Communal conflicts in Madhya Pradesh: Non-Christians not allowed in Christmas celebrations in Red Church, Indore
Say goodbye to communal harmony that was often talked about during festivals in Indore, as Church has closed its doors for non-Christians on Christmas. Red church announced that it will remain inaccessible to all the non-Christians on Christmas this year.
Under the garb of coronavirus, now the community is using it as an excuse to create divisions and distort the idea of communal harmony.
“We will not allow any non-Christian to attend Christmas celebrations this year,” Bishop Chacko told Free Press. He added that this will soon be official announced to Indoreans as well to ensure that no one tries to come to church.
“We will be confining the celebrations and festivities for Christians only, as Christmas is birth of Jesus Christ, meant for Christians to celebrate,” Chacko said.
He added that to process and to enforce the ideology, a pass system is being introduced. “We will allot passes for entry to the church on Christmas day and these passes will only be allotted to Christians,” Chacko said.
He added that Christians should attend the celebrations and they will be invited by coordinating fathers of the church committee.
Christian conflicts with other religions on rise since Oct
The conflict among Christians and Hindus is on the rise in the country.
In late October, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and invited Pope Francis to India, the country with the second-largest Christian population in Asia. Following this, RSS head Mohan Bhagwat’s statement went viral.
He had said, “Rising population and demographic imbalance need to be addressed and population policy is to be redesigned. And that policy should be applicable to all irrespective of caste and creed. Illegal immigration in bordering districts and conversions in [the] northeast have changed the demographics further.”
Anti-conversion bill fueling the conflict
Another reason fueling this conflict is perhaps the law enactment. At least nine Indian states have planned anti-conversion laws, including Chhattisgarh, which, activists say, has emerged as a “new laboratory” for anti-Christian hatred in India.
Despite Opposition from various quarters, the Karnataka cabinet also cleared the controversial Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill 2021, more commonly known as the anti-conversion bill.
The draft bill proposes a maximum punishment of 10 years of imprisonment for forcible conversion of persons from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe communities, minors and women, to another religion.
Major missing for some who attend the festival celebrations at church
Under the garb of coronavirus, now the community is using it as an excuse to create divisions and distort the idea of communal harmony.
“We will not allow any non-Christian to attend Christmas celebrations this year,” Bishop Chacko told Free Press. He added that this will soon be official announced to Indoreans as well to ensure that no one tries to come to church.
“We will be confining the celebrations and festivities for Christians only, as Christmas is birth of Jesus Christ, meant for Christians to celebrate,” Chacko said.
He added that to process and to enforce the ideology, a pass system is being introduced. “We will allot passes for entry to the church on Christmas day and these passes will only be allotted to Christians,” Chacko said.
He added that Christians should attend the celebrations and they will be invited by coordinating fathers of the church committee.
Christian conflicts with other religions on rise since Oct
The conflict among Christians and Hindus is on the rise in the country.
In late October, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and invited Pope Francis to India, the country with the second-largest Christian population in Asia. Following this, RSS head Mohan Bhagwat’s statement went viral.
He had said, “Rising population and demographic imbalance need to be addressed and population policy is to be redesigned. And that policy should be applicable to all irrespective of caste and creed. Illegal immigration in bordering districts and conversions in [the] northeast have changed the demographics further.”
Anti-conversion bill fueling the conflict
Another reason fueling this conflict is perhaps the law enactment. At least nine Indian states have planned anti-conversion laws, including Chhattisgarh, which, activists say, has emerged as a “new laboratory” for anti-Christian hatred in India.
Despite Opposition from various quarters, the Karnataka cabinet also cleared the controversial Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill 2021, more commonly known as the anti-conversion bill.
The draft bill proposes a maximum punishment of 10 years of imprisonment for forcible conversion of persons from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe communities, minors and women, to another religion.
Indoreans have always been celebrating the festival of Christmas with religious harmony and get-together. Many people from different religions often participate in the traditional celebrations at Red Church every year. Hearing about the passes, many of them were upset.
Sharing their memories of celebrating Christmas,
Personal beliefs sync with different religions
Tradition is mostly what we learn as we grow up, but religion is often chosen consciously by people who study them thoroughly.
Accepting more than one religion after her research, CEO at a company Madhuri Sharma follows Christianity and Hinduism.
Sharing her feelings, Madhuri said, “Like most school children, I loved the idea of Santa Claus coming through the chimney on Christmas.” As she grew up, she participated in Christmas celebrations at churches.
“I loved the ambience and celebrations,” Madhuri said. Further, she learned about the faith, which synched with her ideologies.
“I feel any religion is genuinely about humanity and living a disciplined life,” Madhuri said. Taking her interest into account, she studied the religion further and practised some norms, which she likes.
“I bring my daughters— Laranya and Sharanya— to church before we celebrate Christmas at home near our small Christmas tree,” Madhuri said. She explained that celebrations can be enjoyed by everyone and one should be open to religious acceptance.
Understanding that all religions are similar in goal, just different in approach, Bhatia family celebrates all religions. Discussing their ideology, student Anshika Bhatia said, “All the festivals are simply meant to bring us together, so why not celebrate all of them.”
She elaborated that all the festivals are aimed at bringing harmony and peace in the world. Sharing her beliefs, student Kenisha Bhatia said, “All the religions advocate a similar process of attaining liberation, but we might prefer a certain way over the other.”
These families were a few who already missed the traditional gathering at Church last year due to covid-19 and won't qualify for the passes this year either.
Sharing their memories of celebrating Christmas,
Personal beliefs sync with different religions
Tradition is mostly what we learn as we grow up, but religion is often chosen consciously by people who study them thoroughly.
Accepting more than one religion after her research, CEO at a company Madhuri Sharma follows Christianity and Hinduism.
Sharing her feelings, Madhuri said, “Like most school children, I loved the idea of Santa Claus coming through the chimney on Christmas.” As she grew up, she participated in Christmas celebrations at churches.
“I loved the ambience and celebrations,” Madhuri said. Further, she learned about the faith, which synched with her ideologies.
“I feel any religion is genuinely about humanity and living a disciplined life,” Madhuri said. Taking her interest into account, she studied the religion further and practised some norms, which she likes.
“I bring my daughters— Laranya and Sharanya— to church before we celebrate Christmas at home near our small Christmas tree,” Madhuri said. She explained that celebrations can be enjoyed by everyone and one should be open to religious acceptance.
Understanding that all religions are similar in goal, just different in approach, Bhatia family celebrates all religions. Discussing their ideology, student Anshika Bhatia said, “All the festivals are simply meant to bring us together, so why not celebrate all of them.”
She elaborated that all the festivals are aimed at bringing harmony and peace in the world. Sharing her beliefs, student Kenisha Bhatia said, “All the religions advocate a similar process of attaining liberation, but we might prefer a certain way over the other.”
These families were a few who already missed the traditional gathering at Church last year due to covid-19 and won't qualify for the passes this year either.