Tension gripped Jwalapur in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday evening when unidentified individuals pelted stones at a Bajrang Dal procession marking Shaurya Diwas, prompting swift police intervention and heavy deployment to restore order. The procession, originating from three separate locations—Jwalapur, Haridwar city, and Kankhal—converged toward Ram Chowk, where the attack occurred near Durga Chowk and Saini Ashram, leading to immediate chaos among participants. No injuries were reported, but the incident escalated rapidly as enraged Bajrang Dal activists arrived with bulldozers, signaling readiness for further action if authorities failed to respond.
Bajrang Dal’s Response and Bulldozer Protest
In the aftermath, Bajrang Dal workers gathered at Arya Nagar Chowk for a vigorous protest, later bringing bulldozers to Jwalapur to warn stone-pelters and press the administration for accountability. Provincial President Anuj Walia accused the local administration of failing to maintain law and order, stating that open attacks on religious processions exposed systemic lapses, and vowed to return bulldozers to the streets if arrests were not made promptly. Despite the standoff, activists complied with police requests to withdraw the machinery out of respect for law enforcement, though they demanded video footage analysis for swift identification and action against perpetrators.
Police Measures and FIR Registration
Haridwar City SP Abhay Pratap Singh confirmed the stone-pelting by anti-social elements and announced an FIR against unidentified persons, with investigations relying on CCTV footage and on-site videos to pinpoint culprits. Additional police forces were deployed across sensitive areas, including Jwalapur market, to prevent escalation and ensure public safety, stabilizing the situation by nightfall. Authorities appealed to residents to avoid rumors and maintain peace, with no further incidents reported as of late Sunday.
Broader Context of Shaurya Diwas Procession
The Shaurya Yatra, organized by Bajrang Dal to commemorate Shaurya Diwas, aimed to rally participants from key Haridwar locales but turned volatile upon reaching Ram Chowk in Jwalapur, a communally sensitive zone with a strong Muslim presence. Bajrang Dal’s mobilization highlighted ongoing concerns over security for Hindu processions in the region, with Walia emphasizing the need for stringent measures to deter future attacks. As of December 9, 2025, police continue monitoring the area amid heightened alertness.
