Despite Hindus constituting nearly 80 per cent of Bharat’s population, instances of violence against the majority community, particularly during religious festivals and processions, have been consistently reported over the past decade. This disturbing trend of orchestrated attacks on Hindu religious celebrations such as Navratri, Ram Navami, Saraswati Mata Visarjan, and Ganesh Chaturthi highlights a targeted approach to disrupting communal harmony. Hindu festivals, which are meant to be times of joy and devotion, are increasingly marred by violence. The perpetrators, often from radical Islamist elements, have systematically planned these attacks, exploiting moments of religious significance to incite communal discord.
Various media outlets, including Organiser, have actively reported these incidents, showcasing an agenda driven by religious fanaticism, anti-national motives, and even the influence of global forces aiming to disturb Bharat’s internal peace. These attacks frequently occur in areas where Hindu processions pass by mosques or Muslim-majority regions, with instances of stone-pelting, assault, and even desecration of idols becoming common. The pattern of violence reveals that almost no festival passes without some form of violence, largely ignited by religiously charged mobs on Fridays or during significant Muslim events.
Recent Incidents in 2024: A Snapshot
1. Bhiwandi, Maharashtra – September 17, 2024
A Ganpati immersion procession in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, was disrupted by stone pelting, marking another instance in a disturbing trend of communal attacks during Hindu festivals. The incident occurred around midnight as a large Ganpati idol from Ghughat Nagar was en route to the Nadinaka Kamwari River for immersion. Stones were hurled at the procession as it passed near the Hindustani Mosque at Vanjarpatti Naka, reportedly damaging the idol. This sparked a physical confrontation between the groups involved.
2. Balrampur, Chhattisgarh – September 18, 2024
In Ara village, Balrampur district, tensions escalated after stones were thrown at a Ganesh immersion procession, leaving a 15-year-old girl, Sheela Yadav, seriously injured. She sustained a severe head injury and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where her condition is now stable. The local police have registered a case against four individuals and are investigating the incident. Following the attack, a large number of agitated villagers gathered at the Bariyon police outpost, demanding justice. The police have deployed additional forces to maintain peace, and local authorities are working to calm the situation.
3. Trilokpuri, Delhi – September 17, 2024
In East Delhi’s Trilokpuri area, a Ganesh immersion procession was attacked by a group, leaving two youths injured. Eyewitnesses, including women, claimed that the attackers were armed and harassed women by pulling their dupattas. The Mayur Vihar police have arrested two suspects, and although tensions remain high in the area, police deployment has ensured peace for now.
4. Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh – September 16, 2024
A Ganesh immersion procession in Farrukhabad’s Shamsabad area turned violent when a group attacked the participants with sticks, stones, and bricks. Eyewitnesses alleged that the attackers chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans. As the procession returned from the Ganga ghat, the group began hurling abuses, escalating into a full-blown assault. The incident has sparked outrage, with local residents demanding action.
5. Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh – September 16, 2024
In a provocative incident during a Barawafat procession in Balrampur, Islamic fundamentalists chanted slogans like “Palestine Zindabad” in front of a Ganesh pandal. A viral video showed a suspect detained by police being freed by members of the crowd. The local administration is currently investigating the matter, and tensions remain high in the area.
6. Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh – September 15, 2024
In Jhansi, youths returning from a Ganesh immersion procession were attacked, leaving several injured. The incident caused significant outrage, with locals staging a protest outside the police station demanding action. Senior police officials have since been deployed to manage the situation.
7. Pune, Maharashtra – September 16, 2024
In Pune’s Daund area, Yasin Ismail Sayyed was arrested for assaulting Sitara Torve during Ganeshotsav. Sayyed reportedly attacked Torve with a sharp weapon and issued death threats for organising the festival. He has been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita.
8. Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh – September 15, 2024
A Ganesh immersion procession in Mahoba turned violent when a firecracker accidentally set a mud house on fire. The altercation between the two communities escalated into stone-pelting and physical assaults. Hindu organisations protested at the local police station, demanding swift action.
