{"id":6739,"date":"2025-12-29T15:56:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T10:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6739"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:09:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T10:39:54","slug":"fringe-festive-violence-christmas-attacks-threaten-indias-global-standing-r-bharati","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6739","title":{"rendered":"Fringe Festive Violence: Christmas Attacks Threaten India&#8217;s Global Standing &#8211; R. Bharati"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ds-message _63c77b1\">\n<div class=\"ds-markdown\">\n<h2 class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Rising Extremism Tarnishes India&#8217;s Legacy of Tolerance, Sparks Global Concern<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>by <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ms. R. Bharati<\/span> &#8211; Special Correspondent from New Delhi | <em>Award-Winning Journalist &amp; Documentary Filmmaker.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><b>New Delhi <\/b>\u2014 A wave of orchestrated violence and intimidation targeting Christmas celebrations across India has drawn severe condemnation, casting a dark shadow over the nation\u2019s pluralistic ethos and threatening its standing on the world stage. Analysts warn that the actions of Hindutva extremist elements are not only fracturing communal harmony at home but also risking severe economic and diplomatic repercussions abroad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The incidents, involving attacks on churches, disruption of religious services, and vandalism in markets and malls, represent a stark betrayal of India\u2019s civilizational values of tolerance and coexistence. These acts, perpetrated by fringe groups, have ignited a fierce debate about social responsibility and the urgent need for governmental accountability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>The Price of Hatred: India&#8217;s Global Image at Stake<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The most significant fallout, observers note, is the damage to India\u2019s international reputation. As these incidents gain global media attention, they fuel perceptions of instability and intolerance, directly impacting the lives of the Indian diaspora.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;The wrongdoing is committed by these hateful elements, but the punishment is suffered by responsible and industrious Hindus,&#8221; noted R. Bharati, an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. &#8220;In European countries and Muslim-majority nations, Indians increasingly face suspicion and hostility.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The concern is particularly acute for Indian professionals, students, and businesspeople overseas. There is a growing fear that continued domestic unrest fueled by extremism could lead to tightened visa scrutiny, weakened trade relations, and a devaluation of India&#8217;s soft power. As Bharati warns, &#8220;If Prime Minister Modi and the government fail to impose strict control over such hate-mongering elements in time, the day may not be far when Indian citizens are turned back at immigration counters at foreign airports.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6741\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6741\" style=\"width: 899px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6741\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/stock-attack-on-christians.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"899\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/stock-attack-on-christians.jpg 899w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/stock-attack-on-christians-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/stock-attack-on-christians-768x449.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6741\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beyond Condemnation: Christmas Extremism Sparks Fear for India\u2019s Economy and Diaspora<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>A Cowardly Crusade: Fringe Actions vs. National Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Critics have highlighted the glaring hypocrisy and cowardice of the perpetrators. These extremists, often with no stake in the global community they jeopardize, target vulnerable communities while ignoring the practices of India&#8217;s own leadership.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;Ironically, the children of many Hindu ministers in the country are studying abroad and openly celebrate Christmas. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has visited churches on Christmas,&#8221; Bharati pointed out. &#8220;Would these so-called patriots ever dare to go to the homes of such leaders and question them? Absolutely not, because they neither possess the courage nor the stature to do so.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Their &#8220;bravery,&#8221; as described by commentators, is confined to narrow lanes and mob settings, a far cry from the airports and international hotels that symbolize the global India they inadvertently undermine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>A Call for Decisive Action to Safeguard the Republic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The recurring violence has sparked a forceful demand for concrete legal and administrative action. The onus is now squarely on the government to demonstrate that the rule of law is supreme and that minority rights are non-negotiable in a secular democracy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The broader Hindu community, which forms the bedrock of India&#8217;s societal and economic fabric, is being forced to bear the brunt of consequences crafted by a reckless few. &#8220;These hate-driven fringe elements will remain unaffected, as they have nothing to lose. But millions of hardworking citizens of this country have everything at stake,&#8221; Bharati emphasized.