Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) and Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) have condemned the series of attacks on the Christian community reported across India during the Christmas season.
NPCC through its communications department described the incidents as “shameful and deeply disturbing” and claimed that they were a direct consequence of a “hate-filled atmosphere” under the BJP-led central government.
The Congress party highlighted reports of churches vandalised, Christmas decorations destroyed, worship disrupted, and abusive language used against worshippers, including women and children.
NPCC said that the alleged attack on St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon village, Nalbari district, Assam, on Christmas Eve by activists reportedly associated with Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal reflected “dangerous radicalisation.”
NPCC held the BJP and Centre responsible for emboldening fringe elements through “politics of division, selective outrage, and systematic targeting of minorities” claiming that their inaction sends a message of impunity for hate crimes.
Reaffirming India as a secular nation governed by the Constitution, NPCC said the Congress party would resist attempts to divide the nation on religious lines. Therefore, NPCC has demanded immediate and impartial investigations into all incidents; strict legal action against perpetrators and involved organisations and clear accountability from Union and concerned state governments.
NPCC expressed solidarity with the Christian community and all minorities in their struggle for dignity, safety, and justice.
NJCF: Strongly condemning the “disturbing incidents” reported from various parts of the country during the recent Christmas season, the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) said such incidents, occurring during a time meant for peace, goodwill, and harmony, were deeply regrettable and raised serious concerns.
In a press release, NJCF president Rev. Dr. N. Paphino and secretary Rev. Moses Murry reminded that Christmas was s a sacred occasion for millions of Christians across India and was observed peacefully within the constitutional framework.
The forum said that any disruption of religious observances or actions that created fear among communities undermined not only the sanctity of the festival but also India’s core values of unity, tolerance, and mutual respect.
NJCF expressed concern that such incidents point to an atmosphere of growing intolerance, which stood in direct contradiction to the Constitution of India that guaranteed freedom of religion, belief, and peaceful assembly. The forum asserted that selective interference in religious gatherings, if left unaddressed, risked eroding public confidence in the rule of law.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and interfaith harmony, NJCF stressed that safeguarding constitutional rights was a fundamental responsibility of the State. it added that any lapse whether through action or inaction must be addressed promptly and transparently.
Therefore, NJCF has urged the Central and responsible State authorities to act decisively by conducting impartial inquiries, fixing accountability, and ensure that such incidents were not repeated.
EX-PAN: Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has strongly condemned the recent attacks and violence against Christians and churches across India during the Christmas season.
In a press release, Ex-PAN president Joshua Sumi and general secretary Tarie Zeliang described the widespread harassment and assaults on Christians as “unacceptable and unfathomable” in the world’s largest democratic secular nation.
The association noted that while intolerance towards Christians was not new, the scale of incidents during this festive period was unprecedented, tarnishing India’s global image.
Ex-PAN urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India to take immediate steps to end religious intolerance nationwide.
The association stressed that it was Centre’s duty to protect the rights and lives of every citizen, regardless of religion. Ex-Pan also underscored that secularism enshrined in the Constitution must be practised in letter and spirit.