Violent clashes broke out between two groups at Chhatrapati Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Kiradpura area in Maharashtra on March 29. The attacker targeted unarmed Hindu youths preparing for the Ram Navami procession at Kiradpura Ram mandir. The situation is now under control, but the police claimed a mob of as many as 500 attacked them as well.
As per the media reports, by 12:30 pm on March 29, Hindu youths were present at the temple, preparing for the next day Shobha Yatra. There were police vehicles as well, considering the demography of the area.
Notably, the area has a high Muslim population, but every year a procession is carried out from the Ram Mandir Kiradpura. This year too, the enthusiastic youngsters were preparing for the peaceful procession.
After 12:30, a minor scuffle broke out between a Hindu and a Muslim boy. Soon, hundreds of mobsters assembled in front of the temple and started pelting stones. The attackers also targeted the police vehicles and they set ablaze as many as nine police vans.
As per the locals, the attackers were well equipped with stones, sticks and even petrol bombs.
Nikhil Gupta, Police Commissioner, Chhatrapati Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar said, “A clash broke out between two groups in Chhatrapati Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Kiradpura area Stones were pelted, some private and police vehicles were set on fire. Police used force to disperse the people and now the situation is peaceful. Police will take strict action against the miscreants”.
News Agency ANI posted an update, ‘A clash broke out between two groups in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Kiradpura area. Stones were pelted, some private & police vehicles were set on fire. Police used force to disperse the people and now the situation is peaceful.’
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1641240141816557574?s=20
Some of the visuals making rounds on the internet from the spot can be seen here:
https://twitter.com/mrsinha_/status/1641318051810545664?s=46&t=N75x1GogEBvKQ6ituEphcg
AIMIM’s National Corporator Mohammed Naseeruddin shared a video from inside the Ram Mandir and said “some false news was spread that some miscreants had attacked the temple”. He added that Aurangabad MP Imtiaz Jaleel reached the spot and “appealed not to believe on any rumours and both communities to maintain peace in the city.”
https://twitter.com/naseerCorpGhmc/status/1641223522973523969?s=20
He added, “These miscreants were drug addicts. They didn’t even realize which vehicles were burnt. I request the police to initiate a combing operation on the pretext of this incident. Also, all the perpetrators should be punished, CCTVs should be checked.”
Notably, Hindus around the world are observing Ram Navami today (March 30). It is celebrated as the birthday of Bhagwan Shri Ram. The birth of Ram also marks the end of Chaitra Navaratri. Last week, on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Hindus observed their Nav Varsha.
Chaitra is a holy month for Hindus and such activities by miscreants targeting religious processions are not new to this month. There have been many in the past.
Today hundreds of devotees will take out Shobha Yaatra, commemorating Bhagwan Ram’s birth at different parts of the country. But attacks like these are ruining the festivities.
Authorities in different parts of the country have even banned the DJ processions and normal processions too; targeted curfews are imposed in sensitive areas considering the law and order situations.
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