Over 3,000 Christians Across India Dissociate from Leaders Attending PM Modi's Christmas Lunch

New Delhi: A significant number of Christians from various parts of India, totalling over 3,000, have collectively distanced themselves from Christian leaders who attended a Christmas lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, 2023.

According to a report in The Wire, the signed statement highlights the concerns of the Christian community in India, emphasising that since 2014, they have been targets of repeated attacks and vilification. The statement particularly condemns the discriminatory use of anti-conversion laws implemented by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- ruled states. It draws specific attention to the ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, during which numerous churches were targeted.

Citing a report by The Wire from September last year, which indicated a fourfold increase in attacks against Christians between 2011 and 2022, the statement underscores the alarming rise in violence against the community. A.C. Michael of the United Christian Forum had previously informed The Wire that, in many cases, FIRs were filed against the victims rather than the perpetrators.

The press release issued on January 4 questions the Prime Minister's intentions behind hosting the reception, given the lack of condemnation for attacks on Christians during his tenure. It notes that while praising Jesus Christ and acknowledging the Christian community's contributions, PM Modi did not express remorse or empathy for the challenges Christians face in the country today. 

“While it is certainly within his right as Prime Minister to host a reception for whomsoever he wishes, one naturally would question the intention of this reception when he has not condemned a single attack on the Christians under his Prime Ministership. Interestingly, while he praised Jesus Christ and waxed eloquent about the services of the Christian community, he did not share remorse or empathy for the situation of the Christians in the country today,” the press release said.

“Those invited to the Christmas reception were a select group of Christians. While the invitation was from the Prime Minister, here was an opportunity for them to courteously decline the invite in the light of what has been happening to the Christians in Manipur and elsewhere,” it continues.

The statement further critiques the selectivity of the Christmas reception attendees, suggesting that they had the opportunity to decline the invitation considering the plight of Christians in Manipur and other regions.

“When these Christian representatives spoke at the reception, they were giving a tacit approval to the omission and commission of this government,” the statement reads. “Hence, their acceptance of this invite was not in our name!”