'This is Hindu rashtra. You can't sell Christian items here': Men harass Santa hat sellers in Odisha

In the viral video, a man tells the sellers: 'Being Hindus, how can you do this? Wrap up quickly and go away from here. If you have to sell anything, sell Lord Jagannath's merchandise.' (Image credit: @error040290/X)

A group of men in Odisha has allegedly been harassing and bullying poor roadside vendors selling Santa hats ahead of Christmas, claiming that the state was a "Hindu rashtra" where the sale of "Christian items" were no longer allowed. A video of the incident, which is now viral, shows the men asking the sellers where they were from and if they were Hindus.

When the sellers told them that they were indeed Hindus but were selling Santa hats because they were poor, the man replied, "Here, only Lord Jagannath can rule. Being Hindus, how can you do this? Wrap up quickly and go away from here. If you have to sell anything, sell Lord Jagannath's merchandise."

When a couple of sellers said they had come from Rajasthan, the men said they had no problems with them selling their wares in Odisha as long as they were not peddling Christian artifacts.

A poor mam was selling Santa caps for Christmas

A fringe goon came , started threatening and abusing him while saying that this is Hindu Rashtra, We will not let anyone celebrate Christian festivals. Welcome to New Odisha under BJP. pic.twitter.com/Ff85rR47Va — Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) December 22, 2025

The video ignited a wave of outrage among social media users who attributed the rise of right-wing nationalism and jingoism to the 2024 election of a BJP government in the state.

This is BJP's idea of New India: Netizens

"When you expect foreigners to celebrate Hindu festivals, then why can't you allow your own people to celebrate their festivals? Whatever caste or religion that boy belongs to, he is not selling those things to show off his money like you, but to feed himself and his family," commented an X user. "

"If he is that sure of his position, he should go to shopping malls and retail stores, and try to stop them from selling X'Mas paraphernalia," said another user. "Harassing innocent people trying to make a living - what a rotten lot you have wrought, the sick sanghi/BJP ecosystem."

"Shocking to see this happening in Odisha. Of course, now with the BJP in power, the playbook will be similar," commented a third while another user pointed out, "India is a secular country, not a mob-ruled theocracy. Harassing a poor man for selling Santa caps is unconstitutional, immoral, and un-Indian. This is BJP’s idea of 'New India'."