9. Mandya, Karnataka – September 12, 2024
Communal violence erupted in Nagamangala, Mandya district, during a Ganesh idol immersion procession. Stones were thrown at the procession, and several shops were set on fire. Allegations have emerged of Popular Front of India (PFI) involvement, with two suspects from Kerala named in the FIR.
10. Surat, Gujarat – September 10, 2024
In Surat’s Saiyadpura area, a planned attack on multiple Ganesh pandals was thwarted after police arrested a group of teenagers. The group had been trained for months to target Hindu religious sites, and the police are now investigating potential connections to local madrasas.
11. Bharuch, Gujarat – September 11, 2024
In Bharuch, tensions flared after members of the Muslim community installed Islamic flags atop Hindu homes during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. This led to a violent confrontation between the two communities, and stone-pelting ensued. Police have since increased their presence in the area to prevent further escalation.
12. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – September 11, 2024
A Ganesh Visarjan procession in Ganga Vihar Colony was attacked when a group reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” and pelted stones at the pandal, breaking an urn near the idol. The incident occurred during the evening aarti, sparking outrage among local residents.
13. Kutch, Gujarat – September 11, 2024
In Kutch’s Nakhatrana village, Muslim children were allegedly involved in a conspiracy to vandalise a Ganesh idol and hoist an Islamic flag atop a nearby Hindu temple. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which has left the village in a state of heightened tension.
14. Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh – September 8, 2024
In Ratlam’s Mochipura area, stone-pelting during the Ganesh festival led to widespread protests. More than 500 people surrounded the local police station demanding action, and tensions continued to simmer after another round of stone-pelting occurred later that night.
15. Surat, Gujarat – September 7, 2024
A Ganeshotsav pandal in Surat’s Lal Gate area was attacked by minors from the Muslim community. The incident led to mass protests, with hundreds demanding strict action. Police made arrests swiftly, but tensions remain high in the area.
16. Lohardaga, Jharkhand – September 6, 2024
In Lohardaga’s Valmiki Nagar, a clash broke out after members of a Ganesh Puja committee were attacked by a group from the local Islamic community. The situation was temporarily calmed by police but flared up again after their departure.
17. Rajkot, Gujarat – August 26, 2023
In a disturbing incident, a Hindu family creating Ganesh idols was attacked by three Islamist men while painting the idols. The attackers were arrested after a complaint was filed, but the incident has left the local community on edge.
A closer analysis of these incidents reveals a deliberate strategy employed by radical Islamist groups to target Hindu religious processions, particularly during festivals. These groups often use stone-pelting, physical assaults, and incendiary slogans to incite violence, destabilise communal harmony, and provoke retaliation. Their aim is to project Bharat as a nation divided along religious lines, exploiting moments of joy and religious significance to create chaos.
The involvement of banned organisations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) in many of these incidents is a clear indication of the broader anti-national agenda. These radical groups, with ties to international Islamist organisations, seek to weaken Bharat from within by targeting its majority community, particularly during moments of religious significance. By disrupting Hindu festivals, these groups aim to sow discord between communities, destabilise the social fabric, and challenge the state’s authority.
The Need for Vigilance and Action
The frequent and coordinated attacks on Hindu processions, particularly during religious festivals, pose a serious threat to Bharat’s communal harmony. These incidents not only hurt religious sentiments but also contribute to a growing sense of insecurity among Hindus. There is an urgent need for stringent legal actions against the perpetrators, better protection for religious processions, and stronger community policing to prevent such incidents.
The time has come for Bharat to recognise and address the larger ideological and political forces behind these attacks. A united effort by the administration, the judiciary, and civil society is necessary to protect the right of every community to celebrate their faith without fear of violence or intimidation. Only then can Bharat truly embody its spirit of unity in diversity.
