On Thursday, Ram Navami celebrations were marred by violent incidents in various states. A mob is accused of attacking police officers in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, a day after two factions fought there. In Vadodara, Gujarat, stones were thrown at a Ram Navami parade.
A Ram Navami parade in the Howrah region of West Bengal was attacked with rocks, and numerous vehicles were set on fire.
Here is how the Ram Navami celebrations were impacted by violent incidents in several states:
WEST BENGAL
In brazen disregard for Hindu sentiments, Mamata Banerjee held dharna on Ramanavami, then warned Hindus about avoiding Muslim areas because it was Ramzan, forgetting that Hindus too were fasting for Navratr. As Home Minister of WB she is directly responsible for Howrah violence. pic.twitter.com/0975DJ8Wyf
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 30, 2023
Violence broke out in West Bengal's Howrah district during Ram Navami, resulting in several vehicles being set ablaze and stores being plundered. According to a report by the news agency PTI, a police officer claimed that the incident happened when the procession passed through the Kazipara neighborhood.
Earlier today, Swami Vivekananda Seva Sangh teenagers were seen wielding swords and hockey clubs at a Ram Navami demonstration in the Sankarail neighborhood of Howrah.
Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, blamed Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, for the violence in Howrah.
Mamata Banerjee organized a dharna on Ramanavami and subsequently issued a warning to Hindus to stay away from Muslim regions because it was Ramzan, completely disregarding the fact that Hindus were also fasting for Navratri. She directly caused the unrest in Howrah as the West Bengali home minister, according to a tweet from Amit Malviya.
Mamata Banerjee had earlier today advised followers of Ram Navami to "avoid the Muslim areas as Ramzan is going on."
I kindly ask that everybody participating in the parade for Ram Navami today do so in silence. Please stay away from Muslim neighborhoods during Ramadan. Celebrate without violence and in a peaceful manner. Avoid being irritated. According to some BJP leaders, during the processions, they will enter with swords and knives. But keep in mind that a crime is a crime, and the courts won't spare you, Mamata Banerjee advised.
GUJARAT
Ram Navami clash in Gujarat's Vadodara.
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) March 30, 2023
Watch #6PMPrime with @Akshita_N : https://t.co/CgxdZczst7#Vadodra @gopimaniar pic.twitter.com/jSwFt4bV5O
On Thursday, stones were thrown at a Shobha Yatra that had been held in honour of Ram Navami in the Fatehpur neighborhood of Gujarat's Vadodara district.
On camera, some miscreants can be seen throwing stones from roofs at the Ram Navami procession. Officers are seen attempting to contain the incident.
No one was hurt in the event, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Yashpal Jaganiya, and the procession was protected by police as it travelled along its intended route despite some vehicles being damaged.
Police have taken 14 persons into custody as a result of the incident.
MAHARASHTRA
Violence in Maharahtra's Jalgaon.#6PMPrime #Jalgaon pic.twitter.com/W43zqdXXch
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) March 30, 2023
On Wednesday evening, two guys got into a fight in the Kiradpura neighborhood of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The situation worsened when more individuals arrived at the scene and began throwing stones at one another, according to the police, who also reported that the crowd set a number of police and public vehicles on fire outside the temple.
Following the altercation between the two groups, a mob of about 500 people threw stones and bottles filled with petrol while police attempted to calm the scene. The conflicts resulted in the injuries of at least 12 people, including 10 police officers.
"It began when two groups—each consisting of about five people—started fighting close to the Ram temple. One group eventually fled the area, and the police soon arrived. Within an hour, a mob formed there and attacked the police officers with bottles packed with fuel and stones "Nikhil Gupta, the police commissioner in Aurangabad, stated to a local news outlet.
Violence was also seen on Thursday in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. Due to music being played outside of a mosque while namaz was being offered, a fight broke out between two groups.
"Two FIRs have been filed, and 45 persons have been taken into custody so far. The violence has harmed four persons. The area's current situation is calm and under control, according to M. Rajkumar, the Jalgaon SP, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister who is also in charge of housing, described the situation as "unfortunate." Additionally, he cautioned political parties against giving the violent clashes "political color."
"The incident that took place in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is extremely regrettable, and attempts are being made to keep calm in the neighborhood. Yet, some individuals are making controversial statements in an effort to poison the atmosphere, according to Devendra Fadnavis.
"In my opinion, political leaders ought to be able to act appropriately in such circumstances. Thus, anyone making such inaccurate remarks should stop. Everyone needs to keep the peace. When asked about certain leaders blaming him for the tragedy, he responded, "If someone is trying to lend political color to this situation, then it is unfortunate.
