In a shocking incident in Maharashtra's Jalna district, Vicky Hawale, a Hindu youth, was brutally attacked by two Muslim youths in the Partur area. According to a report by Sudarshan News, the attack occurred while Hawale was dining at a hotel with his younger brother. The situation escalated when Hawale received a phone call, and the “Jai Shree Ram” ringtone played, provoking anger from two Muslim men seated nearby. The altercation quickly turned violent, resulting in severe injuries to Hawale.
Hawale was immediately taken to a hospital where he has been receiving treatment for the past four days. Despite the gravity of the assault, which left Hawale gravely injured, the police have yet to take action against the assailants, even though a formal complaint has been filed.
The violent assault on Vicky Hawale and his brother took a darker turn as new details emerged. While the brothers were sitting in their cabin at the hotel, two Muslim men, one reportedly named Sameer, forcibly entered and viciously thrashed Vicky. The brutal attack was captured on the hotel’s CCTV cameras. Reports indicate that the perpetrators were involved in numerous illegal activities and have been operating with impunity, allegedly sharing their illicit proceeds with local authorities. Despite a First Information Report (FIR) being filed, there was a notable lack of action from the police, who were accused of attempting to weaken the case to protect the culprits.
This incident sparked a significant outrage among the Hindu community and various Hindu organizations, who are now demanding strict charges against the attackers. The perceived inaction and possible complicity of the authorities have further fueled anger and calls for justice.
Assault on Hindu Shop Owner in Bengaluru for Playing Hanuman Chalisa
In a related incident in March of this year, a Hindu shop owner named Mukesh was assaulted by a group of Islamists for playing Hanuman Chalisa and other Hindu devotional songs in his shop, which is situated near a mosque in Bengaluru. The altercation in Siddanna Galli came to public attention after a video of the attack went viral on social media, showing the miscreants assaulting Mukesh. Despite Mukesh filing a complaint at the Halasuru Gate police station, the authorities were initially reluctant to take action. This prompted a large group of local traders to gather outside the police station, exerting pressure on the police to act. Consequently, Suleiman, Shahnawaz, and Rohit were booked as the main accused in the case.
Following the assault on Mukesh, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a large-scale protest demanding stern punishment for the attackers. Mukesh recounted that when the assailants, claiming it was time for Azaan, confronted him, he tried to explain that there was still time left. Ignoring his explanation, they grabbed him by the neck, beat him, and threatened to stab him with a knife when he stepped out of his shop. Despite these allegations, the police maintained that there was no communal angle to the incident. In a controversial move, the Halasuru Gate police station later filed a case against Mukesh based on a counter-complaint by Mah Jabeen, Suleiman’s mother.
Islamists Disrupt Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra, Attacked Hindus and Unleashes Havoc
Jahangirpuri, Delhi: On April 16, 2022, a Hanuman Jayanti procession faced a barrage of stone pelting in Jahangirpuri, Delhi. The situation turned volatile as stone pelters targeted the procession from rooftops, prompting some participants to retaliate in kind. The confrontation quickly spiraled out of control as the mob directed their aggression towards law enforcement, launching stones and gunfire. Amidst the chaos, both police officers and civilians found themselves under attack, resulting in injuries to several individuals. Among the casualties, a sub-inspector of the Delhi police sustained gunshot wounds inflicted by the unruly mob. Additionally, numerous vehicles were damaged amidst the onslaught on the Hanuman Jayanti procession.
Roorkee, Uttarakhand: In another disturbing incident on April 16, 2022, tensions flared in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, as a Muslim mob targeted Hindus participating in the Hanuman Jayanti Shobhayatra. The procession, organized by Bajrang Dal activists and villagers to commemorate Hanuman Jayanti in the Bhagwanpur Police station area of Haridwar district, took a violent turn as it reached the village of Dada Patti. Reports indicate that the peaceful procession was disrupted when a Muslim mob residing in nearby houses began hurling stones at the participants. The situation escalated rapidly, with gunfire also reported, resulting in injuries to over ten people, including police personnel.
Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: A similar incident unfolded in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, echoing recent attacks on Hanuman Jayanti processions. Reports emerged from Holagunda, detailing an assault on a yatra. Stones were reportedly hurled at the procession, which was accompanied by loud music, provoking individuals gathered at a nearby mosque for an Iftar meal. This perceived disturbance escalated into an outbreak of stone-pelting and violence, resulting in injuries to 15 people. In response, authorities swiftly acted, arresting 20 individuals in connection with the incident.
When Islamists unleashed mayhem on the Hindu festival of Ram Navami
Similarly, Ram Navami, the sacred birth anniversary of Lord Rama, turned into a scene of chaos and violence across five states as Islamists launched attacks on the occasion. The festivities, revered by Hindus, were marred by incidents of stone pelting, targeted assaults, arson, and vandalism as processions traversed what were labeled as 'Muslim dominated areas'. The clashes not only disrupted the celebrations but also deepened communal tensions in the affected regions.
Ram Navami Procession in Jharkhand: On April 10, 2022, a Ram Navami procession and fair faced a violent attack in Bhokta Bagicha, located in the Hirhi village within Jharkhand's Lohardaga district. The incident unfolded within the jurisdiction of the Sadar Police Station, where Islamists reportedly targeted the Hindu procession. Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos as stones were hurled at the procession, while several vehicles, including 10 motorcycles, were set ablaze. The violence left more than 16 individuals injured, with three victims reported to be in critical condition.
Two incidents of Stone-pelting and Arson in Madhya Pradesh: In Madhya Pradesh, a Ram Navami procession originating from the Talab Chowk area was abruptly halted midway as it faced a barrage of stones, forcing participants to abandon the march. The situation escalated further as several vehicles were set ablaze amidst the chaos. Law enforcement authorities, in a bid to restore order, resorted to firing tear gas shells. Amidst the orgy of violence, a total of 24 individuals sustained injuries, including six police personnel. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the fact that even the Superintendent of Police (Khargone) suffered bullet wounds during the unrest.
A similar stone-pelting incident marred a Ram Navami procession in Sendhwa town of Barwani district, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including Baldev Singh Mujalde, the in-charge of a local police station, and five others. The sudden outbreak of violence disrupted the proceedings, prompting concerns about public safety. However, swift action by authorities managed to bring the situation under control, allowing the procession to resume peacefully thereafter.
Ram Navami Procession Attacked in West Bengal: A Ram Navami procession in Howrah, West Bengal, also faced a violent attack by local Muslims, forcing devotees to abandon the march. The incident, which unfolded in the twin city of Kolkata, saw several participants injured as stones were hurled at the procession. Social media platforms were flooded with videos depicting the chaos, highlighting the severity of the situation. According to reports from Twitter users in the city, the Muslim mob's onslaught continued unabated, while the police were criticized for their apparent inaction, remaining mere spectators to the unfolding violence.
Stone pelting in Ram Navami Shobha Yatra in Himmatnagar and Khambat, Gujarat: On April 10, 2022, the peaceful observance of Ram Navami was marred by acts of violence in two separate incidents in Gujarat. In Chhaparia village, Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha, a Ram Navami Shobha Yatra faced targeted aggression from local Muslim individuals, who resorted to pelting stones at the procession. The unsettling incident also saw vandalism, with several vehicles damaged in the onslaught.
Similarly, in Khambat town, Anand district, a Ram Navami procession fell victim to stone-pelting by Islamists, resulting in damage to shops and vehicles. The escalation prompted law enforcement to intervene, firing tear gas shells and apprehending nine individuals, including three Maulvis, in connection with the attacks. Tragically, the violence in Khambat claimed a life.
