Violence Against Migrants and Christmas Celebrations in India: A Week of Tension

This article highlights a series of troubling incidents in India, including the lynching of a migrant worker in Odisha, vandalism of Christmas decorations in Chhattisgarh, and the return of Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh after years in exile. It also covers the killing of a key Maoist leader in Odisha, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region. Read on for a detailed overview of these significant events.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 19:45 IST

Migrant Labourer Lynched in Odisha

A migrant worker from Murshidabad district in West Bengal was brutally killed in Sambalpur, Odisha, on Wednesday. Authorities have apprehended six individuals in connection with this murder.

Family and colleagues of the victim, Jewel Sheikh, claimed he was attacked due to suspicions of him being an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. However, the Odisha Police refuted these claims, stating that the victim and the accused were acquaintances.

The incident occurred in the Shantinagar area as Jewel Sheikh and fellow construction workers were heading home after their shift. Two other workers, Akir Sheikh and Palash Sheikh, sustained injuries during the attack and were taken to a hospital in Sambalpur.

Attacks on Christmas Celebrations in Chhattisgarh

In a troubling incident, a mob vandalized Christmas decorations at a shopping mall in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. This act was part of a series of assaults on Christians and disruptions to Christmas festivities over the past week.

Footage from the Raipur incident showed a group armed with sticks entering the Magneto Mall and destroying decorations just a day before Christmas. Hindutva groups had organized a statewide strike to protest what they claimed were illegal religious conversions in the region.

In Uttar Pradesh, members of Hindutva groups gathered outside a church in Bareilly, chanting religious slogans. Meanwhile, in Assam, members of the Bajrang Dal invaded a school in Nalbari district, damaging Christmas decorations and tearing down posters.

Tarique Rahman's Return to Bangladesh

Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile. He is seen as a significant contender for the prime ministerial position in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February.

Upon his arrival in Dhaka, Rahman shared his vision for the nation at a rally, referencing the words of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. He also spoke about the recent killing of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, emphasizing the need for citizens to reclaim their economic rights.

While in exile in London, Rahman faced multiple legal challenges, including a conviction for money laundering, which were annulled following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

Maoist Leader Killed in Odisha

In a significant development, Ganesh Uike, a prominent Maoist leader with a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head, was killed during a confrontation with security forces in Kandhamal district, Odisha. Three other suspected Maoists also lost their lives in the encounter, which took place in a forested area near the Chakapad police station.

Uike was the leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Odisha. The identities of the other deceased individuals have yet to be confirmed.

The Union government has pledged to eradicate Maoism by March 31, 2026. This year, several key Maoist figures, including Uike, have been eliminated, while others have surrendered to authorities.

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