British TV host and commentator Narinder Kaur posted a video from New Delhi, India, in which she was surprised to see how a country with such a small Christian population (2%) celebrates Christmas “like it’s the majority.”Kaur shared the video on X from Delhi, alongside footage which appeared to show Christmas decorations in hotels and malls, including trees, Santa figures, and staff wearing Santa hats.In her post, she claimed that if British people celebrated Diwali the same way in UK, the “right-wing” would become angry: “Around 2% of the population of India is Christian, yet they are celebrating Xmas like its the majority! Its amazing! Respectful. Staff all have Santa hats on..can you imagine uk hotel staff wearing turbans during Diwali? The right-wing would have a meltdown.”She called the celebration respectful and said everywhere she travelled in India, people were in the festive spirit: “Everywhere I’ve gone — hotels, restaurants — they’re celebrating Christmas big time in India,” she says. “Now I think 2% of the population of India is Christian, but they’re still celebrating, respecting.”Kaur also said that such displays in India are happening “without any fear.” She added that there is no sense in people complaining that Christians or “white people are taking over.” The comments divided the internet. Many social media users said Kaur was flattening complex religious and cultural differences between India and the UK. Some also challenged her comparison between Christmas decorations and religious dress, while others noted that Christmas in India is often treated as a commercial or seasonal event rather than a religious one. Several users said her remarks felt needlessly provocative and played into ongoing culture-war arguments.One user wrote: “I think you make a good point. However, I would never wear a turban during Diwali because I would feel that it would not be respectful. I was taught that a turban was worn as a sign of membership in a religion, and I am not Sikh – santa hat is not religious. I may be wrong”Another said: “Out of curiosity, what percentage of India’s population is of European descent? How easy is it for Westerners to emigrate to India?”
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Read more on The Times of India
