In recent years, there has been a disturbing rise in attacks on Hindu religious processions and celebrations across Bharat. From Ram Navami processions to Saraswati Mata idol immersions, Shiv Barats, and Hanuman Jayanti processions, almost every Hindu festival has faced violent disruptions. Today, on the Maha Navmi of Navratri for many across the country, the sacred occasion has been marred by a series of targeted attacks on Durga Puja pandals, revealing a deeper threat to religious harmony in Bharat.
These violent incidents have triggered widespread outrage and demand for stringent action. In a country that celebrates its secular fabric and religious freedoms, such acts of intolerance are deeply concerning. Comparisons are being drawn to the violence seen in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, where attacks on Hindu religious processions and temples are alarmingly common. However, many argue that such incidents have no place in Bharat. Here are the details of the recent attacks that have unfolded during this year’s Durga Puja.
Incident 1: Gonda, Uttar Pradesh – Mob Violence at Durga Puja Pandal
On October 9, in the Maskanwa Bazaar area of Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, a mob of Muslims stormed a Durga Puja pandal, creating a scene of chaos and violence. Witnesses reported that the mob hurled stones at the Hindus present, verbally abused the deities, and even chased children with sticks, leaving a number of them injured.
The violence began when Hindu children started bursting firecrackers outside the pandal, a common practice during festivities. This action enraged certain members of the Muslim community in the neighbourhood. According to reports, a group led by individuals identified as Munna, Sultan, and Aslam launched an attack, pelting stones and using sticks to assault devotees. The situation escalated as more members of the Muslim community joined in, leading to a violent confrontation that critically injured around 10-12 Hindus.
The police, along with the District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP), arrived on the scene to control the situation. Despite their efforts, the assailants managed to flee. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the accused, and police teams have been formed to apprehend them. The incident has left the area tense, with Hindus demanding justice and protection. While the police have assured the community that tough action will be taken, the atmosphere remains charged, with the victims, including children, receiving medical attention.
Incident 2: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – Murti Desecration at Mari Mata Temple
On the morning of October 10, the pujari of Mari Mata temple in Neelmatha, Lucknow, was shocked to find the murti of Maa Durga vandalised. The miscreants had used a grinder machine to sever the hand of Maa Durga, a deliberate act of desecration that has left the Hindu community in the area deeply hurt.
According to the police, tensions quickly rose as news of the vandalism spread, with enraged devotees gathering at the temple. Inspector Cantt, Gurpreet Kaur, confirmed that a case had been registered, and efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
This incident followed another disturbing event in Lucknow’s Bazar Khala police station area, where a piece of meat was found outside a temple. Although the police determined that the meat had likely been left by accident, it added to the growing sense of tension in the city. A woman named Alima, who was known to feed stray dogs, was arrested after it was discovered that a piece of meat might have been dragged by a dog near the temple.
Incident 3: Hyderabad, Telangana – Vandalism at Durga Puja Mandap
On October 10, the murti of Maa Durga was vandalised at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad during the Devi Sharan Navaratri celebrations. Extremists reportedly disconnected the electricity lines, destroyed the CCTVs, and damaged the barricades before attacking the idol. The arm of the devi was severed, and puja paraphernalia was strewn across the mandap.
The Begum Bazar police have launched an investigation and filed an FIR, but the culprits are yet to be identified. To prevent further unrest, a large police contingent has been deployed at the site. Videos of the damage have circulated on social media, sparking widespread condemnation. The local Hindu community is demanding immediate and strict action against the perpetrators, fearing that such incidents are becoming all too common.
Incident 4: Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh – Knife Attack at Durga Pandal
In Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, violence erupted at a Durga Puja pandal on October 10 when a young man attacked the priest and two other devotees with a knife. The incident took place in the Ramapur Ward area, where a youth, who had previously been involved in harassing local women, launched a violent attack during the festival. The injured, including the priest Shubham Yadav and devotees Himanshu Sahu and Pushpendra Hirwani, are currently receiving treatment at the district hospital.
According to Shubham, two men arrived at the pandal on a motorcycle and immediately began attacking him with a knife, causing serious injuries to his left wrist and right shoulder. Local residents tried to catch the attacker, but he managed to escape. Despite earlier complaints to the police about the youth’s behaviour, no action had been taken, and the attack has left the people outraged.
Ward residents revealed that the same individual had been harassing women in the neighbourhood since the start of Navratri, and their complaints had been ignored by the police. The local police station, under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Marai, is now under pressure to apprehend the attackers and take appropriate legal action.
Incident 5: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand – Vandalism at Barigoda Durga Puja Pandal
On October 2, the Barigoda Durga Puja pandal in Jamshedpur was vandalised by antisocial elements. The perpetrators tore the cloth covering the pandal and fled the scene before being caught. This attack came just days after a theft disrupted the preparations for the puja, with Rs. 5,000 stolen from one of the artisans working on the pandal.
Neeraj Singh, General Secretary of the Puja Committee, expressed his frustration, explaining that the artisans had left the site briefly to eat when the vandals struck. He condemned the attacks, calling them a blatant disregard for religious sentiments, and urged the police to take stringent action to protect the sanctity of the puja. The Parsudih police are investigating the incident, and local residents are demanding stronger security measures.
The series of attacks on Durga Puja pandals and idols across India has sparked widespread anger and concern. As religious tensions simmer, it is clear that immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent further violence.
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