Ram Navami procession attacked in Karnataka: Communal tensions gripped Mulbagal town in Karnataka's Kolar district following an attack on a Sri Ram Shobha Yatra. The incident occurred as the procession, organized ahead of Ram Navmi, sought to celebrate the revered occasion. According to reports, the Sri Ram idol, a focal point of the procession, became the target of stone pelting by unidentified miscreants. Adding to the chaos, cars and motorcycles accompanying the yatra were also subjected to attacks, with one motorcycle set ablaze amidst the stone pelting.
Islamists pelt stones, and glass bottles at Ram Navami Akhada procession in Odisha: On April 12, 2022, a Ram Navami Akhada procession, organized by Hindu devotees, faced a violent attack in Joda town of Keonjhar district, Odisha. Tensions had been simmering since the previous day, April 11, when devotees, carrying religious flags, approached the temple of Lord Shiva in ward number 4. However, their progress was obstructed by protesters from the Muslim community, who blocked the road and engaged in heated arguments with the devotees. The situation quickly escalated as the protesters resorted to pelting stones and glass bottles at the devotees, resulting in violent clashes and leaving several individuals injured.
Islamist Aggression Unleashed During Navaratri Processions
Islamists unleash mayhem in Karauli, Rajasthan during Navaratri: On April 2, 2022, Hatwara Bazaar area in Karauli witnessed a disturbing outbreak of communal violence as miscreants targeted a Hindu bike rally with a barrage of stones. The rally, commemorating the Hindu new year 'Nav Samvatsar', was passing through a Muslim-dominated locality when chaos ensued. Over a dozen shops were set ablaze, along with three bikes, in the midst of the turmoil. The incident left a total of 43 individuals injured, including policemen, with all victims receiving treatment at the district hospital. Pushpendra, one of the injured, is reported to be in a critical condition and has been referred to Jaipur for further medical attention. Additionally, four policemen accompanying the rally sustained injuries from the stone-pelting, with reports suggesting knife marks on the bodies of some injured individuals admitted to the hospital.
Stone Pelting, violence in Firozabad after Muslims clash with Dalit Hindus during Navratri Celebrations: On October 21, 2022, tensions flared in Village Dikhtauli, Shikohabad, District Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, as a particular community reportedly pelted stones on a Devi Pandal during the evening aarti. The pandal, adorned with Mata Durga's Moorti, stood on a plot adjacent to the road, constructed by members of the Dalit community. According to allegations, simmering animosity between the Dalit and Muslim communities escalated due to ongoing Navratri celebrations. The Dalit community claimed that individuals from the Muslim community had been disturbing their religious rituals by consuming alcohol and using abusive language during the aarti. These provocations culminated in a confrontation between the two groups, resulting in a fight. However, authorities, including the police, refuted claims of any communal angle to the incident and dismissed reports of stone-pelting on the Durga Puja Pandal as false.
When Durga Puja Celebrations were Obstructed by Radical Islamists
Stone pelting at Durga Puja Visarjan procession in Balrampur: In 2019, following the conclusion of Navratri and Durga Puja festivities, a disturbing video surfaced on social media, sparking widespread outrage. The viral footage captured a Durga Puja Visarjan procession in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, being subjected to a barrage of heavy stone-pelting. Responding to the video, authorities confirmed the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the incident. Shedding light on the altercation, the Additional Superintendent of Police in Balrampur revealed that the procession came under attack as it passed by a mosque. Typically, the procession, known for its DJ and loud music, passes in front of the mosque, where it is customary to switch off the music temporarily. However, on this occasion, the music continued to play, provoking members of the Muslim community nearby, who responded with violence.
In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Tensions escalated when meat pieces were found thrown on the procession route: In a troubling incident in 2019, tensions soared as meat pieces were strategically placed along the route of the Durga idol immersion procession, leading to heightened communal unease. The deliberate act, aimed at disrupting the procession, prompted an immediate response, with an FIR registered against unidentified perpetrators. Reports indicated that three separate visarjan processions were underway when participants discovered the meat pieces strewn along the roadside.
