Matters India Reporter
Bareilly, Dec 26, 2025: A group of 15 to 20 Bajrang Dal members staged a brief protest outside St. Alphonsus Cathedral on Christmas Eve, raising slogans and reciting religious verses after objecting to a programme held on the campus, December 26, 2025.
The group remained outside the gate for about 20 minutes. “They shouted slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Vande Bharat,’ then recited the Hanuman Chalisa before dispersing without interacting with anyone,” said Fr. John Stany D’Silva, parish priest of the cathedral.
According to Bishop Ignatius D’Souza of Bareilly, the incident stemmed from a school programme on contemporary social causes. “The presentation highlighted social issues and values. Certain individuals assumed it was meant to belittle Hindus, but that allegation is not supported by facts,” the bishop told.
He added that a complaint was taken to the police seeking registration of an FIR against the school management. “Police asked for factual evidence to support the allegations. As none was produced, no FIR was registered. The officials acted cooperatively, informed us in advance about the proposed protest, and deployed personnel to ensure safety,” Bishop D’Souza said.
Despite the disruption, Christmas celebrations at the cathedral continued undeterred. “On Christmas Day, more than one lakh people visited the cathedral, and the celebrations proceeded without incident,” Fr. D’Silva noted