Guwahati: Four persons associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal were arrested on Thursday for allegedly vandalising Christmas decorations at St. Mary’s English School, Panigaon, in Assam’s Nalbari district.
The accused also damaged festive items in shops across Nalbari town, police said.
The incident took place on Wednesday, December 24, when the group allegedly entered the school premises without authorisation and vandalised exterior decorations, including lights and plant pots, with some items set on fire.
The group also targeted several shops and shopping complexes, burning Christmas-related goods near the Jain Mandir and at other locations, police said.
The arrested individuals include VHP Nalbari district secretary Bhaskar Deka, vice-president Manash Jyoti Patgiri, assistant secretary Biju Dutta, and Bajrang Dal district convenor Nayan Talukdar.
Police said the accused reportedly raised “Jai Shree Ram” slogans and warned school authorities against holding Christmas celebrations.
A case has been registered at Belsor Police Station, and investigations are ongoing to identify any additional suspects, police said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the police personnel for their prompt action and asserted that his government was committed to “maintaining peace, communal harmony, and ensuring the safety of all institutions and citizens across the state”.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly condemned the vandalism of Christmas decorations at the school, describing the incident as a serious attack on religious freedom.
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Gogoi underscored that fraternity is enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution and said any act that undermines communal harmony must be dealt with firmly.