Incidents when Islamists displayed Hinduphobia during a celebratory procession on Holi
300 Muslims united to attack Hindus with swords in Begusarai, Bihar: In Begusarai's Rajour, communal tensions erupted as the Muslim community allegedly launched a violent attack on the Hindu community, wielding sharp swords and knives. The confrontation, which left more than 20 Hindus severely injured, reportedly stemmed from a minor altercation between children from the two communities. However, the situation quickly escalated as over 300 Muslims reportedly banded together to assault the Hindus during the Holi festivities. Speaking out on the incident, a Hindu organization in Rajour expressed concerns over the area's sensitive nature, highlighting the growing sense of insecurity among Hindus. Criticisms were also directed at the police for their perceived inaction in addressing the violence. The injured victims were subsequently admitted to hospitals for treatment.
Islamists halt Holi celebratory procession, pelt stones at Hindus in Jharkhand: On March 18, 2022, festivities turned sour in Topchanchi, Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, as members of the Muslim community allegedly engaged in stone-pelting during the celebration of Holi, targeting Hindus. Reports suggest that tensions arose when Islamists obstructed Hindus from passing through a particular area, claiming it as their own, leading to a confrontation. Matters escalated when the Hindus objected, prompting the stone-pelting by the opposing group. The situation further deteriorated as police vehicles became targets of the stone-pelters. In an effort to restore order, law enforcement resorted to lathi-charge to quell the unrest.
When Islamists Attack Hindu’s auspicious Kanwar Yatra
In recent times, the annual Kanwar Yatra, a revered Hindu pilgrimage where devotees embark on foot journeys to sacred sites like Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri in Uttarakhand, and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of the River Ganga for their local Shiva temples, has faced challenges from radical Islamists. The Yatra, a deeply significant tradition for Hindus, has encountered disruptions and attacks from extremist elements. Despite its spiritual importance and peaceful nature, instances of hostility from radical Islamist groups have cast a shadow over the pilgrimage, raising concerns about the safety and security of devotees.
Muslim mob attacks Kanwar Yatris in Jaipur, sets buses on fire: In 2019, a shocking incident unfolded in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where a Muslim mob targeted a bus carrying Kanwariyas en route to Haridwar for the annual Kanwar Yatra. The situation turned violent as stones were hurled at the bus, resulting in injuries to more than 30 devotees. The altercation reportedly began on the day of the Eid festival when members of the Muslim community engaged in a dispute with the Kanwariyas. Later that night, as the Kanwariyas embarked on their pilgrimage, a large and enraged Muslim mob gathered near Idgah at Delhi Road. The mob allegedly launched a barrage of stones at the bus and subsequently set it ablaze, causing extensive damage to over 10 buses. Amidst the chaos, hundreds of devotees sought refuge in a nearby Hanuman temple, prompting police intervention to evacuate them and ensure their safety from the violent onslaught. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the Hindu devotees managed to find sanctuary, albeit with reports of damage to their vehicles inflicted by the stone-pelting mob.
Vehicle carrying Kanwaris in Uttar Pradesh pelted with stones in front of Idgah during Eid Namaz: In 2019, another attack on Kanwariyas unfolded, this time in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred in the Islamnagar area when Kanwariyas were near an Idgah, returning with holy water. Reports indicate that during the Bakrid Namaj prayers, a tractor-trailer carrying Kanwariyas passed near the Idgah, drawing the ire of some miscreants who began pelting stones at the vehicle. The attack was allegedly prompted by the presence of music on the vehicle during the Namaz prayers, leading to a confrontation.
Sensing danger, the tractor driver accelerated away from the scene in an attempt to protect the passengers. However, the miscreants pursued the vehicle for approximately 2 kilometers along the Budaun Bisauli road, eventually surrounding it near Nai Basti. There, the attackers resumed their assault, hurling stones at the Kanwariyas and inflicting injuries on several individuals.
