A Hindu family was attacked during a Muharram procession near Sardarganj Chowk in Dalsinghsarai, Bihar, on July 14. While initial media reports suggested that the incident stemmed from a clash between two groups, the family insists that the attack was deliberate and unprovoked.
According to police reports, a disturbance began when two groups of Islamists created a ruckus while participating in the Muharram procession. The mob shattered the glass panes of several vehicles, escalating the situation further.
#Bihar | Some Islamists, part of the Tajya Procession on the occasion of #Muharram allegedly attacked a Hindu family with swords and vandalised their car
The family was passing through that area pic.twitter.com/r7ZtpdUbp3
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 15, 2024
Amitesh Kumar, a resident of Basoli, Madhubani, was driving through Nawada Sardarganj Chowk with his wife, Sadhna Kumari, and their son when their car was attacked. Amitesh stated that some individuals from the Muharram procession assaulted his car with a sword, shattering the glass and injuring his young son.
Describing the attack, Amitesh Kumar said, “I was driving slowly, on the side, not obstructing the procession. Suddenly, they pulled out swords and attacked our car from all sides. My son, who was in the back seat, got injured.”
Amitesh and his wife identified some of the attackers, noting, “They attacked us without any reason. We recognised them very well. When they are caught, it will be understood why they attacked.”
The chaos around Sardarganj Chowk caused passersby and other drivers to flee the scene. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vivek Kumar Sharma commented on the incident, explaining that the altercation between the two local groups started over carrying soil.
He confirmed that Amitesh Kumar’s car was caught in the crossfire. DSP Sharma assured that an FIR had been registered and that CCTV footage was being reviewed to identify the culprits. “Strict action will be taken against the accused,” he stated.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Amitesh Kumar expressed frustration over the delayed response from authorities. “We called the administration several times, but no one came. It feels like a major mishap could have happened, and there’s no accountability,” he lamented.
In a similar incident reported in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, a group of Islamists reportedly chanted slogans of “Hindustan mein rehna hai, Ya Hussain kehna hai” (If you want to live in India, you have to say ‘Ya Hussain’) outside the Musafirkhana Police Station in Amethi. The slogans were raised during a Muharram procession, and a video of the incident has since gone viral on social media.
#Amethi |
“Hindustan mein rehna hai to Ya Hussain kehna hai” (If you want to live in India, you have to say Ya Hussain)
These slogans were raised outside a police station during the #Muharram procession pic.twitter.com/dZbdGLzPfR
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 15, 2024
Police have registered an FIR in the matter and detained some suspects.
As tensions remain high, authorities continue to investigate both incidents, aiming to restore peace and order in the affected areas.
