In a shocking incident in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, an Islamist mob attacked Hindu volunteers participating in an Akshat distribution drive, organised for the pran pratishtha of the Ram Mandir at the revered Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. The clash unfolded during the Shri Ram Pheri in the Somwariya region, turning a peaceful religious event into a violent confrontation.
As the Hindu volunteers proceeded with the Akshat distribution, the yatra took an unfortunate turn near a mosque in the Harraipur region. An Islamist mob confronted the procession, vehemently objecting to the event taking place in the vicinity of their religious site. The situation escalated rapidly, with the mob resorting to stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to several Hindu volunteers.
The attackers allegedly shouted, “This is not a locality of Hindus, do not take out the procession here,” expressing their objection to Shri Ram’s procession in that specific area of the city.
Undeterred, the Hindu volunteers continued the procession, prompting further aggression from the Islamist mob. Witnesses claim that stones were thrown from building rooftops, with even women from Muslim families participating in the stone-pelting. Disturbingly, some Muslim youths reportedly brandished swords, further intensifying the violence against Hindu workers.
Lalit, one of the injured victims, recounted the ordeal, stating that as they chanted “Jai Shri Ram,” the opposing group countered with religious slogans like “Allahu Akbar” and pelted stones at them. They were also equipped with swords, he added. The clash between the two groups continued until the authorities intervened.
“ये हिंदुओं का मोहल्ला नहीं, यहां मत निकालो शोभायात्रा।”
कट्टपंथी मुसलमानों ने श्रीराम यात्रा को मस्जिद के पास रोका, पथराव और तलवार से किया हमला।
मामला मध्यप्रदेश के शाजापुर का। pic.twitter.com/ADlOQFVrSx
— Panchjanya (@epanchjanya) January 9, 2024
Shajapur city’s Kotwal, Brijesh Mishra, addressed the incident, confirming that peace has been restored in the city. He disclosed that a case had been filed based on the available information, with complaints lodged against 24 individuals from the Islamist mob. Additionally, 20 unidentified persons have been booked, with efforts underway to apprehend them.
In response to the attack, members of Hindu organisations staged protests, demanding decisive action against the accused. The aggrieved Hindus are now calling for bulldozer action on the houses from where stones were pelted.
An FIR has been filed against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 147 (Punishment for Rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 294 (Obscene acts and songs), 506 (Criminal intimidation), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 298 (Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), and 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion).
The accused, mostly still at large, are being actively pursued by law enforcement.