Kanwariyas lynched for saying ‘Bol-Bam’: In another troubling trend observed in 2019, multiple incidents of violence and attempts to disrupt the Kanwar Yatra came to light. On July 22, 2019, the first Monday of Saawan, two Kanwariyas faced a brutal assault in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The attackers, reportedly from the Muslim community, targeted the Kanwariyas for chanting 'Bol-Bam', a sacred invocation associated with the pilgrimage.
When Jihadis attack Hindus during Saraswati puja celebrations
Over the years, Saraswati Puja celebrations, a cherished Hindu festival, have been marred by numerous incidents of violence perpetrated by Muslim mobs.
Tragically, one such incident claimed the life of Rupesh Pandey, a minor, during the Saraswati Puja idol immersion procession on February 6, 2022. Rupesh, the 17-year-old son of Sikandar Pandey, was participating in the religious procession when it encountered unexpected resistance from a gathering of Muslims in the Lakhna Dulmaha Imambada area of Nai Taand village, under the jurisdiction of Barhi police station in Hazaribagh. Tensions escalated as a confrontation ensued between the Hindu devotees and the mob, resulting in Rupesh Pandey being severely beaten. Tragically, despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, Rupesh succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival.
In another distressing incident during Saraswati Puja celebrations, the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand witnessed an outbreak of violence as tensions flared between Muslim and Hindu communities during an idol immersion procession. The altercation erupted during the immersion of the Saraswati idol at Lakhe Sundi Basti near Hazaribagh, sparking a heated exchange between the two groups. Reports indicate that a Muslim mob launched an attack on the procession, resorting to stone-pelting and causing damage to the vehicle carrying the idol for immersion. The confrontation resulted in injuries to four youths.
Vishwakarma idol procession attacked by Islamists
In September 2020, a peaceful Vishwakarma idol immersion procession turned violent when a group of Hindu devotees encountered hostility in a Muslim-dominated area of Motihari, Bihar. On September 18, in Tarnia village, Motihari block, Bihar, tensions escalated as Muslim assailants launched an attack on the Hindu group, wielding lathis and bamboos. The unprovoked assault resulted in several injuries among the devotees, and reports indicated damage to the revered Lord Vishwakarma idol during the altercation.
Similarly, in 2019, communal tensions flared in Patna when an idol immersion procession passed in front of the Dalalji ki Masjid in Alamganj. The confrontation between the two communities spiraled into violence, leaving over a dozen policemen injured in the clash.
Communal tension during Janmashtami
In 2019, Bareilly district's Baheri tehsil witnessed simmering communal tensions during the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. In the village of Makri Nacada, festivities took a distressing turn as members of the Muslim community initiated a violent confrontation by pelting stones at devotees participating in a procession commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna.
Conclusion
The series of attacks carried out by Islamists on Hindus during their festivals in recent years reveal a disturbing pattern indicative of a larger agenda aimed at disrupting Hindu processions. These incidents, scattered across the country, serve as alarming manifestations of an insidious Islamist ideology driven by pathological hatred towards non-Muslims. The attacks on Hindu festival processions provide a glimpse into the entrenched fanaticism that propels extremists to target celebrations integral to Hindu culture and tradition.
Moreover, beyond the assaults on festival processions, Hindu temples and places of worship have also fallen prey to Islamist aggression. This longstanding hostility towards Hindus stems from a warped perception fueled by religious dogma, where Hindus are viewed as idol-worshipping 'Kaafirs' to be targeted and eradicated. The relentless attacks on Hindu shrines underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to safeguard religious freedom and promote harmony among diverse communities in the country.
In essence, the spate of attacks on Hindu festivals and places of worship highlights the imperative for collective action to combat extremist ideologies and uphold the fundamental principles of tolerance, coexistence, and respect for religious diversity. Only through sustained efforts to address underlying prejudices and promote mutual understanding can society hope to transcend the cycle of violence and build a future founded on peace and unity.
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