Violence and arson mark Ram Navami celebrations in India. After Delhi Police denied permission to hold a procession in northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area – which had witnessed communal violence last April – as many as 1,000 people clad in saffron walked with religious flags and raised slogans on March 30.
In Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat, incidents of stone pelting and arson were reported. Both members of public and police personnel were said to have been injured in the incidents, leading police to make arrests in at least one case.
Aurangabad
Meanwhile, two incidents of Ram Navami-related violence were reported from Maharashtra. As per a report, “A riot-like situation prevailed in Sambhajinagar city (formerly Aurangabad) of Maharashtra in the wee hours of March 30 following clashes between two groups, with a number of police vehicles torched during the incident.”
As per police, the arson continued for about three hours. As many as 15 vehicles were set on fire. Police thereafter resorted to baton charging and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Jalgaon
Elsewhere in Maharashtra, violence was reported from Jalgaon. News reports said a clash ensued between two groups after a religious procession accompanied by loud music was taken out in front of a mosque in Paldhi area of Jalgaon. “The police have registered two FIRs and arrested 45 people so far for the violence that broke out on March 28.”
Mathura
In Mathura, a viral video of men waving saffron flags from roofs near the Jama Masjid during a Ram Navami procession led to communal tension. The procession was stopped for 30 minutes and concluded amidst police presence. Mathura SSP Shailesh Pandey said that police are in the process of verifying details and that the situation is peaceful.
Howrah
Violence was also reported from West Bengal’s Howrah area. As per a report, several vehicles were set on fire after two groups clashed in Howrah amid the celebrations. As per the state chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the Ram Navami procession organisers took a route which was not authorised by the police. Issuing orders to police to take strict action against the perpetrators of the clash, Mamata told media, “Those who have not done any wrong will not be arrested.” Meanwhile, the BJP has accused Banerjee of the violence.
Vadodara
An incident of stone pelting during the Ram Navami celebrations was reported from Gujarat’s Vadodara city too. “While some vehicles got damaged, no one was injured in the incident and the procession passed along its planned route under police protection,” deputy commissioner of police Yashpal Jaganiya said.