In the run-up to the Pran Prathishta of Ram Mandir, Hindus across the country carried out Shobha Yatras to celebrate the occasion. Islamists attacked Hindus by pelting stones at Shobha Yatras conducted in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
Solapur, Maharashtra
In Solapur, Maharashtra, Islamists attacked a Hindu Shobha yatra celebrating the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. A post by the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) stated that a celebration rally in Shashtri Nagar’s Mouali Chowk of Solapur was attacked by Islamists, leaving several Hindu youths injured. Some injured were identified as Arjun Shentri, Nagesh Hatture, Jayraj Gavde, and Sagar. They were hospitalised after being seriously injured. “I was stopped and attacked. My injuries required stitches, and I was bleeding profusely,” one of the injured victims said. LRO has sought strict action against the attackers.
Mira Road, Maharashtra
An Islamist mob violently attacked a Shobha Yatra in Mumbai’s suburb Mira Road on 21 January night around 11 pm. Police have reportedly arrested five persons in connection with the case. The incident involved an assault on Hindus, including women, following a clash during a Hindu Shobha Yatra. Media reports attempted to downplay the Islamist actions, labelling it as a ‘clash.’ Videos on social media platform X showed Islamists attacking Hindus, shouting religious slogans. Naya Nagar Police filed cases under attempt to murder and promote religious enmity, arresting five individuals.
Belagavi, Karnataka
In response to a stone-pelting incident between two groups in Belagavi city, Karnataka Police increased security measures, deploying two KSRP platoons at sensitive locations. The clash erupted when a group, chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ after the Ayodhya Pran Prathistha, faced a stone attack. The targeted youths retaliated, prompting police intervention with a lathi charge to restore order. Post-police action, the conflicting groups dispersed. Market police are analysing CCTV footage to identify those involved. The heightened security aims to prevent further unrest in the wake of the incident within the jurisdiction of the Market police station. https://twitter.com/hindupost/status/1750028917455413747?s=20
Mehsana, Gujarat
The Gujarat Police has taken decisive action in response to a stone-pelting incident during Bhagwan Ram’s Shobha Yatra in Kheralu, Mehsana district. An FIR has been filed against 32 individuals from the Muslim community, accused of planning and executing the attack with stones collected from rooftops. Armed with weapons, they targeted devotees, damaged yatra tractors, and injured participants. PSI J.K. Gadvi filed the complaint, listing charges under IPC sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 307, 332, 323, 337, 506(2), 120B, 427, and Gujarat Police Act section 135. Fifteen suspects were arrested in a combing operation, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused. The incident occurred during a pre-consecration procession in Kheralu before Ayodhya’s grand ceremony. Hindu organisations attribute the stone pelting to a premeditated conspiracy near a mosque in a Muslim-dominated area, resulting in injuries and a stampede.
Vadodara, Gujarat
In an alleged case of stone-pelting during a Shobha Yatra procession in Bhoj village, Vadodara, 16 people were booked for attempted murder by the Gujarat Police. The FIR, filed at Vadu Police station, mentioned eight injuries resulting from a “criminal conspiracy” to kill Hindu participants. The incident occurred during the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Tension erupted when the yatra passed through Nagina Masjid lane, leading to a heated exchange and stone pelting. The village, with a majority of the minority community, witnessed a clash believed to be premeditated due to escalating tension. Despite police deployment and community conversations, eight people, including five women, suffered minor injuries. The FIR accused individuals of deliberately removing religious flags earlier and conspiring to attack the Shobha Yatra. The police are conducting a combing operation to apprehend the accused, and all 16 individuals face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, rioting, promoting enmity between groups, and causing hurt. Vadodara Superintendent of Police Rohan Anand described the incident as a pre-planned attack, emphasising the ongoing efforts to ensure law and order and expressing optimism about the swift arrest of the suspects—the FIR detailed statements indicating an intention to harm Hindus during the yatra.
Attacking Hindus especially during Shobha yatras has become more and more common these days. We saw how the yatra at Nuh escalated into a riot situation or be it any other Kavad yatra, the story is the same, the modus operandi is the same.
