Religious festivals have historically served as occasions for community participation, cultural expression, and social harmony across India. However, in recent years, several incidents reported from different states have raised concerns regarding violence, public disorder, and attacks allegedly targeting Hindus during the observance of certain religious occasions. These incidents, occurring during Bakrid and Muharram between 2024 and 2026, have attracted significant public attention and generated debate over law and order, communal harmony, and the safety of ordinary citizens during large religious gatherings.
The issue has gained renewed focus following the killing of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, during Bakrid celebrations in May 2026. According to reports, the teenager was allegedly lured by former acquaintances and fatally attacked in a case that shocked local residents and triggered widespread outrage. The incident became one of the most discussed cases of festival-linked violence during the period under review.
The incidents documented in this report span multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. They include cases involving killings, serious assaults, attacks on civilians, clashes during processions, vandalism, and alleged attempts to inflict grievous injuries. Several incidents also resulted in hospitalisation of victims, police intervention, and criminal investigations.
Beyond the individual cases, these incidents have contributed to broader discussions concerning public safety during religious processions, accountability of offenders, and the responsibilities of authorities in preventing violence during mass gatherings. The recurring nature of such incidents across different locations has prompted demands for stronger preventive measures and stricter enforcement of law and order.
On May 28, 2026, 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, an 11th-grade student, was killed in Navneet Vihar under the Khoda police station area of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. According to the reported incident, Surya was called by his former acquaintance Mohammad Asad and his associates on the evening of Bakrid. They allegedly asked him, “Have you ever seen a goat being slaughtered?” before attacking him repeatedly with knives. The attack, reportedly linked to an old rivalry, resulted in his death.
The report documents 12 major incidents of violence, harassment, and other criminal acts allegedly committed by Muslim miscreants during religious festivals between 2024 and 2026.
The detailed 12 Incidents of Killings and Attempts to Kill Hindus During Religious Festivals (2024–2026) are given below.
1. Hindu Teen Stabbed to Death After Being Lured by Former Acquaintance in Ghaziabad
Seventeen-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, an 11th-grade student, was fatally stabbed in Navneet Vihar under the Khoda police station area of Ghaziabad. According to the reported incident, Surya was called to a lane near Chaudhary School by his former acquaintance Asad. At around 3:30 pm, Asad allegedly asked him, “Have you ever seen a goat being slaughtered?” before attacking him repeatedly with knives along with his associates.
Surya sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Noida, where he died at around 12 pm on May 29.
The main accused, Asad, remained absconding after the incident, and a reward of ₹50,000 was announced for information leading to his arrest. On the night of May 31, a joint team of Khoda and Indirapuram police surrounded him. According to police, Asad opened fire on the team, following which he was injured in the ensuing action. He was taken to a hospital, where he died during treatment. Police had earlier arrested three accused, including Asad’s father, Nawab, while efforts to trace the remaining accused are ongoing.
2. Hindu Youth Dies After Assault in Balrampur During Bakrid
Dhanraj Maurya died following an assault in Ahiraula village of Balrampur on the day of Bakrid. According to the reported incident, a dispute related to turning a motorcycle led to Dhanraj being surrounded and assaulted by a group comprising Mohammad Asif Khan, son of Waris Ali; Sajid Khan, son of Waris Ali; Majid Ali, son of Waris Ali; Salim alias Salim Ali, son of Waris Ali; and Waris Ali, son of Abid Ali.
Dhanraj was initially admitted to a local hospital and was later referred to Lucknow Medical College. He died during treatment on May 30.
Following his death, family members, supported by local Hindu organisations, reportedly refused to conduct the last rites and staged a highway protest demanding the arrest of all accused persons.
3. Ajay Yadav Killed During Muharram Taziya Procession in Motihari
Twenty-two-year-old Ajay Yadav was killed during a Muharram Taziya procession in Kothiya/Kankati Bazaar (Kotiya Bazaar) under the Mehsi police station area of East Champaran district, Bihar. Ajay had gone to watch the procession along with his brother Dhananjay Yadav and cousin Naval Kishore Yadav when an altercation reportedly broke out with individuals brandishing swords and spears.
The main accused, Nizamuddin Mian, a ward member, allegedly attacked Ajay with a sword, striking his neck and head. Ajay died on the way to the hospital. Dhananjay Yadav and Naval Kishore Yadav also sustained injuries in the incident.
According to police and mainstream reports, the incident was linked to an old electoral rivalry related to panchayat elections. A dispute had reportedly occurred between the two sides approximately 15 days earlier. Police arrested 12 accused persons in connection with the case.
4. Hindu E-Rickshaw Driver Assaulted After Refusing Additional Muharram Donation
Hindu e-rickshaw driver Bedan Ghosh was assaulted in Birbhum district of West Bengal after refusing to make an additional donation for Muharram. Bedan Ghosh had already contributed on July 3, 2025. When asked to donate again, he refused.
Following the refusal, Islamist extremists assaulted Bedan Ghosh and attacked him with a stone. An eyewitness stated that while the mob was beating Bedan Ghosh, one of the youths struck him on the head with a stone, causing injuries.
Bedan Ghosh was admitted to a hospital for treatment.
5. Violence and Vandalism Reported During Muharram Procession in Raebareli
Violence was reported in Kudha village during a Muharram procession conducted without permission on the night of July 4, 2025. Participants in the procession raised objectionable slogans, following which local Hindus protested.
