A tense situation unfolded in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, as a Ganesh Chaturthi procession was met with stone-pelting, allegedly aimed at disrupting the peace and celebrations of the Hindu community. The incident occurred as devotees were transporting the murti of Bhagwan Ganesh to a pandal for sthapna when the procession came under attack near the Mochipura area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the first stone struck the murti itself, with subsequent stones hitting police vehicles that were escorting the procession. The police have lodged multiple FIRs against both the accused and the victim parties, citing disruption of peace and harmony. As of now, three individuals have been arrested, and a complaint has been filed against approximately 150 unidentified individuals.
Protest and subsequent unrest
The incident sparked an immediate reaction from the local community. On Saturday (September 7) night, over 500 people gathered outside the Station Road police station, raising slogans and demanding action against the stone pelters. The police initially attempted to pacify the crowd and later registered an FIR against unknown persons. Following this, police teams, led by SP Rahul Kumar Lodha, proceeded to the Mochipura area to investigate.
Tensions in Ratlam, MP:
Yesterday, Hindus were taking murti of Ganesh ji to a pandal in Mochipura area. However, the procession met with stone pelting with first stone hitting the murti.
Soon, stones started coming from all around, one of them even hitting police vehicle.… pic.twitter.com/zGoQFmBrRp
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) September 8, 2024
As the investigating officers arrived at the scene, the protesting crowd also converged, demanding accountability. SP Lodha tried to calm the situation and urged people to return home, but tensions escalated when someone in the crowd threw another stone, prompting retaliation. Stones were exchanged, further escalating the situation.
A stone hit a police vehicle, shattering its glass, which led the police to use mild force to disperse the crowd and prevent the situation from worsening. As a precautionary measure, a large police force was deployed across Ratlam, with additional contingents of security forces called in to maintain peace.
Details of the incident
According to the FIR, the incident occurred on Saturday around 8:30 pm. Puja committee members were transporting the Ganesh murti from Khetalpur to Mehndikui Balaji via Hathikhan Mochipura when the procession was attacked. The procession included women and children, heightening concerns over the safety of the participants.
City SP Abhinav Barange confirmed that there were reports of stone-pelting, with some participants stating they were directly targeted. To verify these claims, the police reviewed CCTV footage from the area. “At present, a case has been registered, and the situation is currently under control,” SP Barange stated.
Allegations of conspiracy and community tensions
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which participated in the protest, alleged that the stone-pelting was a premeditated attempt to disrupt Hindu festivities in areas with a Muslim population. They accused “fundamentalists” of trying to stop Hindu programs, specifically in Mochipura. Police filed an FIR against unidentified persons on Saturday night, but the crowd of protesters continued to swell at the police station.
Despite efforts by SP Lodha to disperse the crowd, the situation further deteriorated, leading to more stone-pelting and police intervention. The unrest began around 8:30 pm and continued until midnight, necessitating the deployment of additional police teams from Jaora town in Ratlam and Dhar district.
Ongoing investigation and arrests
On Sunday (September 8) morning, SP Lodha clarified that no conclusive evidence had been found confirming the stone-pelting on the Ganesh murti. The police questioned three complainants, including transgender activist Kajal and local residents Lakhan Rajwaniya, who reportedly gave conflicting accounts of the incident.
The police have registered a case against 13 named individuals and 150 others for rioting and incitement to violence. The named individuals include Kajal, Lakhan, Ravi Sharma, Mahendra Solanki, Jalaj Sankhla, Ravi Sen, Vijay Prajapati, Nitesh, Mukesh Banjara, Manthan Bhonsle, Aman Jain, Jaydeep Gurjar, and Aju Bargunda. These individuals are accused of inciting the crowd, causing a disturbance, and vandalising vehicles. Jalaj Sankhla, one of those named, is the district vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).
Late Saturday night, police arrested Lakhan, Kajal, and Solanki, while two others, Mukesh Banjara and Aju Bargunda, were detained on Sunday. The police are continuing their investigation to identify more suspects and ensure that peace is maintained in the city.
Current status
The situation in Ratlam remains tense but under control, with heavy police deployment across the city to prevent any further unrest. Authorities have assured the public that they are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to maintaining law and order during the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
