Shillong: The Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday called for strict action against individuals involved in attempts to disrupt Christmas celebrations in different parts of the country, stating that such actions violate India’s constitutional values and the right to religious freedom.
The statement by Meghalaya BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang comes amid Opposition parties raising concerns over incidents involving Christians ahead of Christmas in states such as Assam, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Kharkrang said Christmas is widely celebrated across India by people of all communities and symbolises love, unity and goodwill.
He criticised efforts to politicise what he described as isolated incidents, saying they do not reflect the country’s broader social fabric.
Several Opposition leaders on December 25 voiced concern over reported attacks on minorities, including an incident in Jabalpur where a BJP leader allegedly assaulted a visually impaired woman over accusations of promoting religious conversion.
Kharkrang said only a small number of individuals were responsible for actions that disturbed the festive atmosphere and strongly condemned such behaviour.
He added that attempts to disrupt Christmas celebrations amounted to an attack on India’s civilisational values.
He further said portraying these incidents as organised political acts was misleading, accusing some Opposition parties of using individual criminal cases for political advantage.
Kharkrang pointed out that the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders regularly participate in Christmas programmes, including in 2025, and said this reflects the party’s commitment to inter-faith harmony.
He challenged Opposition leaders to demonstrate similar engagement by their leadership.
Stressing that the freedom to celebrate festivals is a fundamental right, Kharkrang demanded that those involved in recent incidents be arrested and punished under the strictest provisions of law.
He added that BJP leaders in Meghalaya are coordinating with party units in other states to ensure accountability for those responsible.