In six states, Ram Navami violence has resulted in the deaths of two people, making the situation even more volatile as new conflicts break out.
During the Ram Navami celebrations in Maharashtra and West Bengal, two people were killed in clashes. Even as new conflicts break out, the situation is tense across a number of states.
Ankush Pandey
Violence marred Ram Navami celebrations on Thursday in several states. Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh saw fights break out. In these states, tensions are high, and one death has been reported in Maharashtra.
What has transpired thus far is as follows:
MAHARASHTRA
In Maharashtra, there were reports of violence in Aurangabad, Malad, and Jalgaon. On Wednesday, in Aurangabad, a fight between two men outside a Ram temple in the Kiradpura area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar escalated, resulting in people throwing stones and setting 13 vehicles on fire.
While police used tear gas and plastic bullets to control the situation, a crowd of about 500 people hurled stones and bottles filled with petroleum.
On Thursday, a 51-year-old man who was injured in the fight died while being treated at a hospital. Shaikh Muniruddin was named as the deceased.
During the conflict, at least 12 people, including 10 police officers, were injured.
In Malad, a few groups were harmed, including four constables, after a conflict broke out between two gatherings during a Shobha Yatra as a component of the Slam Navami festivities. The incident occurred during the yatra, and some people were upset about the loud music and high-volume DJ.
Friday's clashes resulted in the arrest of twenty individuals.
A fight broke out between two groups in Jalgaon over loud music playing outside a mosque while Namaz was being offered inside, and four people were injured. On a palki yatra that was passing close to the area, it is said that a group of people threw stones at it.
Two FIRs were filed to investigate the altercation, and 45 people were arrested in connection with the incident.
WEST BENGAL
During the Ram Navami celebrations, fighting broke out in Howrah and Dalkhola, both in West Bengal. In Howrah's Kazipara, a few vehicles were burnt and shops were scoured on Thursday. According to the police, a group of people attacked a Ram Navami procession and began hurling bricks, stones, and glass bottles at those who were there.
During a Ram Navami procession, vehicles were also set ablaze in Shibpur.
After the violence in Howrah, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a warning about taking action against those who are "into riots and conspiracy."
During a procession in Dalkhola, a person was killed and a number of others were injured when two groups clashed. The incident resulted in the injuries of several others, including five to six police officers.
There were reports of stone pelting on Friday, and a fight broke out once more in Howrah.
GUJARAT
In the Fatehpura neighborhood of Vadodara, Gujarat, two Ram Navami processions were attacked. Individuals heaved stones at one another and harmed a few vehicles out and about.
The violence resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals by the police.
UTTAR PRADESH
During a Ram Navami Shobha Yatra on Thursday near the Shahi Masjid in Lucknow, two groups got into a fight. Sources told India Today that people were attacked and hit with stones.
The two groups, according to the police, got into an argument over loud music while the procession was going by a mosque.
BIHAR
Additionally, a Ram Navami procession entering the Hazratganj Mohalla area sparked violence in Munger, Bihar. Authorities said the parade abused the guidelines that were intended for the courses.
200 unidentified individuals were the subject of a criminal complaint.
NATIONWIDE VIOLENCE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
During Hindu festivals, violence is becoming the new normal. During Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in April of last year, clashes erupted in at least 10 states, with similar incidents of stone pelting and arson. Common brutality was accounted for in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra for more than a few days.
After a large number of people staged a march on Ram Navami, the Delhi Police increased the level of security in Jahangirpuri to prevent a repeat of that event. To keep the peace, four outside companies, a riot control unit, and local police were sent to the area.
The group had been denied permission to hold a "Shree Ram Bhagwan Pratima Yatra" in the same area where violence broke out last year during a Hanuman Jayanti procession. The Delhi Police denied the request.
When Ram Navami festivities began two weeks ago, more than 3,000 police officers were stationed in Jharkhand as well. The festival was celebrated with fervor on Thursday amid elaborate security measures, including drone surveillance.
