On Christmas Day, incidents of vandalism targeting festive decorations were reported from two Indian states, Assam and Chhattisgarh, leading to police action. In Assam's Nalbari district, four individuals were arrested, while in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against a large group.
Assam School Targeted, Four Right-Wing Activists Held
The arrests in Assam followed an attack on St Mary’s School in Nalbari. A group of activists, reportedly affiliated with right-wing organizations, forcibly entered the school premises around 2:30 PM on Wednesday. They proceeded to tear down and set fire to Christmas banners, posters, and other decorations. The vandals also damaged lights and plant pots on the campus.
According to the complaint filed by the school principal, Father Baiju Sebastian, the miscreants issued threats to the school authorities. They shouted slogans like "Jai Shri Ram" and warned against celebrating Christmas. In a purported video of the incident, an activist is heard telling a school official, "From this year, you have to stop Christmas celebrations." They also questioned whether the school celebrated Hindu festivals like Saraswati Puja.
Nalbari SSP Bibekananda Das confirmed the arrest of four local men. The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Bhaskar Deka - VHP district secretary
- Manash Jyoti Patgiri - VHP district vice-president
- Biju Dutta - VHP assistant secretary
- Nayan Talukdar - Bajrang Dal district convener
SSP Das noted that while the group involved was larger, these four were identified as active participants. The attack extended beyond the school, with nearby shops in Nalbari town selling Christmas items also being targeted. A Nativity crib on the school premises was dismantled.
Raipur Mall Vandalized During State-Wide Shutdown
In a separate incident in Chhattisgarh, violence erupted at the Magneto Mall in Raipur on Thursday. This occurred during a state-wide shutdown called to protest recent violence in Kanker and alleged religious conversions. A mob of 25-30 people, described as belonging to a fringe outfit and armed with sticks, rods, and hockey sticks, stormed the mall.
They specifically targeted Christmas displays, vandalizing gilded decorations, damaging a Christmas tree, and destroying a Santa Claus figure. The mall management estimated the losses to run into several lakhs of rupees. Officials stated that the assailants questioned staff and visitors about their religion and caste, even checking their ID cards and badges.
Based on a formal complaint by the mall management, the Raipur police registered an FIR against the group of 25-30 activists for vandalism and other charges.
Police Action and Rising Tensions
The swift arrests in Assam and the filing of the FIR in Chhattisgarh highlight police response to the festive season violence. The incidents have sparked concerns about communal harmony during religious celebrations. The direct threats issued to school officials in Assam to cease Christmas celebrations point to an alarming attempt to dictate religious observance.
These events in Nalbari and Raipur underscore a pattern of intimidation and property damage aimed at Christmas festivities. The police actions in both states are crucial steps, but the confrontational rhetoric and targeted vandalism raise broader questions about inter-faith relations and law and order during national holidays.
