Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has issued a strong condemnation of recent violent incidents targeting Christmas celebrations in various parts of India. In a statement on December 25, 2025, Tharoor argued that such assaults on the Christian community fundamentally represent an attack on the identity of every Indian citizen.
An Assault on India's Pluralist Foundations
While extending his Christmas greetings, Tharoor emphasized that solidarity is non-negotiable at a time when the constitutional freedom of worship and belief is being challenged. He expressed deep concern over reports of violence, specifically highlighting the "truly shocking" attack on a carol group in Puducherry.
Tharoor stressed that these incidents are not isolated attacks on a single community but strike at the very core of India's pluralistic society. "When the religious traditions of any community are attacked, it is an assault on the foundational principles of our nation," he stated. The MP reminded the public that the Indian Constitution explicitly guarantees the freedom of faith for all, and protecting the rights of minority communities is a collective responsibility of all citizens.
Kerala's Harmony as a National Example
In his remarks, Tharoor pointed to his home state of Kerala as a model of long-standing communal harmony and peaceful coexistence. He warned that the erosion of respect for India's rich religious diversity poses a direct threat to the nation's moral and democratic fabric.
"The attempt to undermine this diversity is not just a political issue; it is a challenge to our soul as a nation," Tharoor asserted. He called for a unified stand against forces that seek to divide society along religious lines, underscoring that the strength of India has always lain in its unity amidst profound diversity.
A Call for Collective Vigilance and Action
The statement from the parliamentarian serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding religious freedom in the country. Tharoor's intervention places the incidents within a larger national narrative, framing them as a test of India's constitutional commitment to secularism.
His comments have ignited a fresh debate on the state of minority rights and communal harmony in contemporary India. By stating that an attack on Christians is an attack on every Indian, Tharoor has appealed to a broader sense of national identity that transcends religious affiliations. The call to action is clear: defending the pluralistic ethos is essential for preserving the democratic integrity of the nation.
