Wave of Disruptions Hits Christmas Celebrations Across India Amid Rising Tensions. Christian leaders, including Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, expressed concern over the pattern, calling for national unity.

UKJNews reports from India – Dec 24, 2025

In a troubling escalation of religious tensions, Christmas celebrations across India have been targeted in at least eight major locations this holiday season, with incidents ranging from vandalism to outright sabotage. Authorities have reported a mix of intentional disruptions and accidental mishaps, leading to swift arrests in some cases. This comes as communities prepare for midnight masses and festive gatherings, casting a shadow over what is traditionally a time of joy and unity for India's Christian minority.

The disruptions began early in the week and have spread from northern states to southern coastal cities, prompting calls for increased security around churches and public holiday displays. While some perpetrators have been apprehended and punished, others remain at large, fueling debates on communal harmony. Notably, these events draw parallels to a recent incident in Tajikistan, where a young man accidentally toppled a Christmas tree during a joyride, was immediately caught, and ordered to repair it before celebrations could resume—highlighting a stark contrast in outcomes. Here are details of the reported incidents:

1. Delhi: In the national capital, a large Christmas tree in Connaught Place was vandalized overnight on December 22. Unknown assailants spray-painted anti-Christian slogans on the decorations and cut down strings of lights. Police arrested two local youths on suspicion of involvement, charging them with mischief and inciting religious hatred. The duo, aged 19 and 21, claimed it was a "prank gone wrong" but face up to six months in jail if convicted. Repairs were completed by volunteers, allowing festivities to proceed.
2. Mumbai: A church in Bandra, a hub for Mumbai's Christian community, saw its nativity scene disrupted when protesters gathered outside, chanting slogans and blocking entry. The group, allegedly affiliated with a fringe Hindu nationalist outfit, dispersed after police intervention. Three individuals were detained for disturbing the peace but released on bail after apologizing. Unlike the Tajikistan case, where the accidental offender quickly fixed the damage, no repairs were needed here as the protest caused no physical harm.
3. Kolkata: In the eastern metropolis, a public Christmas fair in Park Street was targeted with fireworks thrown into the crowd, causing minor injuries to five people. Authorities traced the act to a group of revelers who claimed it was an accidental misfire during their own celebrations. Two men were arrested immediately and fined heavily; they were compelled to assist in cleaning up the site, echoing the restorative justice seen in the Tajikistan tree incident.
4. Bengaluru: Tech city's Silicon Valley vibe turned sour when a digital Christmas light display in a mall was hacked, displaying derogatory messages instead of holiday greetings. Cybersecurity experts linked it to a local hacker collective. One suspect, a 25-year-old IT professional, was caught within hours and ordered to restore the system before midnight Mass. He complied, avoiding harsher punishment, much like the swift resolution in Tajikistan.
5. Chennai: Along the Marina Beach, a floating Christmas tree installation was deliberately capsized by boaters who rammed it in what witnesses described as a targeted act. Marine police apprehended the culprits—a trio of fishermen upset over "Western influences"—and they were punished with community service, including helping rebuild a similar display for New Year's. This intentional disruption stands in contrast to Tajikistan's accidental case, where the offender repaired the tree voluntarily under orders.
6. Hyderabad: In the historic Charminar area, carol singers were pelted with stones during a street performance, halting the event. Four assailants were identified via CCTV and arrested on charges of assault. They remain in custody pending trial, with no opportunity for immediate restitution, unlike the Tajikistan individual who fixed his mistake before the holiday began.
7. Goa: Known for its vibrant Christmas traditions, a beachside midnight Mass in Panaji was interrupted by a group setting off illegal firecrackers nearby, causing panic. Police rounded up five suspects, who admitted to the act as a protest against "noise pollution from churches." They were fined and required to participate in interfaith dialogues as punishment, a rehabilitative approach somewhat akin to the Tajikistan repair order.
8. Lucknow: In Uttar Pradesh's capital, a community Christmas tree in Hazratganj market was toppled by a vehicle in what initially appeared accidental but was later revealed as deliberate. The driver, caught fleeing the scene, was arrested and forced to fund and oversee the tree's reconstruction overnight. This mirrors the Tajikistan incident closely, where the accidental driver repaired the damage promptly to ensure celebrations continued uninterrupted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the incidents in a statement, urging state governments to enhance patrols around religious sites. "India's diversity is our strength, and any attempt to undermine it will be met with the full force of the law," he said. Christian leaders, including Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, expressed concern over the pattern, calling for national unity. "These acts hurt not just Christians but the fabric of our nation," Couto told reporters.

Investigations are ongoing, with police exploring potential links between the events. In some cases, like Kolkata and Lucknow, the quick arrests and mandated repairs have allowed celebrations to bounce back, reminiscent of the Tajikistan resolution. However, rights groups warn that without addressing underlying communal frictions, such disruptions could escalate.

As India marks Christmas Eve, communities are rallying with increased vigilance, determined not to let these incidents dampen the spirit of the season.