Assam Police have detained four individuals linked to right-wing groups following an act of vandalism at a local school during preparations for Christmas festivities. The incident, which involved the destruction of holiday decorations, has sparked concerns about religious harmony in the region. The event unfolded on December 24, 2025, at St. Mary's English School in Panigaon village, within Nalbari district. According to police reports, a group of people unlawfully entered the school grounds around mid-afternoon. They proceeded to damage decorative lights, shatter potted plants, and ignite various Christmas items. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence indicate that the perpetrators chanted slogans like "Jai Shree Ram" and "Jai Hindu Rashtra" during the disruption. Similar acts of property damage were reported at nearby shopping areas in Nalbari town over the preceding days, including the burning of festive goods near religious sites and in commercial centers.
The arrested suspects, apprehended on December 25, 2025, have been identified as Bhaskar Deka, who serves as the district secretary for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Nalbari; Manash Jyoti Patgiri, the VHP's district vice-president; Biju Dutta, an assistant secretary for the VHP; and Nayan Talukdar, the district convenor for Bajrang Dal, an affiliate organisation of the VHP. Charges against them include criminal trespass, arson, unlawful assembly, intimidation, and conspiracy under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation, led by local police, continues to explore potential involvement of others, with a case initially filed based on a complaint from the school's principal.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the matter publicly, confirming the swift arrests and emphasising that those responsible for the disruption had been taken into custody. Local opposition leaders, including Congress MLA Debabrata Saikia, called for enhanced safeguards for minority groups and an unbiased inquiry, highlighting prior objections from one of the suspects to the school's holiday events.
This episode in Assam is part of a broader pattern of disturbances targeting Christmas activities across India in 2025, which has drawn sharp criticism from religious leaders and human rights advocates. Reports indicate over 60 such disruptions during the holiday season alone, contributing to a total of more than 2,900 documented cases of anti-Christian actions throughout the year - a significant increase from previous figures. In Kerala, a Christmas carol group faced assault in Palakkad, while in Chhattisgarh, a crowd stormed a mall in Raipur amid similar vandalism. Uttar Pradesh saw widespread cancellations of public Christmas events due to threats, underscoring a climate of apprehension.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has voiced strong disapproval, describing the surge in hostility as an erosion of religious freedom and urging law enforcement to ensure safety during observances. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan labeled these acts as contrary to the nation's secular principles, while international observers have noted the involvement of vigilante groups in escalating tensions. Political figures like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor have framed the issue as an assault on communal coexistence, warning that it affects society at large.
