Christmas message: Archbishop of Bangalore calls for peace, unity, respect for Human Dignity
Bengaluru: Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, has said that Christmas is a universal celebration that transcends religious boundaries and carries a timeless message of hope, love and new beginnings.
In his Christmas message issued on December 24, Archbishop Machado said the birth of Jesus Christ reminds humanity that God chose to enter human history not through power or privilege, but in humility and simplicity. He said Christmas calls upon people to rediscover the values of compassion, forgiveness and mutual respect.
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“Christmas urges us to move away from fear and suspicion and to build bridges of understanding and solidarity,” the Archbishop said.
Highlighting the principle of human dignity, Archbishop Machado said that God created every human being in His own image and likeness, bestowing equal dignity on all. This truth, he said, leaves no room for discrimination, violence or exclusion. He added that people are called to live as brothers and sisters, working together for peace, justice and the common good.
Appealing to people of goodwill, the Archbishop urged a renewed commitment to peace, unity and harmony. He called upon families, neighbourhoods and communities to become spaces of dialogue, care for the poor and concern for the vulnerable.
On behalf of the Christian community, Archbishop Machado extended Christmas greetings to all and prayed that the sacred season would renew commitment to humanity and nation-building. “Christmas calls us to replace hatred with humanity, division with dialogue, and fear with hope,” he said.
Meanwhile, senior political leaders visited the Archbishop’s House in Bengaluru to convey Christmas greetings. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar visited the Archbishop on December 20, 2025, during a Christmas gathering. Chief Minister Siddaramiah also met Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado on December 23, 2025, to greet him on the occasion of Christmas.
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Chhatrasal Stadium murder case: Delhi HC seeks police's stand on wrestler Sushil Kumar's bail plea
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of Delhi Police on a bail plea by Olympian Sushil Kumar in the murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar.
Justice Anup J Bhambhani issued notice to Delhi Police and the kin of the deceased, and asked them to file a status report and a reply, respectively.
Noting that the Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to Kumar by the high court in August last year, the judge remarked, "I think you are being ambitious."
"Once the Supreme Court has taken a view, what do you expect from me?" the court asked.
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The counsel for the accused said the bail plea should be considered since all public witnesses have been examined in the trial.
The counsel for Delhi Police and the deceased's kin, however, said all public witnesses were yet to be examined.
"Let a status report/detailed reply be filed before the next date of hearing. Renotify on May 4," the court said.
Kumar was arrested in May 2021 and a sessions court granted him a week's interim bail for his knee surgery on July 19, 2023.
On August 13, 2025, the Supreme Court cancelled Kumar's bail, setting aside a March 4 high court order and noting that his "domineering influence" over witnesses or delaying the trial proceedings could not be ruled out.
On February 6 this year, a trial court refused to grant bail to Kumar, saying the possibility that the accused might influence witnesses "cannot be ruled out".
The trial court, in October 2022, framed charges against Kumar under Indian Penal Code sections dealing with murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation and rioting with a deadly weapon. Charges were also framed under the provisions of the Arms Act.
The trial court had noted that after being abducted and brought to the Chhatrasal Stadium, Dhankar was severely assaulted by several accused persons with baseball and hockey sticks.
