On January 22, Bhagwan Ram’s triumphant return to the grand mandir in Ayodhya was marked with exuberant celebrations by Hindus and devotees of all faiths. The joyous homecoming was adorned with processions, illuminations, devotional songs, and various festivities reminiscent of Deepawali. However, amidst the festivities, certain disruptive elements in society attempted to disturb the harmony, leading to attacks on peaceful processions nationwide.
This report highlights fifteen reported instances across Bharat following the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
Maharashtra
In a shocking turn of events during the nationwide celebrations of the Ram Mandir Pran Prathishtha in Ayodhya, a clash ensued between members of the Hindu community and an Islamist mob at Mira Road in Mumbai on the evening of January 21.
As the Hindu community engaged in a spirited procession through Mira Road, adorned with flags of Bhagwan Ram and Bhagwan Hanuman on their vehicles and chanting the slogan “Jai Shri Ram,” the procession was abruptly interrupted by an attack from an Islamist mob. Witnesses reported that the attackers used sticks and rods, targeting the participants, damaging vehicles, and desecrating religious flags.
The local authorities were promptly notified, leading to the deployment of a substantial police force to restore law and order in the area. Calls for the apprehension of the culprits grew louder following the assault on the Hindu community. Shockingly, even women participating in the procession were not spared from the aggression.
Similar attacks were launched in Panvel and Sambhaji Nagar.
Gujarat
In a disturbing turn of events, a Shri Ram procession in Bhoj village of Padra district, Vadodara, faced an attack with stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to several devotees, including women. The incident occurred following the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla in the grand Ram Mandir of Ayodhya, triggering processions from village to village to commemorate the auspicious occasion.
This incident closely follows a similar one in Kheralu, Mehsana, just 24 hours prior, where stones were pelted near a mosque on a Hindu procession passing through a Muslim area. In response, an FIR has been filed against a total of 32 individuals, leading to the arrest of 15.
Uttar Pradesh
A disturbance unfolded during the divine procession of Bhagwan Ram in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, leading to heightened tensions between the two communities. Fortunately, the timely intervention of the police successfully quelled the situation.
It is noteworthy that the entire incident transpired within the jurisdiction of the Kasaya police station.
Reports indicate that stone-pelting occurred during the altercation, resulting in damage to a motorcycle and injuries to several individuals. However, these claims have been refuted by the police. The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Kushinagar affirmed that four individuals have been apprehended, showcasing the police’s alertness in handling the situation. Legal measures are being pursued to uphold peace at the scene.
The city of Azamgarh was under heightened vigilance in anticipation of the Pran Pratishtha program at the Ram Mandir. Subsequently, a disturbance unfolded on the evening of January 22, in the town within the Jehanabad police station jurisdiction of the district, coinciding with the majestic procession of Bhagwan Rama.
Reports indicate an attempt to reroute the grand procession were made, including paths through Baghaicha and other areas with a diverse demographic. During this episode, Islamists descended in substantial numbers onto the streets, impeding the grand procession and silencing the accompanying DJ music. This led to a face-to-face confrontation between individuals from both sides. The police on the scene encountered a challenging situation, notably observing batons in the hands of those obstructing the procession.
Throughout the standoff, both groups engaged in a confrontation, while the police endeavoured to regain control of the situation. Following several hours of negotiation, esteemed representatives from both factions were called upon by the police for discussions.
Bihar
Some antisocial elements engaged in stone-pelting, causing significant disruptions in Bhapura village of Darbhanga district in Bihar. The incident unfolded within the jurisdiction of the Singhwara police station, leading to damage to the procession and injuries to several individuals.
Islamists targeted the Hindu procession, causing severe harm to two motorcycles and a DJ music vehicle. The sudden eruption of violence created chaos among the devotees participating in the procession, resulting in widespread panic. In an attempt to safeguard themselves, people scattered in all directions, exacerbating the situation.
Upon receiving information, law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, confronting the Islamists. The supporters of the grand procession, who had assembled in substantial numbers, expressed their anger vehemently.
On January 22, a heated dispute erupted between Hindus and Muslims in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, leading to intense stone-pelting from both sides. The incident unfolded in the jurisdiction of the Majhaulia police station area, where Islamists initiated stone-pelting at youths participating in a Hindu religious procession, sparking widespread chaos. Fleeing for their safety, the youth scattered from the scene.
