A violent confrontation erupted late night on, September 17, when stones were hurled at a Ganpati immersion procession in Bhiwandi, leading to significant communal tensions and injuries. The incident occurred as a large Ganpati murti from Ghughat Nagar was being transported to the Nadinaka Kamwari River for immersion.
The procession was progressing peacefully until it reached the vicinity of the Hindustani Mosque at Vanjarpatti Naka. At this point, individuals from the crowd reportedly began throwing stones at the murti, causing substantial damage. This aggressive act led to a confrontation between the procession participants and local residents, escalating into a violent clash.
According to eyewitnesses and reports, the Ganpati immersion procession, which had started without any issues, was abruptly disrupted when stones were thrown from the direction of the Hindustani Mosque. The attack resulted in damage to the Ganpati murti and provoked outrage among the procession participants. The incident quickly turned into a physical altercation between the two groups, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere.
Bhiwandi, Maharashtra: During Ganpati immersion, stones were thrown at a Ganesh idol near Hindustani Mosque, breaking it and sparking tension between communities. The Ganesh Mandal demanded the arrest of those responsible and refused to proceed with the immersion. Police… pic.twitter.com/IaWbgy4AiZ
— IANS (@ians_india) September 18, 2024
In response to the escalating violence, the Ganesh Mandal, the group organizing the procession, demanded immediate arrests of those responsible for the stone-pelting. The situation worsened as the Ganesh Mandal refused to continue with the immersion, demanding justice for the damage inflicted on the murti.
The local police intervened to restore order, deploying a lathi charge to disperse the agitated crowd. The police action led to several injuries among both participants and officers. In the chaos, some individuals were detained for their involvement in the disturbances. The police have launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Additional Commissioner of Police Dnyaneshwar Chavan reported that the Ganpati immersion procession had been proceeding smoothly until the stone-throwing incident. “The situation escalated rapidly following the attack, leading to disputes and violent clashes among individuals. We have brought the situation under control and are taking legal action against those involved,” Chavan stated.
The Bhiwandi incident is part of a troubling trend of stone-pelting during religious processions in Maharashtra. Similar attacks were reported in other parts of the state. In Lagaon Jamod, stones were thrown at a Ganpati immersion procession around 8 pm on September 17 in the Chubhara area. The attack continued for approximately 30 minutes, resulting in several injuries. Another incident occurred in the Buldhana region, further amplifying the concerns about communal violence during religious events.
In Bhiwandi, the situation became more volatile as members of the Ganesh Mandal expressed their outrage over the damaged murti. The crowd apprehended a young man believed to be involved in the incident and handed him over to the police. The Ganesh Mandal’s leaders insisted that the immersion would not proceed until all those responsible were arrested.
The news of the stone-pelting quickly spread, heightening communal tensions in Bhiwandi. Supporters from both communities gathered at the scene, leading to further unrest. Chanting of slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” intensified the charged atmosphere. The local police, including senior officers, were deployed to manage the situation and negotiate with the agitated crowd.
Bhiwandi, Maharashtra: Additional Commissioner Of Police, Dnyaneshwar Chavan says, The traditional Ganpati immersion procession in Bhiwandi started peacefully near Hindustani Mosque and was proceeding well. However, a stone was thrown, causing a dispute and some altercations… https://t.co/NYUxTw84Ww pic.twitter.com/lGRwqoTgqJ
— IANS (@ians_india) September 18, 2024
BJP MLA Mahesh Chaugule arrived at the scene with his supporters, calling for immediate action against those responsible and demanding increased security. The unrest also prompted a large influx of people to Hafiz Dargah, necessitating the deployment of additional police forces to maintain order.
In response to the violence, DCP Shrikant Paropkari and Additional Commissioner Dnyaneshwar Chavan assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway. “We are actively identifying and detaining those involved in the disturbances. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” they assured.
