In Madhya Pradesh’s Guna district on the evening of April 12, 2025, Hanuman Jayanti procession was attacked with stones near a mosque in the communally sensitive Kharaganj area. According to police and eyewitness accounts, the situation turned violent around 7:30 PM when the religious procession paused near the mosque during its scheduled route. The celebratory atmosphere quickly devolved into chaos as stones were reportedly hurled at the participants, leading to injuries and the vandalism of several vehicles.
An FIR was later filed at Kotwali police station, naming five individuals and mentioning 15 to 20 unidentified persons. As of Sunday (April 13) morning, the police confirmed the arrest of nine people, including the father-son duo Vicky and Sameer Pathan.
The complaint was lodged by BJP Corporator Omprakash Kushwaha, popularly known as Gabbar, who was present at the site. He alleged that the attack was not spontaneous but a pre-planned conspiracy to disrupt the Hindu religious gathering.
The procession, which began from Mata Mandir in Shivaji Nagar around 4 PM, had proceeded peacefully through several areas with youth dancing to DJ music, until it reached the Kharaganj locality. Kushwaha claimed that as the procession paused near the mosque, local resident Vicky Pathan emerged and demanded the DJ music be stopped, urging the group to move ahead quickly. Minutes later, a large group allegedly came out from the mosque and adjoining houses and began pelting stones.
According to the FIR, stones were thrown from rooftops, including Vicky Pathan’s house. Kushwaha further alleged that Vicky’s son, Ameen, fired a gunshot at Rajat Gwal, who was driving a Thar vehicle in the procession. The bullet reportedly passed close to Rajat’s ear. Another accused, Guddu Khan, is said to have attacked Rajat with an iron rod, injuring his hand. In addition to Rajat, several others sustained injuries, including Rajkishore, Bunty Kushwaha, Abhishek Dhakad, Vishal Anotiya, Anul Anotiya, Abhishek Kushwaha, Sugreev Sen, Akul Kushwaha, and Pawan Kushwaha. The mob allegedly attacked them with sticks, stones, and iron rods, and vandalised vehicles participating in the procession. Video footage and other evidence, as claimed by the corporator, have been submitted to the police.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 307 (attempt to murder), Sections 147, 148, and 149 (rioting and unlawful assembly), Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and Sections 323, 427, and 506 (voluntarily causing hurt, mischief, and criminal intimidation).
The named accused in the FIR include Vicky Khan, Ameen Khan, Taufiq Khan, Guddu Khan, and another son of Vicky whose name was not specified. Police sources confirmed that nine people have been arrested so far and that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining culprits.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, members of the Karni Sena and other Hindu organisations called for a bandh in Guna. While the call for bandh was symbolic, most shops remained open and the situation in the city was reported to be calm but tense.
On the night of the incident, after the initial attack, the injured and other members of the procession gathered at Hanuman Chowk and staged a road blockade, demanding immediate action. District Collector Kishore Kanyal and Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Sinha arrived at the scene and appealed to the protestors to lodge their complaints formally at Kotwali. The blockade was briefly lifted but later resumed at Jaystambh Chowk, where the convoy of the Collector and SP was stopped. The crowd dispersed after the assurance, though many youth stayed outside the Kotwali police station until late at night, seeking justice.
A controversy also erupted regarding whether the Hanuman Jayanti procession had official permission. Organisers have shown a letter dated April 7 addressed to SDM Shivani Pandey, seeking formal approval for the procession. However, SP Sanjeev Sinha clarified that the district police had no record of permission being granted for the event, suggesting that the procession may have taken place without formal authorisation.
The incident has sparked sharp political reactions. Former MLA and senior BJP leader Pannalal Shakya visited Kotwali on Sunday and demanded strict action. State Minister Vishwas Sarang condemned the attack, stating that such attempts to create communal strife during Hindu festivals would not be tolerated and that legal action would be taken against the perpetrators. BJP State President VD Sharma echoed similar sentiments, calling the attackers “anti-national elements” and assuring that the state government would maintain peace and religious harmony with zero tolerance for such incidents.
The district administration released an official statement late Saturday (April 12) night, acknowledging that the stone-pelting incident momentarily disrupted peace but was brought under control. It appealed to the public not to fall for rumours and assured that law enforcement was on high alert in sensitive areas to prevent any escalation. With nine arrests made and more anticipated, the investigation continues as Guna’s administration attempts to restore calm and ensure justice is delivered swiftly.
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