The Global Naga Forum has condemned incidents of Christmas harassment across India, calling them violations of constitutional rights and urging authorities to act decisively.
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DIMAPUR — The Global Naga Forum (GNF) on Sunday condemned incidents of harassment, intimidation and attacks against Christians reported from various parts of the country during this year’s Christmas celebrations.
In a statement, the forum termed the incidents a serious violation of constitutional rights and democratic values.
“Acts such as disrupting church services, vandalising Christmas decorations, and threatening peaceful celebrants, many of them women and children, are a direct assault on the spirit of Christmas and on the conscience of the nation. These actions, reportedly carried out by extremist elements linked to the RSS and Bajrang Dal, are shameful and unacceptable,” the statement read.
The GNF stated that such acts violated Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, and warned that allowing intimidation to go unchecked risked normalising fear and weakening constitutional freedoms.
The condemnation comes a day after the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Nagaland unit of National People’s Party (NPP) raised serious concern over similar incidents reported from different parts of India, including the Northeast.
Related: Nagaland church body, NPP raise concern over attacks on Christians
On Saturday, the NBCC described the persecution of Christians as a growing national concern and warned that continued silence and inaction could threaten the fabric of Indian democracy.
It called for stronger protection of constitutional guarantees, coexistence and religious liberty.
Echoing similar concerns, the NPP urged the Union and state authorities to act decisively against fringe elements disrupting religious celebrations, stressing that no individual or group has the authority to interfere with lawful religious practices.
The party underscored that public confidence depends on visible, timely and impartial administrative action.
The GNF reaffirmed its solidarity with the Christian community and called upon the government and authorities concerned to ensure accountability and safeguard the right of all citizens to celebrate their faith in peace.