In yet another attempt to disrupt communal harmony, a Ganesh puja pandal was attacked in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on the night of September 10. According to reports, 20-25 Islamists surrounded the puja pandal, installed outside the house of a resident, and began pelting stones while chanting slogans of “Allahu Akbar.”
As per a copy of the complaint obtained by Organiser, Kiran Chourasiya, wife of Pradeep Chourasiya, stated to the police, “On September 7, I did the sthapna of Ganesh Ji at my house in a small pandal like every year. The locals would assemble around 7-7:30 every day to perform the arti. However, at the same time, the local Islamists, in numbers around 20–25, would gather and began raising provocative slogans like ‘Allahu Akbar’ among others, and then leave.”
On September 10, while the Chourasiya family was performing arti, “20-25 Islamists started pelting stones, desecrating the murti and hurting religious sentiments,” Kiran said in her complaint. She also alleged that the accused Islamists threatened her family, saying, “We will do this again if you go to the police.”
Following the complaint, the Chinhat police registered a case against 20-25 unidentified Islamists and arrested one suspect, whose name has yet to be disclosed.
Reports indicate that after receiving information about the stone-pelting incident, a crowd gathered nearby and began to create a ruckus. Although the police attempted to calm the crowd, the people were insistent on demanding action against the perpetrators.
Pradeep Chourasiya, Kiran’s husband, shared in a video statement, “There was a bhandara at the Hanuman temple in our street on Tuesday. I went to the temple. My wife and children were at home when 20-25 people came. They raised slogans of ‘Allahu Akbar,’ pelted stones at the pandal, and disrupted the puja. If you cannot worship God at home, then where else will you go to worship? Strict action should be taken against those who throw stones,” he questioned.
Ganesh Pandal Attacked in Lucknow
Islamists pelted stones at Ganesh Pandal at Chinhat Kotwali area amidst slogans of ‘Allahu Akbar’
Case registered, one of the accused arrested. @Uppolice pic.twitter.com/XlqrSg4yFH
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) September 11, 2024
Commenting on the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shashank Singh stated, “Kiran Chaurasia of Ganga Vihar Colony complained at the police station. Some boys tried to disrupt the Ganesh puja. Taking cognisance of the incident, officers went to the spot.”
He further added, “A case has been registered. There is peace at the spot. There is no problem of any kind. Initial investigation has revealed that people from a particular community carried out the incident. Strict action will be taken against the accused.”
