Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25 attended the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, joining members of the Christian community for prayers, carols, and hymns marking the festival.
A special prayer was offered for the Prime Minister during the service by the Bishop of Delhi. Following the visit, Mr. Modi extended Christmas greetings through a message on social media, wishing peace, compassion, and hope, and invoking the teachings of Jesus Christ as a source of harmony and goodwill in society. Officials said the message highlighted values of love, service, and brotherhood.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes at a time when Christian groups across the country have voiced concern over recent incidents involving disruptions of church services, prayer meetings, and Christmas-related events. In several states, carol programmes and community celebrations reportedly faced objections or were cancelled following protests, raising concerns about religious freedom and safety.
Reactions to the visit have been mixed among church leaders and civil society groups. While welcoming the symbolic outreach, many have stressed that gestures and greetings must be accompanied by concrete action. They have called for stronger assurances of protection, swift legal action against those involved in violence or intimidation, and clear public messaging against hate and vigilantism. Opposition leaders and minority rights activists have also urged authorities to ensure effective enforcement of the law and uphold constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and equal citizenship for all communities.
