Ram Navmi Procession: Communal Violence Reported From 4 States, 1 Dead in Gujarat

On Sunday, Hindu groups held processions to commemorate Ram Navami, resulting in communal violence in four states. One person was killed in the violence in Gujarat.

Gujarat

According to the Indian Express, violence was reported in Gujarat from Khambhat town in Anand district in Central Gujarat and Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district in North Gujarat. According to authorities, an unidentified body was discovered in Anand on Sunday evening. Both towns have reported stone-pelting and arson.

“The body of a man of 60 years of age has been found from the location where the confrontations took place,” Abhishek Gupta, deputy superintendent of police in Khambat, Anand, told the Indian Express. The person has yet to be identified, and the cause of death will be determined only after a postmortem examination. We’ve started a crackdown, and four people have been arrested… In this case, a FIR will be filed.”

The violence in Himmatnagar is said to have started as the Ram Navami procession passed through the Chhaparia neighbourhood, which is predominantly populated by minorities. Despite reports of violence, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad chose to hold another rally in the same region, according to the Indian Express.

The stone pelting injured four police officers, according to police.

The Ahmedabad-based Minority Coordination Committee has written to the Gujarat Director General Police, requesting additional security and action against individuals who disrupt the peace. “We demand action against anti-social individuals who have attempted to undermine peace and harmony in Gujarat under the guise of religious programmes.” The letter stated that “all CCTV video in Himmatnagar should be reviewed, and anybody caught carrying firearms without permission should be booked and arrested,” according to Indian Express.

Madhya Pradesh

After reports of stone-pelting and arson during Ram Navami processions, a curfew was enforced in three regions of Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone.

Section 144 has been implemented throughout the city, according to Khargone district collector Anugrah P. “A curfew has been imposed in three sections of the city, including Talab Chowk and Tavdi,” he added, adding that minor arson incidents have happened as a result of stone pelting.

“When the Ram Navami procession began in the Talab Chowk area, stones were allegedly thrown at the crowd, causing police to use tear gas shells to keep the situation under control.” According to NDTV, the parade was meant to make a full circle of Khargone city, but it was called off in the middle due to the violence.

The procession was also led through a Muslim-dominated neighbourhood, with religious music being played over loudspeakers. According to the channel, four houses were set on fire and a temple was vandalised.

At least two dozen persons were hurt, according to the Indian Express, including Superintendent of Police (SP) Siddharth Choudhary.

Clashes have also been reported in the nearby Barwani district.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Home Minister Narottam Mishra spoke out about the Khargone event later that day, calling it “unfortunate.” According to Express, 77 persons have been arrested, as per Mishra.

West Bengal

On Sunday, there were clashes during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah’s Shibpur area. The situation is under control, according to police, who have taken precautions to maintain peace. The state’s opposition party, the BJP, claimed that the police attacked the procession.

Police responded by urging individuals to remain calm and refrain from spreading false information.

Jharkhand

Stone-pelting was also reported during a Ram Navami parade in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga, according to NDTV, prompting a significant police presence. Several persons are said to have been injured.

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