Indore, Dec 27: A Christmas celebration in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore was disrupted on December 25, 2025, after a mob vandalised decorations and a Christmas tree at a public event, police said.
The incident took place at The Hub food street under the Lasudia police station limits. A purported video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, shows two men tearing down a Christmas tree and throwing away decoration items, while members of the group were heard chanting religious slogans, including “Jai Siya Ram”.
Police said an FIR will be registered in connection with the incident.
The Indore episode occurred days after a similar disruption in Jabalpur, where a Christmas event was also allegedly disturbed, triggering criticism from Opposition leaders and civil society groups.
The incidents in Madhya Pradesh are part of a wider pattern of reported vandalism and disruptions targeting Christmas celebrations in several states in the days leading up to the festival. Reports have emerged from Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Delhi, raising concerns over communal harmony.
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a group of 40–50 people allegedly armed with sticks vandalised Christmas decorations at Magneto Mall. Police there have registered cases against unidentified persons for rioting and unlawful assembly.
In Jabalpur, a BJP functionary was allegedly involved in a heated altercation with a visually-impaired woman during a Christmas event. In Assam, activists reportedly damaged Christmas decorations at a school in Nalbari’s Panigaon village, while videos from Uttar Pradesh showed religious slogans being raised near church premises.
Civil society organisations, including the Assam Christian Forum, have demanded the registration of FIRs and strict action against those involved in vandalism and intimidation.
National and international media have highlighted the incidents, noting that they have sparked debate over religious freedom, communal harmony and the safety of Christian communities in India. Authorities in several states said they have stepped up security at churches and Christmas events to prevent further incidents.
