On September 24, violence broke out during a Garba celebration in Bahiyal village, located in the Dehgam municipality of Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district. The incident reportedly followed a social media post by a Hindu man that read “I Love Mahadev,” which allegedly triggered an attack by an Islamist mob.
According to reports, a large group of individuals, allegedly from the Muslim community, gathered at the site, some carrying weapons. The situation escalated as several shops owned by members of the Hindu community were vandalised, vehicles were set on fire, and stones were thrown at the event. Authorities have since been deployed to restore order, and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause and those responsible for the violence.
During a Garba event, participants, including women, were attacked. A group identified as members of the Muslim community also targeted police teams responding to the incident, setting two police vehicles on fire. Authorities used tear gas to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation.
Eyewitnesses shared disturbing accounts of the mob attack. One shop owner reported damages amounting to Rs 10 lakh. He alleged that the mob selectively targeted businesses owned by members of the Hindu community, while leaving nearby shops owned by Muslims untouched.
The shop owner further stated that he witnessed several shops being set on fire during the night, but bystanders were unable to intervene due to the large size of the mob, which he estimated to be in the thousands. He alleged that after targeting the shops, the mob proceeded to attack the Mahadevji mandir and steal the donation box. According to his account, the Ambe Mata mandir in the area was also vandalised.
Other eyewitnesses claimed that the attackers were shouting slogans such as “I Love Muhammad” while targeting shops and vehicles. Following the violence, the District Magistrate, along with several senior officials, visited the area to assess the situation and oversee the response.
Two companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), along with 200 police personnel, have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent further incidents. SSP Ayush Jain reported that four shops were set on fire and several vehicles were damaged. So far, approximately 60 individuals have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is underway.
In recent days, violent demonstrations under the banner of ‘I Love Muhammad’ protests have taken place in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, involving participants from the Muslim community.
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