The situation escalated, and members of the Muslim crowd allegedly resorted to violence. The crowd attacked with sticks, rods, and other weapons and carried out acts of vandalism.
Police registered a case against 150 individuals, including Sajid Ali, Sonu, Phoolbabu, Attu, Amroz, and Shabbir, under charges related to assault, vandalism, and other offences.
6. Hindu Shop Owner Assaulted During Muharram Procession in Sitapur
A Hindu shop owner, Bechelal, was assaulted during a Muharram Taziya procession in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh on July 5, 2025.
The dispute began when members of a Muslim crowd participating in the procession reached Bechelal’s shop and asked him to remove some bricks. After Bechelal refused, the crowd allegedly attacked him with sticks and rods.
Police reached the spot during the incident, following which the assailants fled the area.
7. ASI Amit Kumar Injured in Knife Attack During Muharram Procession in Darbhanga
Assistant Sub-Inspector Amit Kumar was injured in a knife attack during a Muharram procession in Darbhanga on the night of July 5, 2025.
Unrest broke out during the procession, prompting police to reach the spot to bring the situation under control. During the intervention, ASI Amit Kumar fell on the road. At that time, Mohammad Rabbani allegedly attacked him with a knife, striking his left thigh.
ASI Amit Kumar sustained serious injuries and was admitted to a hospital for treatment. The accused, Mohammad Rabbani, was arrested following the incident.
8. BJP Leader Assaulted During Muharram Procession in Maharajganj
Hindu youth and BJP leader Shivbhushan Chaubey was assaulted during a Muharram procession in Maharajganj on July 6, 2025.
While returning home, Shivbhushan Chaubey was allegedly surrounded by individuals from the procession crowd, who abused him and engaged in physical assault.
Police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and safely escorted Shivbhushan Chaubey from the area. Three individuals were taken into custody in connection with the case.
9. Clash Reported During Muharram Procession in Kushinagar
A clash broke out in Tekuatar Bazaar under the Ramkola police station area of Kushinagar during a Muharram procession on July 6, 2025.
Members of a Muslim crowd participating in the procession entered into an argument with Hindus present at the location over sloganeering. The dispute escalated into a clash and physical altercation, leading to tension in the area.
During the incident, a stampede-like situation occurred in which an eight-year-old child sustained injuries. Police reached the spot after receiving information, used force to bring the situation under control, and deployed additional personnel in the area.
10. Dispute Reported During Muharram Taziya Procession in Dholpur
A dispute was reported in Mangrol town under the Maniya police station area of Dholpur during a Muharram Taziya procession on July 6, 2025.
During the procession, a Muslim crowd allegedly increased the volume of a DJ system after noticing an Ekadashi recitation being conducted at a nearby location. When objections were raised, the crowd became agitated and demanded that the volume of the microphone being used for the recitation be reduced.
Rajasthan Police reached the spot and resolved the matter.
11. Altercation Reported During Muharram Taziya Procession in Lakhimpur Kheri
An altercation took place in Bada Gaon under the Sharda Nagar police station area of Lakhimpur Kheri during a Muharram Taziya procession on July 6, 2025.
Participants in the procession were throwing white powder along with firecrackers. During the procession, some members of a Muslim crowd allegedly threw white powder at the houses of Siyaram and Jamunadeen. When Siyaram objected, some individuals participating in the procession allegedly assaulted Pankaj, the grandson of Jamunadeen.
The incident created tension in the village, following which a heavy police force was deployed in the area.
12. Hindu Family Attacked During Muharram Procession in Samastipur
A Hindu family was attacked in Samastipur, Bihar, on July 14, 2024, by Muslim youths participating in a Muharram procession.
The family was travelling in a vehicle when individuals from the procession allegedly attacked it with sticks and swords. The vehicle sustained damage during the incident.
The attackers allegedly shattered the vehicle’s windows, causing injuries to members of the family. The vehicle was also damaged in the attack.
The incidents documented in this report, spanning from 2024 to 2026, reflect a series of violent confrontations, assaults, and criminal episodes reported during the observance of Bakrid and Muharram across multiple states. From Ghaziabad and Balrampur to Motihari, Birbhum, Raebareli, Sitapur, Darbhanga, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Dholpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Samastipur, the reported cases collectively reveal recurring concerns relating to public safety, law and order, and communal tensions during religious events.
A notable feature emerging from these incidents is the diversity of victims and targets. The affected individuals include students, shopkeepers, political workers, transport operators, police personnel, and ordinary families. Several incidents resulted in deaths, while others led to serious injuries, property damage, and widespread public unrest. In many cases, police intervention became necessary to restore order, initiate investigations, and take legal action against those accused.
The recurrence of such incidents during major religious observances has intensified discussions regarding preventive policing, accountability, crowd management, and the protection of citizens irrespective of their background. The cases documented in this report underscore the importance of ensuring that religious events remain peaceful and do not become occasions for violence, intimidation, or criminal activity.
As India continues to celebrate its religious and cultural diversity, maintaining public order and safeguarding the rights and security of all citizens remains a fundamental responsibility of the state. The incidents recorded in this report serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance, effective law enforcement, and a firm commitment to preserving peace and social harmony during all public religious observances.
