The CBCI invited Modi to a pre-Christmas event, where he praised the bishops’ camaraderie with his government, and called the elevation of an Indian priest, Fr George Koovakad, to the College of Cardinals at December’s consistory a “moment of pride”.
He said Jesus taught love, harmony and brotherhood and urged all citizens to work towards strengthening such values in society, saying “it pains my heart when there are attempts to spread violence and cause disruption in society. It is essential that we come together to fight such challenges.”
Modi recalled the successful diplomatic effort to repatriate Fr Alexis Prem Kumar, an Indian Jesuit in Afghanistan kidnapped by the Taliban and held for eight months. The prime minister said his release in 2015 came more from “emotional commitment” than diplomatic work.
He also said India’s role supplying vaccines to poorer countries during the Covid-19 pandemic reflected a national prioritization of human welfare.
Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Thrissur, the president the CBCI, reflected on “the essence of Christmas as a time to build bridges of understanding and serve those in need”.
In an address to Modi, he said: “This gathering is a powerful symbol of the unity and harmony that defines the spirit of India. Mr Prime Minister, your vision for a united and progressive India echoes the Gospel values of inclusion and service to all.”
Thazhath did voice concern about attacks on Christians, noting the “targeting of the community members by anti-social fringe elements in some parts of the country”.
The former CBCI president Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay, said Modi’s presence at the event showed his concern for minority communities.
These exchanges met widespread criticism. “We see this as an attempt by senior institutional leaders of the Christian community to legitimise the government’s inaction on Christian persecution,” said a statement issued in response, signed by leading figures including the rights activists John Dayal, Fr Cedric Prakash SJ and Tushar Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
They said that “inviting PM Modi to a Christmas reception ignores the plight of persecuted Christians in India, a growing concern over the past few years”.
“One of the main reasons attributed to this alarming rise in persecution is the resurgence of Hindutva nationalism, which has led to an increase in anti-minorities sentiment, specially targeting Christians and Muslims,” the statement said.
Fr Suresh Mathew, former editor of Indian Currents weekly, reported violent disruptions to Christmas celebrations by Hinu nationalist groups across India, including in the northeastern state of Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in the north, Kerala in the south and Odisha in the east.
The United Christian Forum, an ecumenical watchdog, stated that from January to November 2024 there were 746 reported attacks against Christians, meaning an average two Christians were attacked every day. Such attacks have increased sharply since 2014 when Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power.