Raipur, December 25, 2025 – Police have charged 40 individuals following an incident of vandalism at Raipur's Magneto Mall, where Christmas decorations were damaged on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred during a Chhattisgarh bandh (strike), which had been called by Hindu organizations protesting alleged religious conversions and violence in the Kanker district.
According to reports, a mob of 30 to 40 masked individuals, some armed with wooden sticks, entered the mall around 2 p.m. and began destroying Christmas decorations that had been erected in anticipation of the holiday. Mall employees stated the vandals questioned them about their religion, checked their identity cards, and threatened non-Hindu staff members. The employee accounts also suggest that the mob specifically stated that they "did not want to see Santa". The sudden violence left several staff members, particularly women, shaken.
Raipur SHO (Station House Officer) Avinash Singh stated that a case has been registered against the unidentified individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code), including those related to vandalism, unlawful assembly, and forcible entry. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and vehicle registration numbers to identify and apprehend the accused.
The mall management filed a complaint, stating that the group deliberately damaged the decorations. An employee, speaking anonymously, mentioned that while the mall has historically supported bandh calls, they had never witnessed such behavior and that the mob had threatened and shouted at them. Another employee reported that people who had come to watch movies were frightened by the events.
The Indian National Congress party has reacted to the incident by sharing videos on social media, alleging the involvement of right-wing groups and accusing the BJP-led state government of fostering an environment of intolerance and targeting minority communities during Christmas celebrations. Similar incidents have allegedly been reported from other states.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist organization, had previously urged Hindus to avoid celebrating Christmas, deeming it a threat to "cultural awareness". Critics argue such appeals contribute to an atmosphere of exclusion and embolden groups to harass vendors and intimidate Christians.
The "Chhattisgarh bandh" that coincided with the incident was triggered by a recent clash between two communities over a burial in the Kanker district. While the bandh saw shops and commercial establishments shut down in urban areas, its impact was limited in some rural pockets. In some areas, groups carrying sticks were seen moving through markets, urging shopkeepers to close their businesses.
The incident at Magneto Mall is part of a broader pattern of reported attacks, intimidation, and disruptions targeting Christian gatherings and decorations across India during the Christmas season. Police have increased security, and religious leaders have cautioned against intimidation while advocating for the protection of constitutional rights.
