New Delhi, Dec. 25 -- Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore famously said in 1908, "I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live." In stark contrast, India is witnessing a rise in hypernationalism in recent years.

Just days after a Bajrang Dal member barred a Christmas mass in the national capital, the youth wing of India's Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) allegedly vandalised Christmas decorations worth lakhs at Raipur's Magneto Mall in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh.

The VHP has released a statement calling on Hindus to refrain from celebrating Christmas in any form, saying the move is intended to promote cultural "awakening" among Hindus. Reports also suggest that shops and other establishments are being encouraged to ref...