Christmas: ‘Santa’ beaten in Gujarat; Kerala cops celebrate with kids

In India this year, two types of Christmas were celebrated – one with hatred and the other with love and brotherhood.
Following are two stories from two states of India – Gujarat and Kerala. While one reported violence, the other reminded the true nature and spirit of Christmas.
On December 20, a man, dressed up as Santa Claus was beaten up by a Hindutva mob in a residential colony in Makarpura area, Vadodara in Gujarat.
According to the police, the victim – Shashikant Dabhi – dressed up as Santa Claus and visited Makarpura area’s Avdhoot Society where a group of Christian families were celebrating. He went around distributing chocolates and wishing everybody Merry Christmas.
However, Dabhi was soon attacked and beaten by a group of people who warned of any such celebration reminding them it is a Hindu-dominated area. Four persons including a woman got injured.
Dhabi lodged a complaint against the attackers. Police said investigations are underway. While down south in Kerala, a group of children dressed up as Santa Claus cheerfully visited a police station, much to the amusement of the officers present there.