A Hindutva mob armed with wooden sticks vandalized Christmas decorations at Magneto Mall in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on December 24 during a statewide shutdown called “Chhattisgarh bandh,” aimed at protesting alleged religious conversions.
Footage from the mall shows a large group of men, many wearing saffron scarves, forcefully entering the premises. They aggressively dismantled Christmas garlands, stars, and other festive decorations, with some climbing structures or using sticks to reach higher installations. Others surrounded and struck the decorations with sticks.
The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against over 30 unidentified individuals for trespass, mischief, and rioting, stating that CCTV footage is under review to identify and apprehend those responsible.
This incident followed an urgent request sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah from the United Christian Forum, which called for the cancellation of the planned bandh, citing serious threats to social harmony and the safety of the Christian community.
The bandh was organized by the Sarva Hindu Samaj and coincided with unrest linked to a recent conflict between communities in Kanker district regarding the burial of a Christian man.
Reactions to the bandh varied across the state, with urban areas experiencing violence and multiple businesses remaining closed. In cities such as Raipur, Durg, and others, normal activities were disrupted, while rural areas showed limited impact, with essential services and hospitals exempt.
Tensions in the state have escalated following violence in Badetevda village, Kanker district, on December 18, where multiple individuals, including over 20 police personnel, were injured. This unrest stemmed from a dispute involving the burial practices of village sarpanch Rajman Salam, which resulted in mob violence, including the vandalism of a prayer hall.
The vandalism at the mall has heightened concerns regarding targeted attacks on the Christian community in Chhattisgarh, particularly ahead of Christmas. Civil rights organizations have warned about an alarming rise in communal tensions.
During the Christmas season, several incidents of harassment and vandalism against Christian celebrations have occurred across India, often involving groups associated with Hindutva organizations like Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
In Bareilly, members of the Bajrang Dal and VHP assembled outside a church and recited the Hanuman Chalisa while police were present. In Odisha, cow vigilantes confronted street vendors selling Christmas items, demanding identification and threatening removal if vendors did not comply. In Madhya Pradesh, right-wing groups stormed church premises in Jabalpur over unproven allegations of conversion.
According to the United Christian Forum, a total of 706 incidents targeting Christians were recorded as of November 2025.
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