Another warning against involving Hindu students in Christmas 

After Hindu Jagran Manch, it is now Hindu Mahasabha which has asked missionary schools in Aligarh and Agra not to force Hindus to celebrate Christmas and threatened to disturb Christmas celebrations if their warning was not heeded.

Vice-President of Hindu Mahasabha Gajendra Pal Singh Arya threatened, “If any school pressurises students to take part in these celebrations. we will take action.” He did not elaborate on what he meant or on the action to be taken.

The threats came after DGP Sulkhan Singh issued directives to the District Police Chiefs to ensure peaceful celebration of Christmas in their regions. Following this directive, SSP Aligarh had asked leaders of Hindu Jagran Manch to give undertakings that they would not disturb Christmas celebrations.

National Herald was first to report about the threat given by HJM activists to missionary schools. In its report on December 16 NH had reported that HJM had issued threats to Missionary schools associated with different diocese not to celebrate Christmas in their schools.

HJM Aligarh city president Sonu Savita said that HJM stood by its decision to oppose Christmas celebration in the schools. The HJM alleged that schools are collecting contributions from Hindu students to celebrate Christmas.

The RSS has however distanced itself from this controversy saying people of all religious faith have right to celebrate their festival as per their religious belief. Jagdish Vashisht, Sanghchalak of Braj Prant, said that any advisory issued by any organisation is against the belief of RSS. “We do not agree with the stand taken by the HJM,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court has also ruled that every citizen has the right to celebrate festival in a peaceful manner and authorities should not be reluctant in giving them permission.

Sanjay Singh and 34 other Christians had filed a PIL saying district administration was not allowing them to celebrate Christmas. The Bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosle and Justice MK Gupta said people had the right to celebrate their religious festivals. “We hope that unless there is some law and order issue the authorities will not decline permission to celebrate festival,” the judges had said.