Right-wing groups threaten schools in India against Christmas

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Fringe right-wing groups in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh have warned local schools not to celebrate Christmas and New Year, threatening to disrupt any revelry.

"A group called the Hindu Jagran Manch (Hindu awakening platform) has warned schools in Aligarh against celebrating Christmas, saying they could do so at their own risk," an official said.

"In a letter to schools, the group has demanded that children should not be asked to bring gifts or participate in Christmas programs."

The group said such activities were "a step towards forced conversions" of Hindu students.

"We will decide on a course of action on receiving their (the schools') response," Sonu Savita, a leader of the Hindu Jagran Manch, was quoted by a local news agency as saying.

Children dressed in Santa costumes participate in Christmas celebrations at a school in Chandigarh. / Reuters Photo‍

Apart from Hindu Jagran Manch, another fringe group Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh (world Hindu mega association) told media they want to register "peaceful but vociferous" protests against what they call "obscene behavior" during the New Year celebrations in hotels and restaurants.

Meanwhile, police said they would take preventive measures to ensure smooth Christmas celebrations.

"We will take preventive actions against them," Rajesh Pandey told reporters. "We will heavily bound down them so that they can't resort to any action that causes insecurity among school children, school management or parents."

However, the threats have worried parents of school children, reports said.

Last week, police in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh detained a group of priests and seminarians conducting carol singing ahead of Christmas, alleging a conversion bid.

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