When Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, he spoke of the ‘timeless message of love, peace and compassion’ reflected in the event. That is indeed the core of India’s strength, where citizens of various faiths live in harmony. Yet, this message meant little to several right-wing groups, who claimed to be affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party and organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and set about disrupting or breaking up Christmas celebrations in several states. The disturbing spectacle of a visually impaired woman being assaulted by a BJP functionary at a Christmas feast at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh is emblematic........

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