Christmas celebrations were disrupted in Raipur after a Hindutva mob vandalised Christmas decorations at Magneto Mall during the “Chhattisgarh Bandh” on Wednesday, December 24. Armed with sticks, the group forcibly entered the mall and tore down Christmas-themed installations, alleging that such decorations promoted illegal religious conversions. The incident unfolded despite resistance from private security staff, creating panic among shoppers and mall employees.

According to Avinash Singh, Station House Officer of Raipur, the mall management lodged a formal complaint following the vandalism. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to vandalism, unlawful assembly and forcible entry. CCTV footage from the mall and vehicle registration details have been secured to identify those involved. Police officials said arrests would be made after the suspects are identified through technical evidence.

The bandh was called following a communal clash in Kanker district over the burial of a Christian man’s father, an issue that had earlier left several police personnel injured. While city police maintained that the overall situation during the bandh remained largely peaceful, incidents like the Magneto Mall vandalisation were reported. Traffic was disrupted in parts of the city as right-wing groups blocked roads demanding stricter laws against alleged religious conversions. Meanwhile, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) state president Ghanshyam Choudhary claimed the protest was meant to highlight what he described as forced religious conversions, particularly in tribal regions of the state. Investigations into the Raipur mall incident are ongoing.