Amidst a warning by the Bajrang Dal Cachar unit a few days back to all Hindus abstaining from celebrating Christmas, the Ramkrishna Mission based in Silchar, performed their traditional rituals of praying for Lord Jesus on Christmas eve. Sweets, cake, chocolates were placed and prayers offered to mother Mary and Lord Jesus at her lap alongside Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi.

Gandhishnand Ji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission, Silchar speaking to this correspondent said that after the death of Ramakrishna many of his close associates went to Swami Vivekananda Ji’s house and on one such night on 24th December he spoke a lot of Lord Jesus and his preachings for which Christmas eve has become an integral part of celebrations in Ramakrishna Mission.

Pertinent to the symbolic coexistence of Indians and tradition of secularism, it is also an eye-opener for many other cluster groups that keeps erupting in India. Recently in Shillong students group had locked Ramkrishna Mission. Christmas this year post-Covid might be an indication for religiously motivated political polariser to shun dictating and bullying as religion is an individual choice. In a secular country like India, there will be very few takers for the fringe elements who try to divide the society, rather preach spirituality.