A troubling surge in incidents of religious intolerance, particularly perpetrated by Islamist groups, has cast a shadow over Hindu celebrations, with Diwali repeatedly becoming a target. Over the past two decades, and especially highlighted in recent years, these attacks reveal an escalating pattern of aggression aimed at disrupting Hindu festivals.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users are voicing strong condemnation of the increasing attacks on Hindu celebrations, with many noting the shift from sporadic targeting of religious processions to direct disruptions of Diwali festivities in 2024. Concerned citizens are pointing out that such incidents are a stark signal of rising extremism, with discussions around Ghazwa-e-Hind—a concept of religious conquest—surfacing in the discourse. Many warn that with this shift, attacks on Hindu cultural expressions may only intensify, urging the Hindu community to stay vigilant as calls for protecting Bharat’s religious harmony grow louder across social media.
Indore, MP: Islamist mob launched violent attack on Diwali celebrations
In Indore’s Chhatripura police station area, a post-Diwali dispute over children bursting firecrackers escalated into a violent confrontation involving stone-pelting, arson, and significant property damage. Based on the reports from Tv9 Hindi, on November 1, children celebrating Diwali were confronted by Islamist residents, Salman, Sanu, and Javed, who demanded they stop bursting crackers. When the family insisted on continuing their celebration, the argument quickly turned into physical violence. The situation intensified as Salman and his associates gathered others, leading to an attack on the family, including women, and resulting in injuries to multiple individuals. The violence further escalated as stones were thrown at houses and bikes and autos were set ablaze.
As the news of the altercation spread, members of Hindu organizations arrived at the scene, amplifying the unrest. Police officials, including Additional Commissioner Amit Singh, arrived promptly, deploying a substantial police force to contain the escalating situation. Top officials continued patrolling the area late into the night, appealing for calm among residents. The presence of these authorities ultimately restored order after five to six hours of effort.
Adding to the tension, some Hindu residents reported feeling pressured to vacate their homes in an area now predominantly occupied by Islamist families. There have been claims that these disputes are not isolated incidents, with recent events during the Ganesh festival similarly sparking community concerns. Police suspect that outsiders may be fueling these disturbances and have initiated efforts to monitor the area closely, including checking for unfamiliar individuals and deploying drones. FIRs have been registered against four individuals involved in the attack, all remaining at large as the police conduct ongoing searches.
Tension in Bareilly, UP: ‘786’ graffiti found at Devi Maa temple
On Diwali, a tense situation emerged in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, after “786” was found written on the wall of a Devi Maa temple in the village of Gotha Khandua. This temple, dedicated to Maa Gama Devi, holds deep significance for local devotees. Based on the reports from OpIndia, early Diwali morning, worshippers discovered the markings, which quickly fueled concerns over an alleged attempt to disrupt the festive atmosphere. News of the incident spread rapidly, prompting villagers to demand strict police action against those responsible. Authorities responded by erasing the markings, restoring the temple, and assuring the community of a thorough investigation. Hindu groups have also urged the police to identify and apprehend the individuals involved.
In a related incident, stone pelting reportedly occurred in Hafizganj, another part of Bareilly district, after a dispute broke out over fireworks celebrations. Sachin, a Hindu resident, filed a complaint alleging that local Islamist youths—Nasir, Imran Ansari, and Anas—confronted him for bursting crackers. Tensions rose, leading to stone-pelting at Sachin’s home by a group of men. Police have taken cognisance of both incidents, and investigations are underway to determine the parties responsible.
Islamists object to Diwali decorations in Navi Mumbai
In Navi Mumbai’s Taloja Sector 9 area, tensions have emerged between two communities over Diwali celebrations outside Panchanand Society. According to ABP News reports, members of the Islamic community reportedly objected to the lighting and decorations in public spaces for Diwali, leading to a dispute. Women from the Islamic community allegedly used offensive language during the disagreement, intensifying the discord.
The current dispute stems from a June 16, 2024, decision by society members, who agreed not to host any festival celebrations in common areas after the Bakrid incident. The society’s management emphasized that any public festival activities would be the sole responsibility of the organizers. In line with this decision, members of the society are now insisting on enforcing the rule, urging the community to respect the prior agreement regarding celebrations in shared spaces.
