Islamists attacked a Hindu Shobha Yatra on the eve (21 January) of Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Mumbai’s Mira Road. The violence continued on the day of Pran Pratishtha, too, when several Hindus were attacked with swords. Following this, the Maharashtra government initiated bulldozer action against the miscreants to send a stern message.

Islamist attack on Hindus

“We were passing by when our two-wheeler was attacked. The mob was breaking windshields of vehicles carrying images of Hindu Bhagwans. They also kicked our vehicle. I told them we were only passing by, so let us go. More people joined the mob, and they also broke the handle of our Bullet’s handle. I was trying to handle my son when someone hit me. I didn’t even realise till my son pointed out that I was bleeding. We tried to escape as fast as we could,” said one of the victims, narrating her ordeal.

Another woman who was assaulted by the Islamist mob narrated a similar tale. The Islamists broke the windscreen of her car. The Islamists not only broke windshields of vehicles but also dragged and beat up women. They asked the women if Sri Ram would come to save them and also forced them to chant ‘Allah-hu-Akbar.’

Reports indicate that the Islamists targeted Hindu religious sentiments by tearing flags adorned with images of Bhagwan Hanuman. The police have arrested 13 individuals in connection with the case, withholding details due to the matter’s sensitivity.

Mira Bhayander MLA Geeta Jain said that they were apprised of the situation. They came to know that despicable acts like puking on the Bhagwa flag and forcing women to chant Islamic slogans were carried out. She warned that such acts wouldn’t be tolerated.

Firebrand BJP MLA Nitesh Rane highlighted that Islamists had uploaded videos on their social media accounts threatening Hindus. He said the Aadhar cards of those visiting Naya Nagar were being checked. He said they had shown the videos to the Police Commissioner and asked him to take strict action, failing which they would’ve to intervene.

Advocate Ravi Vyas has taken up the case of the victims. He said that the Islamist violence was pre-planned. There is an attempt to make the Mira Bhayander area a no-go zone. Islamists were waiting for an opportunity to attack Hindus who raise Jai Shri Ram slogans and carry Bhagwa Flags because they knew that there would be celebrations in connection with the Pran Pratishtha. He has asked the police to investigate and unveil the pre-planned conspiracy. Additionally, he sought the arrest of those criminals who were roaming free.

Ravi informed the media that they rushed to the spot on learning of the attack. At the spot, they saw glass pieces strewn everywhere. Many people, including women who had received injuries and were bleeding profusely, were taken to the hospital for medical attention. He said we have assured the victims of complete support. We also registered an FIR in the matter. Ravi pointed out that the perpetrators were Islamists of Naya Nagar, many of whom have criminal histories.

The FIR filed in the case reveals that the complainant, while travelling in the Mira Road region, was threatened and attacked by 50-60 individuals from a specific community. The assailants targeted his car with rods, removed the Hindu flag placed on it, and puked on a poster of Sri Hanuman on the car bonnet. The complainant reported being hit on the head with an iron rod, and the attackers also pelted stones at women and children accompanying him.

The complaint invokes sections 307 (attempt to murder), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 141 (unlawful assembly), 143, 147, 149, and 427 (mischief causing damage) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Bulldozer action

Mumbai Police and administration took decisive action against Islamists who attacked Hindus in the Mira Road region of Mumbai after Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis assured strict action against the perpetrators.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to zero tolerance for those disrupting law and order in the state. Fadnavis, having gathered detailed information about the incident in NayaNagar, Mira Bhayender, directed the police to take stringent action against the perpetrators. In response to the attack, the Mumbai Police, accompanied by the Maharashtra Security Force, demolished illegal constructions linked to the accused individuals involved in the clash.