Christmas Cancelled, Rights Punished: How RSS-Backed Ideology in India Breaks Law Under the Modi Government

An Incident That Clearly Exposed India’s Intolerance

The cancellation of official Christmas celebrations in Kerala has exposed a harsh and uncomfortable truth about India under the Modi government. What should have been a simple and respectful religious celebration turned into an act of punishment when postal employees refused to sing an RSS Ganageetham, a song linked to a hardline ideological group. Instead of respecting faith and choice, the authorities allowed the celebration to be cancelled. This incident shows how India now openly punishes belief, freedom, and dignity.

◆ Open Intolerance: The cancellation clearly shows that religious freedom in India is now conditional and controlled by political ideology rather than law.
◆ State-Supported Pressure: Government institutions were used to force ideological obedience instead of protecting diversity.
◆ Public Shock: The move caused anger and concern because it openly targeted a peaceful religious event.

How a Christmas Event Was Turned Into an Ideological Test

The controversy started when the Bharatiya Postal Administrative Offices Employees Union, linked to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, demanded that an RSS anthem be sung during Christmas celebrations. These celebrations were planned for December 18 in post offices across Kerala. Employees refused because the demand had no connection with Christmas or Christian faith. Instead of rejecting the demand, authorities allowed the entire celebration to be cancelled.

◆ Ideology Forced on Faith: A religious celebration was turned into a loyalty test for a political ideology.
◆ Employee Rights Ignored: Workers were denied the right to celebrate their faith freely.
◆ Silent Punishment: The cancellation itself became a tool to punish refusal.

RSS Influence Inside Government Offices

The demand did not come from ordinary workers but from a union closely linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an organisation deeply connected with the ruling ideology. Over time, the RSS has extended its reach into unions, offices, and public institutions. What happened in Kerala shows how this influence is now openly imposed. Government offices are no longer neutral places.

◆ Ideological Control: RSS-linked groups are increasingly shaping decisions inside state institutions.
◆ Loss of Neutrality: Government offices are being pushed away from constitutional neutrality.
◆ Fear-Based Compliance: Employees are pressured to comply without protest.

Christmas Is Faith, Not Political Performance

In a letter addressed to Indian Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, John Brittas, a Communist Party of India-Marxist leader and Member of Parliament, clearly explained that Christmas in India is not just cultural but an expression of faith, goodwill, and inclusiveness. Forcing an RSS song into such an event was described as deeply insensitive and inappropriate. His statement exposed how the Modi government fails to respect the meaning of religious observance.

◆ Faith Disrespected: Christmas was reduced to a stage for ideological display.
◆ Minority Marginalised: Christian employees were made to feel unwanted.
◆ Cultural Insensitivity: Religious values were ignored for political messaging.

A Constitutional Warning That India Ignored

The letter sent on December 17, a day before the planned celebration, urged the minister not to accept the union’s demand. Copies were also sent to the Secretary of the Department of Posts and the Chief Postmaster General of Kerala Circle. Brittas warned that introducing a partisan ideological song in a government office violates constitutional principles. Ignoring this warning exposed the government’s disregard for law.

◆ Constitution Violated: The demand went against India’s own constitutional promise of religious freedom.
◆ Legal Concerns Raised: Senior officials were formally warned.
◆ Deliberate Neglect: Authorities chose ideology over law.

Punishment Disguised as Administration

The most disturbing part of this incident was the punishment of employees for simply refusing to comply. Instead of dialogue or compromise, the authorities cancelled the entire celebration. This sent a clear message that disagreement would be met with denial of rights. Such behaviour reflects an authoritarian mindset rather than democratic governance.

◆ Collective Punishment: All employees suffered because some refused ideological pressure.
◆ Fear as a Tool: Cancellation was used to silence resistance.
◆ No Democratic Dialogue: Power replaced discussion.

Modi Government and Shrinking Religious Freedom

Under the Modi government, space for minority religions has steadily reduced. Muslims have long faced restrictions, and now Christians are being targeted through subtle but powerful pressure. Faith is tolerated only when it aligns with ruling ideology. Kerala’s postal offices became another example of this shrinking freedom.

◆ Systematic Bias: Minorities face repeated restrictions.
◆ State-Endorsed Discrimination: Such acts continue without accountability.
◆ Democratic Decline: Freedom of belief is being weakened.

Government Offices Turned Into Ideological Spaces

This incident shows how Indian government offices are being turned into places of ideological display rather than public service. Employees are expected to perform loyalty beyond their professional roles. This destroys professionalism and inclusiveness. Public offices should serve citizens, not political agendas.

◆ Workplace Coercion: Employees face pressure unrelated to their duties.
◆ Abuse of Authority: State power is used to enforce ideology.
◆ Loss of Ethics: Neutral governance is eroded.

International Law and Human Rights Ignored

Freedom of religion is protected not only by India’s constitution but also by international human rights law. Forcing ideological content into a religious event and punishing refusal violates basic rights recognised worldwide. India often claims to respect global norms, yet such incidents expose hypocrisy. This behaviour damages India’s credibility on the international stage.

A Clear Sign of India’s Dangerous Direction

The cancellation of Christmas celebrations in Kerala’s post offices is a clear warning sign of where India is heading under the Modi government. When faith is punished, ideology is forced, and law is ignored, democracy becomes hollow. This incident shows how India now treats diversity as a threat rather than a strength.

What should have been a moment of joy and goodwill turned into an act of control and exclusion. By allowing RSS ideology to override constitutional and international principles, India has exposed the deep erosion of freedom within its system. As long as belief, choice, and law remain secondary to political ideology, incidents like this will continue to expose India’s democratic claims as empty words.