Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi on Thursday, continuing what has been described as an outreach to the Christian community. During the service, Bishop Rt Rev Dr Paul Swarup offered a prayer for the Prime Minister, requesting a “double portion” of wisdom, understanding, and discernment in his leadership.
Expanding Engagement
This event is part of a broader effort by the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to strengthen its relationship with Christians. BJP President JP Nadda also participated in Christmas celebrations organized by the Mao Naga Christian Fellowship Delhi (MNCFD), emphasizing the government’s focus on development in the northeast, a region with a significant Christian population.
Modi has previously engaged with the Christian community by addressing a Christmas celebration organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in 2024, attending an Easter event in 2023, and hosting a Christmas program at his residence the same year.
Political Context and Challenges
The BJP’s outreach efforts have faced challenges, with some within the Christian community expressing distrust due to concerns over the Sangh Parivar’s stance on religious conversion. This has contributed to the enactment of stricter laws regarding conversion in several states since 2014.
Opposition parties have used the Prime Minister’s outreach as an opportunity to highlight incidents of vandalism and harassment targeting Christians. Congress shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) allegedly showing right-wing groups vandalizing Christmas decorations in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Beyond Kerala, Tamil Nadu has the second-highest Christian population, with over 6% of its population identifying as Christian, according to the 2011 census. Christians also hold significant political influence in the northeast, particularly in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, where they constitute a majority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Prime Minister’s visit to the Christmas service?
The Prime Minister’s attendance at the Christmas service is described as part of a continuing effort to engage with the Christian minority community.
What is the BJP’s stated goal in reaching out to Christians?
The BJP aims to strengthen its connection with Christians, as stated in relation to party president JP Nadda’s participation in celebrations and emphasis on development in the northeast.
What concerns have been raised regarding the BJP’s outreach?
A section of the Christian community continues to harbor distrust due to the Sangh Parivar’s antipathy to conversion, which has led to the enactment of stringent laws in several states.
As elections approach in states with significant Christian populations, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it remains to be seen how these outreach efforts will influence voter sentiment and political dynamics.
