Radical Islamists in Maharashtra have targeted Hindu religious celebrations, escalating tensions between communities. The latest of these attacks occurred during the annual Kartik Ekadashi procession in Jalgaon, where Islamists launched a violent assault, pelting stones at the procession, and threatening the peaceful observance of the sacred Hindu event. The stone-pelting incident highlights the increasing hostility towards Hindu religious expressions in certain areas of Maharashtra, fueling fears of growing radicalisation.
#Maharashtra | In Jalgaon, Islamists attacked annual Kartik #Ekadashi procession with stone pelting pic.twitter.com/Idkm3jjEqA
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) November 12, 2024
This incident is part of a larger trend of growing tensions over Hindu religious practices in certain regions of Maharashtra.
A similarly alarming confrontation occurred during Deepawali celebrations in Navi Mumbai’s Panchanand Society, Taloja Sector 9, where members of the Muslim community opposed the lighting of decorations to mark Deepawali, one of Hinduism’s most revered festivals. Deepawali, which celebrates the return of Bhagwan Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, is widely observed with elaborate lighting displays and decorations in public spaces.
In a disturbing viral video that captured the confrontation, a group of men from the Muslim community can be seen threatening Hindu women who were involved in decorating the society with Deepawali lights. One man was heard saying, “Lights won’t be put up in the society. I will see to it that no lights are installed here.” He was joined by other men who continued to oppose the Deepawali decorations, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. One of the women recording the incident was also threatened with harm, showing the extent of the aggression.
Maharashtra: Islamists threaten Hindus in Taloja Phase 1, Panchanand Society, Sector 9, against Diwali lights and are abusing Hindu ladies. pic.twitter.com/aKK4LPEizn
— Angry Saffron (@AngrySaffron) October 29, 2024
The root of this clash over Deepawali decorations can be traced back to a protest by Hindu families in June 2024, when they objected to the public slaughtering of goats in the society during Bakrid, a festival celebrated by Muslims. The protest was met with resistance from members of the Muslim community, and now, in a retaliatory move, there is active opposition to the public celebration of Deepawali. The equating of Deepawali lighting with the controversial practice of public animal sacrifice further exacerbates the already volatile situation.
The protest against the animal sacrifice sparked a retaliatory action from the Muslim community, who now oppose the celebration of Deepawali in the same locality.