Mira Bhayander, Mumbai: 10-12 injured in Diwali attack
In Mumbai’s Mira Bhayander region, communal tensions flared up on October 27, when a group of Islamist individuals reportedly attacked members of the Hindu community for celebrating Diwali by bursting firecrackers. According to OpIndia reports, approximately 10–12 people sustained serious injuries after being assaulted with sharp weapons, including ice breakers and glass bottles, wielded by attackers from the Islamic community. Videos circulating on social media show a large Islamist radical group involved in the attack, adding to the public’s alarm. While the Thane Police confirmed the incident, details regarding the accused or immediate actions taken remain limited due to the case’s sensitivity.
Following the assault, several Hindu residents gathered at the scene and later at Navghar Police Station, demanding strict action against those responsible. They raised slogans, calling for justice and heightened security measures. Although police eventually arrived at the site, some victims noted they arrived only after the attackers had dispersed. Subsequently, police took several Hindu individuals to the station for questioning, where a formal complaint was later filed.
BJP leader’s husband attacked, knife assaults, vehicles torched, 25 detained
A violent incident in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, has left the community shaken as BJP councillor Manju Devi’s husband, Devendra Singh Hada, and others were attacked and injured on Diwali. Based on the reports from OpIndia, a group of 40–50 Islamic individuals reportedly confronted Hada near his tea shop, objecting to the bursting of firecrackers. The altercation escalated quickly when a youth, identified as Azharuddin, allegedly attacked Hada with a knife, stabbing him multiple times. Several others, including Hada’s nephew, Yogesh, were also assaulted, leading to serious injuries. The attackers reportedly also set fire to three vehicles and pelted stones, creating widespread chaos. The police, who arrived at the scene after the attackers fled, registered multiple FIRs and have since detained 25 individuals, including four key suspects who were paraded in custody to maintain public order.
In response to the attack, large groups from the Hindu community gathered at the hospital, demanding strict action against the Islamist perpetrators. Additional security forces were deployed in the area to control tensions. Further complaints have been filed by residents, detailing attacks on homes with stones and iron rods. A significant threat to evacuate the area was also reported by locals, raising fears of communal displacement. The police are actively investigating the incident, with multiple suspects identified and allegations spanning violent assault, arson, and intimidation.
Jamia Millia Diwali celebration turns violent
A Diwali celebration at Jamia Millia Islamia University, called Jyotirmay 2024 and organized by Rashtriya Kala Manch, descended into violence on Tuesday night following clashes between student groups. Based on the reports from Arclantic, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were observing the festival near Gate No. 7 by lighting diyas and creating rangoli designs when a group of opposing Islamic students reportedly disrupted the event, trampling the decorations and shouting slogans. This act of desecrating the decorations led to a physical confrontation, prompting a swift police response to contain the situation. Ravi Kumar Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, confirmed that both groups engaged in heated sloganeering, and police forces remained on-site overnight to ensure safety.
Before this incident, another pre-Diwali event, “Deepotsav,” organised peacefully by student group #YUVA, was also disrupted as a few Islamist individuals reportedly damaged rangoli decorations and shouted slogans, signalling rising tensions. Following the clash, the Jamia unit of the Student Federation of India (SFI) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) criticized the ABVP, tried to deviate from the incident claiming the event was a pretext for bringing in external ABVP supporters to incite violence. The police are continuing to monitor the situation as conflicting accounts of the event circulate, reflecting the campus’s tense environment during what was meant to be a celebratory occasion.
Based on the recent compilation of reports documenting attacks during Diwali from 2005 to 2024, there have been 22 major incidents where Hindu festivities became targets of radical hostility. This recurring violence against Hindus, as highlighted in the Hindu Post, underscores the increasing insecurity faced by the Hindu community, especially during their most sacred festivals. These incidents reveal an alarming trend where extremist elements attempt to disrupt Hindu cultural and religious expressions, raising concerns about the safety and respect for Hindu traditions in Bharat. It is imperative that such attacks are condemned in the strongest terms and that swift, decisive action is taken to protect Hindus from being subjected to targeted violence during their cultural celebrations.
