EDITORIAL: Religious freedom for minority communities, particularly Muslims and Christians, is under growing threat in India, despite the country’s constitutional identity being firmly rooted in secularism and equal respect for all faiths. Reports surrounding this year’s Christmas celebrations point to a disturbing erosion of that commitment. The vandalism of Christmas decorations, the disruption of school events, and the intimidation of minority communities are not mere law-and-order concerns; they reflect a broader climate of intolerance that has steadily deepened under the ruling BJP’s aggressive Hindu majoritarian politics. This trend persists despite constitutional guarantees that ensure every citizen the right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion. Christmas celebrations in schools, malls, and public spaces have long been part of India’s social and cultural fabric. The targeting of such celebrations in states as diverse as Chhattisgarh, Assam, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh signals a narrowing definition of what is deemed an “acceptable” expression of secular India. When mobs feel emboldened to storm shopping malls, burn merchandise, and threaten educators and shopkeepers, it indicates not only rising social hostility but also a worrying weakening of the rule of law. Equally troubling is the ideological framing used to justify these actions. Activists from far-right Hindu nationalist groups, including the Sarva Hindu Samaj and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, operate with a sense of impunity, portraying minority religious communities as “foreign” and thereby denying the lived reality of millions of Indian citizens. Such rhetoric deliberately casts doubt on the loyalty of these communities to the country. The fact that intimidation and violence are carried out openly — often in the presence of the police — suggests confidence that acts committed in the name of Hindutva will be tolerated, if not implicitly encouraged by elements within the Sangh Parivar. This normalisation of abuse through repetition poses a grave danger. As attacks against minorities become more frequent, they risk being dismissed as routine or inevitable. Entire communities are increasingly made to feel unsafe celebrating their festivals, educating their children, or practicing their faith openly—conditions wholly incompatible with a democratic society. Yet India often projects itself as the world’s largest democracy, founded on pluralism and equal respect for all religions. Persistent reports of religious harassment and violence defy that claim and warrant greater international scrutiny. Reversing this trend is a collective responsibility. Given its track record, the BJP and its allies won’t resist the temptation to mobilise religious identity for electoral gain. Nevertheless, civil society, opposition leaders, and ordinary citizens must speak out against hatred and defend the rights of their fellow citizens. Religious freedom is not a concession granted by the majority; it is a fundamental right. When it erodes for one community, the foundations of freedom are weakened for all. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026