Holyrood authorities were last night accused of "outrageous" pandering to political correctness by scaling down the religious content of the Scottish Parliament's annual carol service.
Murdo Fraser, the Tories' deputy leader, said the "PC brigade" were "taking Christ out of Christmas" without consultation with MSPs or staff.
"This is outrageous and unacceptable. I have lodged a parliamentary motion calling for this ludicrous festive evening' to be scrapped, and our carol service reinstated. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the parliamentary authorities need to remember that," he said.
His comments came as a UK survey of the Asian community found "absolutely no evidence" that religious minorities were offended by Christmas as a festival.
Parliament chiefs billed the event a "festive evening" for MSPs and staff rather than a carol service. They insist there is still a strong Christmas theme to the night on December 19, with hymns, a gospel reading and blessing.
"This is the Scottish Parliament taking Christ out of Christmas," Mr Fraser said. "It does a massive disservice to all religions. People of all religions and none respect each other's beliefs but that should not mean that the parliament cannot hold celebrations for any particular faith."
A gospel reading and Christmas songs In The Bleak Mid-Winter and Oh Come All Ye Faithful are on the draft programme for the night. An ecumenical blessing by Action of Churches Together in Scotland is also planned, but is yet to be confirmed.
A Holyrood spokesman said: "The Christmas focus is strong, with traditional carols and songs, a Gospel reading, an ecumenical blessing and even mince pies and mulled wine and fruit juice planned."
The chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Trevor Phillips, is preparing a joint statement with Hindu, Sikh and Muslim leaders in defence of a Christian Christmas.
He will tell a conference on diversity in London today: "A lot of these stories about Christmas are the usual silly-season stuff but I can't help feeling there's sometimes an underlying agenda to use this great holiday to fuel community tension. That's why I asked leaders in different religious communities to join me in saying: It's time to stop being daft about Christmas. It's fine to celebrate and it's fine for Christ to be the star of the show."
Anil Bhanot, general secretary of the Hindu Council, said: "Hindus celebrate Christmas too. It's a great holiday for everyone living in Britain. We would like Christians to continue to carry Jesus' message of love. Barring the faiths of others does not fit in with the Hindu religion."
Dr Indarjit Singh, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, said: "Every year I am asked, Do I object to the celebration of Christmas?' It's an absurd question. As ever, my family and I will send out our Christmas cards to our Christian friends and others."
A survey of more than 500 Asians for the website Apnalounge.com found no basis for the suggestion that non-Christians in Britain are offended by nativity plays, carols or Christmas symbols. A minority of Asians were indifferent to Christmas but not offended, while 62% said they looked forward to the festival and joined in celebration.
Indi Singh of Apnalounge said: "Asians, in the main, love Christmas. Our research shows no basis for the government, local authorities, the police, hospitals, schools, airports nor any commercial company to ban or restrict Christmas celebrations."
Respect MP George Galloway said: "To my certain knowledge there is not one single Hindu, Sikh or Muslim in the UK against Christmas as a religious festival."
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