By Web Desk

The increasing intolerance towards Christmas celebrations, amplified by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other Hindutva organisations, which portray the festival as an imported practice that Hindus should avoid in the name of upholding traditions and culture rooted in the country, is nonetheless anti-Constitution and violative of the freedom of religion, constitutional experts have noted.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has urged members of the Hindu community to refrain from celebrating Christmas, linking the appeal to what it describes as cultural awareness and the protection of religion and tradition, while extending the message not only to individuals but also to shopkeepers, shopping malls and educational institutions.

In a letter dated December 13, Surendra Gupta, the VHP’s Indrapastha Province Minister, stated that Hindus should practise their religion with restraint and dignity in the present times, while asserting that organised religious conversions have been occurring across the country for a long period and that participation in festivals of other faiths could contribute to the social acceptance of those religions.

Responding to questions raised by The Wire Hindi, Gupta maintained that the appeal was focused on preventing conversions rather than restricting religious freedom, arguing that Christian missionaries allegedly exploit social tolerance through conversion activities and that the call to avoid Christmas celebrations was intended as a defensive measure.

He further suggested that concerns about polarisation should instead be directed at those engaged in conversion-related activities, while reiterating that public religious practices such as healing services, which Hindutva organisations frequently oppose, form part of this larger dispute.

According to the 2011 census, Christians number around 27.8 million in India, accounting for approximately 2.3% of the population, while Delhi alone has a Christian population exceeding 150,000.

This story was originally published in madhyamamonline.com. Read the full story here.