Days after violence erupted during the Durga Visarjan procession in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, another incident occurred in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, where a Hindu man was attacked with sharp weapons for bursting firecrackers. The victims, including a BJP leader and his nephew, were attacked and stabbed with knives by a violent mob.
The incident occurred in the Bhimganj police station area of Bhilwara city, where Devendra Hada, the husband of Councillor Manju Devi, operates a tea stall. On October 24 evening, he and several youths were celebrating by bursting firecrackers outside his shop when approximately 30 to 40 individuals from a specific community arrived and objected to their activity.
Hada said that they are busting firecrackers ahead of Deepawali. Hearing, one youth took out a knife and attacked him, stabbing him in the stomach. When others from the Hindu side tried to intervene, they were attacked, including Hada’s nephew.
After Bahraich, MusIims attacked a Hindu man with sharp weapons for bursting crackers in Bhilwara. Many vehicles were burnt down and incidents of stone pelting were reported. Devendra Singh was bursting cracker outside his house. Suddenly dozens of Shantidoots came and started… pic.twitter.com/qw8QQWbULP
— Shubham Sharma (@Shubham_fd) October 25, 2024
The mob then vandalised the shop, threw stones, and set fire to three nearby vehicles. In response, members of the Hindu community gathered at the location to protest, which escalated into a clash between the two sides. During the confrontation, stones were thrown, and several parked vehicles were set ablaze.
Soon after, police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. He Hada was stabbed 3-4 times while the attackers brutally beat the others. He has been admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital along with two other injured.
A case has been registered, and police forces have been deployed at various locations throughout the city to prevent further escalation. So far, four individuals have been arrested based on CCTV footage and other evidence, while 31 others have been detained for questioning. On October 25, the police paraded the four arrested youths through the city to reassure the public about their safety.
