Vandals Target Christmas Celebrations in Assam and Chhattisgarh

Overview of the Incidents

On Christmas Day, reports surfaced from Assam and Chhattisgarh about right-wing vandals attacking Christmas decorations. This alarming series of events resulted in the arrest of four individuals in Nalbari, Assam, and the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) in Raipur against approximately 25-30 activists.

Assault on St. Mary’s School, Nalbari

In Nalbari, Assam, a group of Hindutva activists stormed St. Mary’s School, where they demolished and burnt Christmas banners and decorations. They also extended their attack to nearby shops selling Christmas items, dismantling a Nativity crib set up on the school premises.

Arrests Made

Local authorities confirmed the arrest of four individuals connected to the vandalism. Nalbari Senior Superintendent of Police, Bibekananda Das, noted that three of the arrested individuals were members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), while one was affiliated with the Bajrang Dal.

• Arrested Individuals:
  • Bhaskar Deka, VHP District Secretary
  • Manash Jyoti Patgiri, VHP District Vice-President
  • Biju Dutta, VHP Assistant Secretary
  • Nayan Talukdar, Bajrang Dal District Convener

Threats and Intimidation

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the attackers shouted “Jai Shri Ram” and verbally threatened school officials. They demanded that Christmas celebrations cease, questioning whether the school participated in other religious events, like Saraswati Puja.

Vandalism at Magneto Mall, Raipur

In a separate incident in Raipur, members of a fringe group stormed Magneto Mall during the Chhattisgarh shutdown, which protested violence surrounding Kanker burial and alleged religious conversions.

Description of the Attack

The vandals were armed with sticks and caused significant damage:

• Targeted Items: Christmas decorations, including a Christmas tree and a Santa Claus figure, were damaged or destroyed.
• Questioning Staff: The attackers reportedly asked mall staff about their religious affiliations and inspected their IDs and badges.

Mall Management’s Response

The management of Magneto Mall reported substantial financial losses due to the vandalism. An FIR has been registered based on their complaints.

Conclusion

The targeting of Christmas decorations in both Assam and Chhattisgarh highlights growing tensions surrounding religious celebrations in India. The response from local authorities and the community will be critical in addressing these issues and ensuring safety during future festivities.