Six Bajrang Dal Accused Walk Free on Bail, Greeted with Hero’s Welcome in Raipur.

Bajrang Dal Members Receive Hero’s Welcome After Detting Bail in Raipur Mall Vandalism Case on Christmas Eve.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Raipur | Jan 4, 2026: Raipur witnessed renewed political and social debate after six members of the Bajrang Dal, arrested for allegedly vandalising Christmas decorations at a prominent shopping mall, were given a celebratory reception following their release on bail. The development has reignited discussions on law and order, religious tensions, and the contentious issue of Christian conversions in Chhattisgarh.

The six men were arrested in connection with the December 24 incident at Magneto Mall, one of Raipur’s busiest commercial hubs. On that day, a group of individuals damaged Christmas-themed installations, including Santa Claus figures, amid a state-wide shutdown called by several Hindu organisations protesting alleged religious conversions by Christian churches and evangelical groups.

CCTV footage and mobile videos of the incident later went viral on social media, showing a group forcefully entering the mall premises and vandalising decorations. The visuals prompted swift police action, leading to the arrest of several Bajrang Dal members. Authorities maintained that the vandalism disrupted public order and damaged private property.

After spending five days in judicial custody, the accused were granted bail by a sessions court on January 1. Their release was followed by a dramatic welcome outside the jail, where Bajrang Dal supporters greeted them with garlands, sweets, firecrackers, and devotional chants of “Raghu Pati Raghav Raja Ram.” The celebration culminated in a procession, during which the six men were lifted onto the shoulders of supporters and paraded through nearby areas.

The public celebration drew sharp reactions from civil society groups and opposition leaders, who questioned the message such events send regarding accountability and the rule of law. Critics argued that glorifying accused individuals could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Defending the reception, Bajrang Dal leader Ravi Vadhwani stated that the welcome was neither inappropriate nor unlawful. He claimed the six men had been falsely implicated and denied any involvement in the vandalism.

“In the videos that surfaced, the mob had their faces covered while damaging the decorations. Those individuals belonged to Sarva Hindu Samaj, not Bajrang Dal. Our members do not cover their faces,” Vadhwani said. He further added that the event was organised to boost the morale of long-time members who, according to him, have been associated with the organisation for more than a decade.

The case has remained in the public eye since the arrests. On December 29, a magistrate court had denied bail to the accused, triggering protests by Bajrang Dal supporters outside the Telibandha police station. The demonstration reportedly caused traffic disruptions in the area for several hours, further intensifying scrutiny of the group’s activities.

During the celebratory programme following the bail order, Bajrang Dal activists and participating Hindu groups reportedly took a collective vow to resist what they described as Christian conversion drives and alleged false faith-healing programmes. Speakers at the event accused certain organisations of targeting economically vulnerable Hindu and tribal communities by exploiting poverty and lack of awareness—claims that Christian groups have consistently denied.

As investigations continue, the incident underscores the growing religious and ideological fault lines in the state, raising critical questions about communal harmony, freedom of faith, and the enforcement of law in a deeply polarised social environment.

_Inputs from CNN – News 18.