Odisha witnessed a fresh controversy ahead of Christmas after a viral video showed a group of men allegedly bullying poor street vendors for selling Santa hats, declaring that the state is a ‘Hindu rashtra’ where ‘Christian items’ should not be sold. In the clip, widely shared on X, Facebook and Instagram, the men question the vendors’ religion and place of origin—some say they have come from Rajasthan and identify as Hindus—and order them to shut shop, insisting they should only sell merchandise linked to Lord Jagannath instead of Christmas‑themed products.
“This is Hindu rashtra… sell Lord Jagannath items”
In the video, one of the men is heard telling a vendor, “This is Hindu rashtra. You can’t sell Christian items here. Being Hindus, how can you do this? Wrap up quickly and go away from here.” He adds that if the vendors wish to continue, they should sell merchandise related to Lord Jagannath because “here, only Lord Jagannath can rule.”
The vendors, some from Rajasthan, repeatedly explain that they are Hindus and are selling Santa hats only to earn a livelihood during the festive season, not to promote any religion. Despite their pleas and visible discomfort, the men continue pressuring them to stop selling Christmas-themed products, framing the hats as “Christian artefacts.”
Social media backlash and questions on New India
Once the video went viral, social media users sharply criticised the behaviour, calling it harassment of poor street vendors and an attack on religious freedom. Many linked the incident to rising majoritarian assertiveness, questioning how a country that seeks tourists to celebrate Indian festivals can deny its own citizens the right to participate in Christmas celebrations.
Comments described the episode as symptomatic of an intolerant climate where “innocent people trying to make a living” are targeted instead of large commercial establishments that also sell Christmas decorations. Some users blamed what they termed a “sanghi/BJP ecosystem” for emboldening such vigilantism, arguing that harassment of small traders contradicts the government’s narrative of economic empowerment.
Vendors’ livelihood concerns and lack of official response
According to reports accompanying the video, the vendors were selling low-cost Santa hats and festive accessories from makeshift roadside stalls, relying on seasonal sales to support their families. They can be heard calmly telling the men that they are poor and simply trying to earn an income, yet they are still ordered to pack up their goods and move, effectively depriving them of a day’s earnings.
As of the latest updates, there has been no formal statement from state authorities on the incident, even as rights groups and citizens demand action against those seen intimidating the sellers. Legal experts note that such harassment can attract provisions related to criminal intimidation and promoting enmity, particularly when linked to religious identity and public spaces.
Wider debate on religious tolerance and street vendors’ rights
The episode has reignited debate over the safety and rights of street vendors, who are often among the most marginalised in urban economies and yet are frequently targeted during moral or religious policing drives. Civil society voices stress that India’s constitutional framework protects freedom of occupation and religion, and that seasonal sales of Christmas or other festival items are a legitimate part of the country’s plural cultural landscape. For the full video report and detailed coverage, read this Times of India article here.
Advocates are urging the Odisha government to publicly condemn the harassment, ensure protection for vendors of all faiths and backgrounds, and take credible legal action so that similar incidents are not repeated in future festive seasons.
For more impactful updates and breaking developments from the state, visit our dedicated Top Odisha News section.
