The recent assault on a Christmas carol group in Palakkad has stirred strong political responses and apprehension from Church authorities. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan has raised concerns about what he perceives as a growing trend of attacks on Christians nationwide. Satheesan highlighted instances of the Sangh Parivar disrupting Christmas events in various states, including the incident in Palakkad.
In a Facebook Live session, Satheesan expressed dismay over the interruptions faced by Christians during their festive celebrations. He criticized the actions of certain groups, likening them to “wolves in sheep’s clothing” infiltrating homes under the guise of goodwill. Satheesan vehemently opposed what he labeled as the Sangh Parivar’s undemocratic behavior targeting Christians across the country.
Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, also voiced his distress over the situation. Cleemis pointed out a contradiction between public displays of harmony, such as Christmas greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the reported attacks on Christians during their festivities. He emphasized the importance of translating gestures of unity into tangible actions on the ground.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Congress have strongly condemned the Palakkad incident. The DYFI has announced plans for protest carol programs in 2,500 units across the district, warning of resistance if the RSS attempts to obstruct these events. The Congress has accused the RSS-BJP alliance of disrupting communal peace and suggested that the attack was a retaliatory measure following the BJP’s electoral setbacks within the Christian community. The party has demanded the expulsion of those involved in the violence, while also criticizing BJP leader C. Krishnakumar for allegedly supporting the assault.
