September 15, marked the last day of the auspicious Shravan month which was two months long and fell almost after 19 years; commemorating Adhik Shravan Mas. However, the last day of the Shravan was devastating for the Hindu residents of Kehda in Gujarat as a Nuh-like attack took place in the town. Marking the auspicious day, Hindus carried out a procession in the city which witnessed stone pelting. Reports have claimed that the stones were hurled form a Madarsa.
The procession was called ‘Shiv Shakti Yatra’ and was organised by Vijaydasji Maharaj. The attack is said to have happened at around 3 pm on September 15. Only after the intervention of the police, the situtation was taken under control.
As per the details available, every year on the final day of the Shravan month, local Hindus take out a procession honouring Bhagwan Shiva. According to the itinerary, the procession began at around 1 in the afternoon and was joined by a lot of people. When the procession arrived at the municipal square at around 3 p.m., devotees were attacked with stones from a neighbouring Madarsa. The Hindu procession participants were compelled to leave the yatra in the middle and run for their lives. A scene like a stampede erupted as many individuals frantically ran for cover.
As per the officials, while taking the situation under control as many as three police officials were injured. Two of them were officers and one PSI. The details about the locals and participants of the yatra getting hurt is yet to be revealed.
As of now, the police dispersed the devotees and the mob who were pelting stones, further investigation will lead to their identification and arrest, as of now, no one has been arrested.
According to Kheda district police chief Rajesh Garhia, when the yatra was about to end, miscreants threw bricks and stones, injuring several people, including three police officers. He added that an adequate police force had been deployed in the region and that additional officers had been called in from neighbouring divisions.
According to Rajesh Garhia, the situation has been brought under control, and police presence has been increased in communally sensitive areas. He further stated that any anti-social elements involved in this act would not be spared. A search is currently underway to find the accused.
It is pertinent to mention that, this is not the only incident in the Kehda town where Hindu procession has been attacked by an Islamist mob. Last year, the same town witnessed attacks on the Navratari procession, by a mob led by Zahir and Arif.
Prior to this, it was reported how a Muslim teacher in Kheda had made students beat their chests and chant ‘Ya Hussein’ in Muharram-style mourning instead of performing Garba during the Navratri celebration.
There have also been reports where Muslim men have tried to enter Navratri venue under fake names. Reports have also emerged where in some areas local Muslims have opposed the celebration of Navratri.
