Protesters Damage Christmas Decorations at Raipur Mall in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh, Dec 28, 2025: Police have booked unidentified individuals for damaging Christmas decorations at a shopping mall in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, a police official said on Thursday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at Magneto Mall during a day-long ‘Chhattisgarh bandh’ called by Hindu organisations to protest alleged religious conversions. CCTV footage from the mall showed a group entering the premises carrying sticks and vandalising property.

"Based on the complaint of mall staff, a case has been registered against 30-40 unidentified persons under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly with a common unlawful objective, rioting and mischief," Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh told PTI.

He said some of those involved have been identified and strict action will be taken, adding that statements of eyewitnesses and suspects are being recorded.

The mall management stated that a group of 40–50 persons acted aggressively and violently, running through the mall with rods and hockey sticks. The management added that the incident took place despite the mall being officially closed in support of the bandh.

Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing agitators raising slogans and damaging Christmas decorations inside and outside the mall, including a Christmas tree.

The day-long bandh was called following a recent clash linked to the burial of a person from a Christian family in Kanker district. The shutdown received a mixed response across Chhattisgarh, with normal life disrupted in several cities, while other areas reported only a partial impact.

Courtesy: Indian Express