Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption on Christmas Day was described as a “spontaneous gesture” of prayer and goodwill by Paul Swarup, Bishop of Delhi, Church of North India
Speaking in a Special Report interaction with senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, Bishop Swarup said the Prime Minister’s presence at the Christmas service should be seen as a positive and personal act rather than a political statement.
‘A moment for prayer, not protest’
Bishop Swarup noted that while concerns remain over attacks on Christians in parts of the country, Christmas was not the appropriate moment to raise such issues directly with the Prime Minister.
“Christmas is a time of prayer, peace and goodwill. It is not the time to bring up contentious matters,” he said, adding that the visit should be viewed in the spirit in which it was made.
Concerns acknowledged, but dialogue stressed
At the same time, the Bishop did not dismiss anxieties within the Christian community. He acknowledged growing concerns over incidents involving right-wing groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. However, he emphasised that long-term solutions lie in dialogue and relationship-building rather than confrontation.
“There is a need to engage, to build trust and understanding with the government and wider society,” Bishop Swarup said during the discussion.
‘False narrative’ of forced conversions
The conversation also addressed what Bishop Swarup described as a “false narrative” surrounding forced religious conversions. He reiterated that the Christian community in India has consistently denied such allegations and called for a more nuanced and factual understanding of the issue.
According to him, misinformation has contributed to mistrust and tension, making it all the more important for religious communities and the state to communicate openly.
Symbolism of the visit
Prime Minister Modi’s Christmas Day visit to the cathedral was widely seen as symbolic, coming amid debates on minority rights and religious harmony in India. Bishop Swarup said such gestures, even if brief, can help open channels of communication.
“Visits like these create opportunities for engagement. What matters is how we carry that forward,” he said.
A message of coexistence
The Bishop concluded by stressing that the Christian community remains committed to peace, service and coexistence. He expressed hope that respectful dialogue between faith communities and the government would continue beyond symbolic moments.