Satnami protest turns violent in Chhattisgarh: Collector’s office set ablaze in Baloda Bazar

Thousands of members of the Satnami community surrounded the Collector’s Office in Baloda Bazar on Monday (June 10) in a protest that escalated dramatically. The demonstration turned violent as the uncontrollable crowd set fire to the Collector’s Office, along with the District Panchayat building and the Tehsil office. Attempts by the police to intervene led to violent clashes, resulting in injuries to several officers.

The Satnami community had been agitated for weeks due to the vandalism of the ‘Jaitkham’, a sacred symbol for them, in Mahkoni village, Giroudpuri. Despite police detaining several suspects, the community was dissatisfied with the administration’s response. This frustration culminated in Monday’s massive protest.

Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 Satnami community members gathered at the Collector’s Office. When negotiations failed, protestors broke through security barricades and entered the premises, assaulting the police officers on duty. The angry crowd set fire to the office and several administrative vehicles parked outside.

In response to the community’s demands, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma announced a judicial inquiry into the vandalism at Jaitkham. However, the Satnami community continues to call for a CBI investigation into the incident.

Chhattisgarh is home to millions of Satnami community members, with many villages around Raipur hosting their religious sites. The Jaitkham is a revered symbol for the community, worshipped daily and established in over 100 locations in Raipur alone, each adorned with a white flag.

The district police had arrested three suspects related to the vandalism, but the Satnami community believed the wrong individuals were detained. This led to the large-scale protest and subsequent clashes with the police, resulting in fires that destroyed important documents from various departments and several motorcycles.

The Satnami community, following the teachings of their founder Baba Guru Ghasidas, who preached unity and brotherhood, remains deeply angered by the mid-May vandalism at the Mahkoni Temple complex, a central site of their faith. Despite police action, the community’s demand for a CBI investigation persists.

Home Minister Vijay Sharma has assured a thorough judicial inquiry and emphasized that any actions disrupting social harmony will not be tolerated. He has appealed for calm and unity, posting about the issue on his X (formerly Twitter) account.