Haridas said none of them were connected to BJP.
Raveendran, secretary of Palakkad Vibhag of VHP, while speaking to TNM, acknowledged that the three are VHP workers but said the December 20 incident was misreported. “The CPI(M) and Congress along with SDPI changed the narrative. We are not against Christmas celebrations. Our workers questioned the school teachers about the decision to make children stand outside in the scorching sun as part of the celebration. They asked the teachers whether they would do the same for Sree Krishna Jayanthi or Nabi Dinam (Milad-i-Sharif). The news circulating now is misleading and not completely accurate," he added.
On December 23, another video surfaced in which an RSS worker identified as Ratheesh Kumar, a karyavahak in Karthikapalli, objected to a group of people who were delivering a Christmas related message. No complaint was filed regarding the incident.
Reacting to these incidents and Modi’s visit to the CBCI, Yuhanon Meletius, Metropolitan bishop of the Thrissur diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church wrote on Facebook that, while in one place bishops are being honoured and the Christmas crib is revered, here the crib is vandalised. He also added, that there is a saying in Malayalam for this kind of approach.
BJP state president K Surendran, speaking to media after meeting Thamarassery bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil in Kozhikode condemned the incidents in Palakkad. “I strongly condemn this. This should not be encouraged in any way. Strong action should be taken against them,” he said.
V Muraleedharan, BJP leader and former Union minister described them as isolated incidents. "I am sure that the BJP would not engage in such things. Our stance is clear and is reflected in the Prime Minister's participation in the CBCI’s celebration,” he said.