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The consensus among civil society and thought leaders is clear: protecting India\u2019s image, economy, and social harmony is not merely important\u2014it is essential. The time has come for unambiguous laws and their stringent enforcement to curb the forces of hatred, ensuring that the nation&#8217;s future is not held hostage by the violent whims of extremist hooligans. The world is watching.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ds-theme\">\n<h2 class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Key Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;The wrongdoing is committed by these hateful elements, but the punishment is suffered by responsible and industrious Hindus.&#8221; &#8211; R. Bharati<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;If the government fails to impose strict control&#8230; the day may not be far when Indian citizens are turned back at foreign airports.&#8221; &#8211; R. Bharati<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;Their so-called &#8216;bravery&#8217; is limited to narrow lanes and neighborhood crowds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0cb5\u0cc7\u0cb7\u0ca6 \u0c88 \u0c95\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0caf\u0cc6\u0caf\u0ca8\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0cc1 \u0cae\u0cbe\u0ca1\u0cc1\u0cb5\u0cb5\u0cb0\u0cc1 \u0cb9\u0cc0\u0ca8\u0cc8\u0c95\u0ccd\u0caf\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc1, \u0c86\u0ca6\u0cb0\u0cc6 \u0cb6\u0cbf\u0c95\u0ccd\u0cb7\u0cc6\u0caf\u0ca8\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0cc1 \u0c85\u0ca8\u0cc1\u0cad\u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb8\u0cc1\u0cb5\u0cb5\u0cb0\u0cc1 \u0c9c\u0cb5\u0cbe\u0cac\u0ccd\u0ca6\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0caf\u0cc1\u0ca4 \u0cb9\u0cbe\u0c97\u0cc2 \u0c95\u0cb7\u0ccd\u0c9f\u0c9f\u0ccd\u0c9f\u0cc1 \u0ca6\u0cc1\u0ca1\u0cbf\u0caf\u0cc1\u0cb5 \u0cb9\u0cbf\u0c82\u0ca6\u0cc2\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc1.&#8221; &#8211; \u0c86\u0cb0\u0ccd. \u0cad\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ca4\u0cbf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;\u0cb8\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0c95\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0cb5\u0cc1 \u0c95\u0c9f\u0ccd\u0c9f\u0cc1\u0ca8\u0cbf\u0c9f\u0ccd\u0c9f\u0cbe\u0ca6 \u0ca8\u0cbf\u0caf\u0c82\u0ca4\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0ca3\u0cb5\u0ca8\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0cc1 \u0c9c\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cca\u0cb3\u0cbf\u0cb8\u0ca6\u0cbf\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca6\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0cbf&#8230; \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0ca6\u0cc7\u0cb6\u0cbf \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cae\u0cbe\u0ca8 \u0ca8\u0cbf\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0ca6\u0cbe\u0ca3\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0cbf \u0cad\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ca4\u0cc0\u0caf \u0ca8\u0cbe\u0c97\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0c95\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cc6 \u0caa\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cb5\u0cc7\u0cb6 \u0ca8\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0cbe\u0c95\u0cb0\u0ca3\u0cc6 \u0cb8\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cc1\u0cb5 \u0ca6\u0cbf\u0ca8 \u0ca6\u0cc2\u0cb0\u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2.&#8221; &#8211; \u0c86\u0cb0\u0ccd. \u0cad\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ca4\u0cbf<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">&#8220;\u0c85\u0cb5\u0cb0 \u0c88 &#8216;\u0ca7\u0cc8\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0caf&#8217; \u0c95\u0cc7\u0cb5\u0cb2 \u0c95\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0ca6\u0cbe\u0ca6 \u0c97\u0cb2\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc1 \u0cae\u0ca4\u0ccd\u0ca4\u0cc1 \u0c85\u0ca1\u0ccd\u0ca1\u0caa\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0ca6\u0cc7\u0cb6\u0ca6 \u0c97\u0cc1\u0c82\u0caa\u0cc1\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cc6 \u0cae\u0cbe\u0ca4\u0ccd\u0cb0 \u0cb8\u0cc0\u0cae\u0cbf\u0ca4.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ds-flex _0a3d93b\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_6739\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"6739\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rising Extremism Tarnishes India&#8217;s Legacy of Tolerance, Sparks Global Concern by Ms. R. Bharati &#8211; Special Correspondent from New Delhi | Award-Winning Journalist &amp; Documentary Filmmaker. New Delhi \u2014 A wave of orchestrated violence and intimidation targeting Christmas celebrations across India has drawn severe condemnation, casting a dark shadow over the nation\u2019s pluralistic ethos and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,96,1367],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","category-politics","category-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6739"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6744,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6739\/revisions\/6744"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}