A routine religious gathering turned violent on October 17 night, when 10 Karyakartas of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were brutally attacked with knives during prasad distribution at a temple in Jaipur’s Karni Vihar. The incident, which took place amidst a Hanuman Chalisa recital, shocked the city, and the injured Karyakartas were immediately rushed to SMS Hospital for treatment.
The tragic attack unfolded during a peaceful celebration of Sharad Purnima, a significant Hindu festival that marks the harvest moon. A mandir in Karni Vihar had organised a Jagran where devotees gathered to recite the Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers. As part of the event, kheer, a traditional Indian dessert, was being distributed as prasad.
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What started as a serene religious gathering quickly turned into a nightmare. At around 10 p.m., two locals residing near the temple reportedly objected to the program. A small argument ensued, but the situation escalated when the two men summoned their associates to the temple. In a well-coordinated and deliberate attack, the group assaulted the RSS Karyakartas, brandishing knives and targeting their vital organs.
The attackers, equipped with sharp weapons, launched a frensied assault on the gathered devotees, particularly focusing on the RSS Karyakartas. The volunteers were stabbed repeatedly, with injuries concentrated on their chests and stomachs, leaving several of them critically wounded. Eyewitnesses described the horrific scene, with blood and prasad (kheer) splattered across the temple premises.
The injured include Shankar Bagda, Murarilal, Ram Pareek, Lakhan Singh Jadoun, Pushpendra, and Dinesh Sharma, all of whom were rushed to the trauma center at SMS Hospital. Medical professionals have since been working round-the-clock to stabilise their condition, although many of the victims remain in critical care due to the severity of their injuries.
As news of the attack spread, chaos erupted both within and outside the mandir. The incident triggered widespread outrage among the local community, particularly among RSS supporters, who gathered in large numbers outside the Karni Vihar police station, demanding immediate action. The violent nature of the attack raised suspicions of a premeditated conspiracy to incite communal unrest in Jaipur.
Responding promptly, DCP West Amit Kumar and his team arrived at the scene to restore order. The police took swift action by detaining three suspects, including the primary attacker Naseeb Chaudhary and his son. A manhunt is underway for others believed to be involved in the attack, and police have intensified security measures in and around Karni Vihar to prevent any further disturbances.
Local sources have suggested that the attack may have been part of a broader, well-planned conspiracy aimed at disrupting communal harmony in Jaipur. The Sharad Purnima Mahotsav had been peaceful and free of conflict until the attackers arrived, raising concerns that the violence was deliberately orchestrated.
Investigators are probing whether the attackers had external backing or if there were deeper motives at play. Given the sudden nature of the assault and the specific targeting of RSS Karyakartas, authorities are treating the case with utmost seriousness.
The brutal attack sparked outrage among the residents of Karni Vihar, many of whom took to the streets in protest. In the hours following the incident, an angry crowd blocked the Delhi-Ajmer highway, completely halting traffic on one of Rajasthan’s busiest routes. Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved and stringent action against the perpetrators.
The highway remained blocked for several hours, with police working tirelessly to negotiate with the protesters. After prolonged discussions and assurances from the authorities, the road was finally cleared around 1:30 a.m., allowing traffic to resume. The police reassured the public that swift and decisive action would be taken against the attackers, and justice would be served.
Given the severity of the incident, prominent political figures quickly intervened. Rajasthan’s State Cabinet Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore took immediate action, directing both police and medical teams to ensure the safety of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack. Rathore condemned the violence and emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and communal harmony in Jaipur.
Additionally, Gopal Sharma, the local MLA, visited the trauma center at SMS Hospital to check on the condition of the injured RSS Karyakartas. He expressed his deep concern over the incident and extended his support to the families of the victims. Sharma assured the public that every possible step would be taken to ensure that the culprits face the full force of the law.
In the wake of the attack, the Karni Vihar police have launched a full-scale investigation. Authorities are meticulously gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analysing the sequence of events that led to the violent outbreak. The police are also investigating the possibility of a larger conspiracy, examining whether the attackers were motivated by communal or political interests.
To prevent further unrest, police have significantly increased their presence in the area, with additional forces deployed to maintain law and order. The temple, once a hub of activity during the Sharad Purnima celebration, now stands under heavy security.