According to reports, the Islamists not only engaged in stone-pelting at the participating youth but also targeted several houses. Additionally, there were reports of attacks with swords. The spectacle of the religious procession turned tumultuous as people from surrounding houses began hurling stones, escalating the confrontation. Swords were used to attack gates at several houses, further intensifying the situation.
Upon receiving information, the police swiftly intervened to control the agitated crowd. The local residents, fueled by anger, also resorted to stone-pelting. The clash resulted in a tense stand-off between the two groups, with both sides exchanging projectiles.
Karnataka
In Shivamogga, Karnataka, during the celebration of the consecration of the Ram Mandir, a woman infiltrated the gathering of Hindu devotees and raised slogans of “Allahu Akbar.” She also made provocative statements, attempting to agitate the crowd. The police promptly detained the woman.
According to reports, Hindu activists had gathered in Shivamogga to celebrate the consecration of Lord Rama’s idol at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The event was taking place at Shivappa Nayak Circle in Shivamogga, where Hindu devotees had assembled, chanting slogans of “Jai Shri Ram.” The police removed the woman from the scene and took her into custody.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shivamogga stated, “Hindu activists were preparing prasad for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple at Shivappa Nayak Circle. During this, the woman arrived, took photos, and began chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ while making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Modi. In response, Hindu activists chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Observing the deteriorating situation, the police removed the woman from the spot and took her to the police station.”
On January 23, Karnataka Police heightened security in Belagavi City following a clash between Islamists and Hindu groups, which involved stone-pelting. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Bazaar Police Station. According to the police, Hindu youth organised a rally on Monday marking Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Suddenly, the group came under attack with stones. In response, the participants in the rally retaliated. Subsequently, the police intervened, resorting to a baton charge to bring the situation under control.
Jharkhand
In Giridih, Jharkhand, three incidents of tension have come to light, resulting in multiple injuries. The first incident occurred near the Line Mosque in the city, and the second incident took place in Purnanagar, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Mufassil Police Station area. Stone-pelting between two communities ensued, causing minor injuries to several individuals. They were admitted to Sadar Hospital in Giridih for treatment. Giridih SP Deepak Kumar Sharma confirmed both incidents and mentioned that heavy security forces have been deployed at both locations. Immediate action has been taken, and a person named Mohammad Jabir has been arrested in connection with the Giridih incident.
In another incident in Giridih, an RSS swayamsevak, Rohit Mahato from Azad Nagar, was brutally attacked during a procession related to the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. He sustained serious injuries and was hospitalised.
In the Kairo Police Station area of Lohardaga, tensions flared during an event celebrating the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. A clash occurred near the Bajrang Bali Temple, where a group proceeding from the Ram Mandir to the Bajrang Bali Mandir was confronted by another community. Stone-pelting started, causing injuries to many.
In Tundi, Dhanbad, tension erupted on Sunday, followed by clashes during a procession in Chatra on Monday evening. Several people were injured in both incidents, leading to written complaints filed at the Tundi Police Station.
West Bengal
A heated confrontation unfolded at Jadavpur University in Kolkata on January 22, between members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) over the live screening of the Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha event.
According to reports, the ABVP had not obtained permission to organise the live screening on the university campus, citing ongoing exams. Despite this, ABVP members gathered in the union room, chanting the name of Lord Ram, and proceeded to watch the live broadcast of the Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha. ABVP leader Saptarshi Sarkar stated, “Apart from the ABVP members and students, some staff of the university were also present. The program will continue till evening.”
The unauthorised gathering drew the attention of security guards, led by pro-Vice-Chancellor Amitava Datta, who attempted to intervene. This intervention resulted in a scuffle between ABVP members and security personnel, leading to injuries.
Subsequently, members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) arrived at the scene and clashed with ABVP members. The tense situation was eventually brought under control by university security guards.
In response to the incident, all university gates were locked, and access to the campus was restricted, barring students involved in semester exams.
Notably, January 22 marked Diwali-like celebrations nationwide as Shri Ram Lalla returned to his birthplace after a wait of five centuries. The construction of the Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi, which was demolished in 1528, has been a contentious issue. Following nearly 500 years of struggle and over 30 years of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Ram Lalla, designating the disputed land to construct the Ram Mandir and allocating 5 acres for Muslims to build a mosque.
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