JP Nadda Celebrates Christ’s Birth at Sacred Heart Cathedral

J.P. Nadda is in the center, wearing a white kurta and yellow scarf, worshipping his hands together in front of the Jesus statue in Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church, Kolkata. The church is brightly lit in multi-colours with a Christmas tree placed in the corner. The majestic cream-coloured building has beautiful carvings on it with the golden spire.

BJP National President JP Nadda celebrated Christmas at Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church, offering his reverence and gratitude to Jesus Christ. During his visit, he said “we remember the great teachings of Jesus Christ who has been an inspiration to mankind for ages. His teachings have been universalized as a paradigm of true faith, peace, compassion and service of humanity”. Nadda concluded his visit by singing ‘Hallelujah’. According to BNN Breaking.

How has the celebration of Christmas at a Catholic Church by a BJP leader been received by the public and other political parties?

The celebration of Christmas at a Catholic Church by a BJP leader has been received with mixed reactions by the public and other political parties. While some have welcomed the move, specially paying attention to Nadda’s message of peace and harmony often associated with Christmas, others have drawn attention to the overlap between religion and politics in India. This timely visit has put the spotlight on how BJP often abides by religious bent and its frequent ‘soft Hindutva’ messages. In fact, there have been ongoing debates about this and the latest visit by JP Nadda has added fuel to the debates and discussions.
Further, there are also multiple views that this visit may be part of BJP’s larger political move to garner minority votes for the upcoming elections. While these perspectives can’t be fully disregarded, the move has been widely welcomed by the local church and has added to the Christmas celebrations. Moreover, JP Nadda’s closing remarks of singing ‘Hallelujah’ has been appreciated and cherished by many present there. Hence, it can be said that this visit has triggered strong reactions and discussions among the diverse sections of the public.

Has JP Nadda’s visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral sparked any discussions or debates about the intersection of religion and politics in India?

Yes, JP Nadda’s visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral has sparked strong reactions and discussions among the diverse sections of the public, as it draws attention to the overlap between religion and politics in India, and may be part of BJP’s larger political move to garner minority votes for the upcoming elections. There has been ongoing debates about this and the latest visit by JP Nadda has added fuel to the debates and discussions.

In what ways has JP Nadda’s celebration of Christmas and his remarks about Jesus Christ aligned with or diverged from the BJP’s usual stance on religious matters?

JP Nadda’s celebration of Christmas and remarks about Jesus Christ align with the Hindu nationalist BJP party’s traditional stance: it values spiritual ideals and values that are common to all religions, and sees no incompatibility between being Hindu and honoring other religious traditions. In the past the BJP has encouraged cultural unity while promoting a national Indian identity that includes respect for other religious beliefs. Thus, JP Nadda’s Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is consistent with the party’s stance on religious matters.