On June 24, Bhilwara police detained six minors and arrested six Muslim men in connection with an attack on Swayamsevaks. The incident occurred on June 23 at Gandhi Park, where the Swayamsevaks had gathered for their regular Shakha activities.
According to the First Information Report (FIR number 207/2024) filed at the Bhimganj police station by Vijay Soni, a Swayamsevak, the attack took place between 6 and 7 pm. Soni reported that 7-8 Swayamsevaks were present in the park when a Muslim boy named Arman arrived with a group of over 20-25 individuals armed with cricket bats, stumps, and other weapons. The group then assaulted the Swayamsevaks.
Soni, who was nearby with Devendra Hada, received a call about the incident and rushed to the park. As more people began to gather, the attackers fled the scene.
Muslim mob attacked RSS Swayamsevaks in Bhilwara, Rajasthan:
RSS Swayamsevaks organised a Shakha at Gandhi Park in Bhilwara, where around 20-25 Islamists began attacking them. Soon, a mob arrived as if it was a pre-planned attack to disrupt the Shakha.
Based on the complaint of… pic.twitter.com/zcKpjZLFU1
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) June 24, 2024
Based on Soni’s complaint, the accused were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
The arrested individuals have been identified as Aman, son of Abid Hussain; Ayyan, son of Khalid; Abid Hussain, son of Abdul Gaffar; Mohammad Rafiq, son of Mohammad Salim; Israt Ali, son of Ayyub Ali; and Shahid Khan, son of Pappu Khan.
Speaking with Organiser on June 26, Soni, who is the Nagar Karywah, revealed that two boys were attacked, one of whom is a minor and the son of the Jila Karywah. The other victim, 19-year-old Parth Chouhan, the Shakha Karyawah, sustained injuries to his neck. Both victims were hospitalised for two days following the brutal attack.
Soni stated that this is not the first incident of its kind, as the Shakha has faced numerous attacks in the past.
He mentioned that over 15 such assaults have occurred at the Shakha in Gandhi Park, primarily driven by the resentment of local Islamists. According to Soni, they are agitated by the fact that Hindus gather in an area with over 40 per cent Muslim population, chant Sangathan Mantra, and discuss about Dharma and Hindu values every day.
“Every time the number of Swayamsevaks in the Shakha exceeds five, they attack,” Soni explained. Despite this, the daily attendance at the Shakha currently exceeds 15 people.
When asked if they would continue to gather despite the attack, Soni affirmed their resolve. He mentioned that they recently held a Nagar Ekatrikaran, which only increased the number of participants in the Shakha.
Rajasthan has witnessed its second such attack on Hindus within a week.
In Sursagar, Jodhpur, a violent clash erupted between an Islamist mob and the Hindu community over an illegal construction on disputed land. The tensions escalated dramatically when members of the Muslim community began hurling stones, sparking retaliation and leading to hours of riotous unrest.
Amidst the chaos, a shop was set ablaze, further intensifying the volatile situation. Realising the gravity of the situation, the police urgently called for reinforcements and eventually managed to bring the situation under control after a prolonged struggle.
The root of the recent clashes lies in a longstanding agreement made 15 years ago between the Hindu and Muslim communities concerning the disputed land. The conflict reignited when the Muslim side violated this agreement by commencing illegal construction activities at the gate of Eidgah located in Rajaram circle. In response, the Hindu community opposed these actions, leading to a violent confrontation and escalating tensions.
