Christians attacked, intimidated across India on Christmas

Across India, Hindu supremacists attacked and intimidated people celebrating Christmas. 

In Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, a crowd of around 1,000 Hindu supremacists gathered outside a well-known Catholic church to harass people attending a Christmas celebration, chanting praises of Hindu deities and slogans such as, “We are Sanatanis (Hindus), we will not say Merry Christmas, but ‘Hare Krishna Hare Ram.’”  

In Rajasthan, Hindu militants attacked a Christmas carnival at a school, vandalised decorations, burned posters, and blasted Hindu songs that included the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” or “Glory to Lord Ram.” In Kerala state, Hindu militants broke into another school hosting a Christmas celebration, intimidated the administrators, and accused them of not celebrating Hindu festivals.

YouTuber arrested for trying to interview police about anti-Muslim violence in Sambhal

Uttar Pradesh police arrested a Muslim YouTuber, Mashkoor Raza Dada, for repeatedly attempting to interview officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary about a shocking case of police brutality against Muslim protesters in Sambhal city in November, resulting in the death of five Muslims. 

A police statement declared that Dada was arrested for “disturbing public peace.” 

Muslim student stopped from taking exam, ordered to shave beard

In Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, a Muslim nursing student was stopped from taking an exam after invigilators ordered him to shave his beard, calling it “unhygienic” and claiming it “violated rules.” The university, however, has no such regulation against men having beards, sparking concerns of anti-Muslim discrimination.