On Monday, 22 December 2025, men allegedly linked to Bajrang Dal were seen confronting a group of Christian women and children in the Lajpat Nagar area of New Delhi in a viral video.
The activists accused the group, who were wearing Santa Claus hats, of using the festive season to conduct religious proselytisation in public spaces.
A viral video of the incident shows the women in visible distress as they were pressured to leave the locality by the heckling crowd. While the Bajrang Dal maintains it was acting against “illegal conversions,” local police have confirmed that no formal complaint has been lodged by either party as of yet.
While The Logical Indian could not independently verify the video, several posts on X have identified the men seen confronting the group as members of the Bajrang Dal.
Bajrang Dal Heckles Christian Women
The incident in Lajpat Nagar occurred during the peak of the Christmas shopping season, a time when public displays of festive cheer are common. According to witnesses, the group was simply walking through the market in Santa hats when they were intercepted by self-proclaimed “cultural vigilantes.”
This confrontation follows a broader call by right-wing organisations for “cultural awakening,” urging people to avoid “Western-influenced” festivities. This climate has increasingly turned public spaces into arenas for ideological policing, where symbols of joy like Santa hats are viewed through a lens of suspicion rather than as harmless seasonal attire.
Video Goes Viral
The footage circulating on social media captures a heated exchange where activists are seen surrounding the women and children, aggressively questioning their presence. One activist in the video can be heard claiming that “interacting with people while wearing these hats is a lure for conversion.”
Despite the women explaining that they were merely celebrating their faith’s tradition, they were forced to exit the market to avoid further escalation. Police officials have stated that they are monitoring the situation and “checking the veracity of the viral clip.”
However, the lack of an FIR highlights the persistent fear of retaliation that prevents victims of public harassment from seeking legal justice.
Targeting Religious Minorities
This event is not an isolated case but part of a documented surge in disruptions targeting Christian events across India during the 2025 holiday season. From the halting of carols to the forceful removal of Santa costumes, such acts are often justified by the perpetrators as a defense of “Sanatani” culture.
Human rights advocates argue that these actions violate the constitutional right to religious freedom and the spirit of fraternity. By converting a private celebration into a public spectacle of intimidation, these groups aim to establish a dominant social order where minority visibility is restricted.
The incident has sparked a massive debate online regarding the boundaries of “cultural vigilance” and the safety of citizens.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the strength of India lies in its mosaic of faiths, where a Santa hat should be a symbol of shared happiness, not a trigger for hostility.
Harassing women and children in a public market under the guise of “protection” is a direct assault on the communal harmony that defines our democracy.
Vigilantism has no place in a society governed by the rule of law, and the silence of the state in such matters only emboldens those who seek to divide us. We advocate for a nation where every citizen can celebrate their identity with pride and without fear.
