Christian forum hails PM’s visit to Delhi church, asks government to take strong action on acts of violence against community

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) on Friday (December 26, 2025) hailed the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption on Christmas. The organisation also appealed to the government to take strong action against those attacking Christians, their places of worship and traditional religious symbols. Rev. Asir Ebenezer, general secretary, NCCI in a statement said the Prime Minister’s visit to the church, particularly at a time when attacks on Christians are reported from various places in the country, can be perceived as a reassuring signal to the community. “It can suggest that the government of the day and the political leadership of the National Democratic Alliance-led Union government stand with the Christian community of India. While welcoming this gesture by the PM, NCCI places on record its repeated earnest appeal to the Government of India and its NDA allies to unequivocally distance themselves from acts of violence and intimidation perpetrated by ill-informed miscreants,” the statement read. The organisation also called upon the government to condemn attacks on Christians in the strongest possible terms and take strong action against those responsible for the act. It added that actions against those attacking the Christians will ensure that the goodwill gestures extended by the Prime Minister on Christmas, and by other representatives of the ruling dispensation on various other occasions, are seen as meaningful commitments rather than symbolic appearances. Also Read | Uproar as Hindu group allegedly recited Hanuman Chalisa outside Bareilly church before Christmas It added that NCCI firmly believes clear and strong statements, coupled with prompt action from the highest authorities of the government, will send an unambiguous message within the country. “At a time when India seeks to emerge as a strong and responsible global economic power, such actions will also reassure the international community that India stands resolutely by its constitutional values and will not allow any individual or group to act with impunity, regardless of political proximity or alignment,” the statement read as it thanked the individuals, communities, leaders, and representatives from various political parties who have stood in solidarity with the community during these difficult times. Published - December 26, 2025 09:26 pm IST

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