Overview
- Assam police arrested four office-bearers of the VHP and Bajrang Dal in Nalbari for allegedly vandalising St Mary’s School’s Christmas decorations and burning festive items in shops, with charges filed under multiple BNS sections.
- The accused in Nalbari were identified as Bhaskar Deka, Manash Jyoti Patgiri, Biju Dutta and Nayan Talukdar, and the SSP said they will be produced in court as investigators review video evidence to identify more participants.
- Raipur police registered a case against 30–40 unidentified persons after a masked group vandalised Christmas decor at Magneto Mall during a bandh, with CCTV footage and vehicle details used to pinpoint suspects and statements being recorded.
- The Raipur incident coincided with a shutdown called over alleged religious conversions after a burial-related clash in Kanker, and police cited BNS provisions including unlawful assembly, rioting and mischief.
- Reports from other states described localized disruptions to Christian festivities, and church leaders and opposition figures called for protection and accountability, including a CBCI appeal to the prime minister.