Jharkhand: Masked mob coming out of Iftar targeted temple; VHP accuses administration of inaction against miscreants

In the aftermath of violent clashes that occurred in Jamshedpur on April 9, 2023, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has alleged that a masked mob came out from an Iftar Party to target a temple.

As per media reports, the incident occurred in the Shastri Nagar area of Jamshedpur. Religious slogans were shouted during the attack on Hindus.

It is believed that the Iftar Party was organised by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The political party to which Shibu Soren, the CM of Jharkhand belongs.

On April 8, 2023, a piece of meat was tied to a Hindu religious flag. The Hindu Organisations stated that the flag was desecrated and demanded strict action against the offenders.

Reportedly, a violent mob targeted a temple and engaged in acts of arson and stone pelting against two shops nearby. An auto-rickshaw was also set ablaze.

As a consequence, a significant police detachment has been deployed and Section -144 has been imposed in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Internet and mobile services have been temporarily suspended.

The Hindu Organisations have accused the administration of taking one-sided action.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jharkhand said that some people have been detained and the situation is under control. Additionally, the District Collector appealed to the people, that no one must propagate misleading and provocative remarks on social media.

The Hindus were told not to involve DJs etc on Ram Navami, The DJ units were seized by the police.

On April 9, 2023, Sanjeev Kumar, a VHP karyakarta of Jamshedpur, said that two JMM Pawan Kumar and Babban Rai had organized an iftar party in the locality adjacent to the temple that was targeted during the violence.

He further claims that the crowd that came out of this Iftar party, wearing masks on their faces, pelted stones at the temple and later set fire to the nearby shops.

Speaking to media-persons, Sanjeev Kumar accused the administration of one-sided action. He said that the district administration had warned Hindus not to play DJ etc. on Ram Navami. DJ units were also seized. On Saturday, the meat bag was hung on the flag of the temple.