Hardline Hindus in India want Christmas banned

Christians in India praying (Photo: Open Doors UK)

Hardline Hindus have petitioned the authorities in India to stop Christians from celebrating Christmas.

In a letter sent to authorities in Gujarat they ask that police take action to halt prayer meetings and Christian events planned for the christmas season, Open Doors says. 

The letter states: "Heartily we are requesting to you, not to give permission to these people to celebrate Christmas.

"If anyone comes to you to get the permission, kindly ask them for on paper Christian Religion certificate.

"If you will not take any action regarding this then Anti-National activity in this area will increase and the responsibility will be yours."

Jan Vermeer, Asia communications director for Open Doors, said the letter was yet another attempt by hardline Hindus to make life "difficult" for Christians in parts of India.

"Over the course of the last several years religious freedom violations and intolerance against Christians has risen dramatically," Vermeer said. 

"Talking about the Christian faith to a wider group than the family is now generally regarded as a form of evangelism.

"Even just revealing one's Christian faith can be regarded as evangelism in the eyes of Hindu radicals."

News
Traitors’ winner Harry Clark heads to Rome in new BBC documentary exploring faith in modern Britain
Traitors’ winner Harry Clark heads to Rome in new BBC documentary exploring faith in modern Britain

BBC Two and iPlayer are set to air a new one-hour documentary this Easter charting The Traitors’ winner Harry Clark’s personal pilgrimage from Slough to the Vatican

Christians welcome NI decision to pull out of puberty blocker trial
Christians welcome NI decision to pull out of puberty blocker trial

Nesbitt initially indicated that the province would join the trial.

EU Parliament condemns expulsion of foreign Christians in Turkey
EU Parliament condemns expulsion of foreign Christians in Turkey

Turkey has said the EU is interfering in its internal affairs.

Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection
Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection

The number of Britons giving something up for Lent has fallen sharply over the past decade, according to new research highlighting a significant shift in how the season is observed.