Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Assam: Pre-Christmas vandalism sparks fear and outrage across India

In the days leading up to Christmas 2025, several parts of India, including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Chhattisgarh, reportedly witnessed incidents of vandalism and disruptions to festive events, sparking concern among Christians and reactions from opposition leaders.

Mall vandalised in Raipur
During a day-long shutdown, or ‘bandh’, in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday over alleged religious conversions, unidentified persons vandalised Christmas decorations at Magneto Mall in Raipur city, according to police and PTI. A mob of 40-50 people, armed with rods and hockey sticks, entered the closed mall, raised slogans, and damaged decorations, including a Christmas tree. Police said some suspects have been identified and strict action will be taken. The bandh followed a clash over the burial of a Christian family member in Kanker district and had mixed impact across the state.

Vandalism in Assam schools and shops
In Assam’s Nalbari district, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal reportedly vandalised Christmas decorations at St Mary’s School in Panigaon village and damaged festive items in local shops. Four people were arrested, including VHP district secretary Bhaskar Deka, vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri, assistant secretary Biju Dutta, and Bajrang Dal district convenor Nayan Talukdar. The accused reportedly raised ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans and warned school authorities against Christmas celebrations. Items in shops and malls selling Christmas goods were also set on fire.

Christmas carol group attacked in Kerala
In Palakkad district, Kerala, a children’s carol group was allegedly attacked by a man identified as Ashwin Raj while visiting homes on Sunday night. Police said the attacker destroyed the group’s musical instruments in an area reportedly with a strong RSS presence.

Heated altercation in Madhya Pradesh
In Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, BJP district vice-president Anju Bhargava faced backlash after a video emerged showing her in a heated exchange with a visually-impaired woman at a church, asking why she had brought a child “among Christians.” The video was widely circulated on social media, prompting criticism from Congress leaders, including Supriya Shrinate, who called it an example of cruelty and intolerance.

Opposition and church reactions
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Christmas 2025 had been marked by “fear and anxiety” for Christians, while Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called the incidents “worrying and condemnable.”

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and state leaders to ensure strict law enforcement and proactive protection for Christian communities. CBCI president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath expressed “deep pain” over the rise in attacks and said such incidents violated the spirit of India’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

“Peaceful carol singers and faithful gathered in churches have been targeted, causing fear and distress among law-abiding citizens,” the Archbishop said. He urged authorities to protect Christians so that the message of Christmas—peace, love, and goodwill—can be celebrated in safety and harmony.