A life-size statue of Jesus has been smashed to pieces in a spate of attacks on the Christian community in India during the Christmas weekend.

Two unidentified men were caught on CCTV on Boxing Day desecrating the statue which is situated at the entrance of the historic Holy Redeemer Church in Ambala.

Fr Patras Mundu, the parish priest told The Hindu newspaper, the suspects also damaged the lighting and the decorations inside the premises.

“While one of them was pulling down the lighting, the other was recording it on his phone. They were also in contact with someone over the phone as if taking instructions. The face of one of the suspects is clearly visible and should not be difficult for the police to trace him,” Fr Mundu said.

Police said the footage is being analysed.

But this was not the only attack. About 280 miles away from Ambala, in Uttar Pradesh Hindu nationalists accused believers of trying to convert people to Christianity and burnt effigies of Santa Claus, according to Republic World reported.

Meanwhile, a Presbyterian church in Assam was also the subject of an attack when two protesters wearing the colours of Hindu nationalism interrupted a Christmas night event and demanded that all Hindus leave the place of worship.  

Earlier this month, police in India's Karnataka state advised Christians not to gather in rented halls or private houses as officers could not guarantee protection from militant Hindu nationalist groups.

Attacks on religious minorities, including Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, have significantly increased in the Karnataka state, especially since the ruling party proposed an anti-conversion law.