A disturbing series of communal clashes and violent incidents across various parts of India marred the Durga Puja and Visarjan festivities in 2024. Several regions witnessed attacks, stone-pelting, vandalism, and even fatal shootings as tensions escalated during the immersion processions. The incidents highlighted underlying communal issues and raised concerns over public safety during religious celebrations. Below are 11 instances that occurred during the 2024 Durga Puja season, detailing the extent of the violence and the resulting consequences.
1. Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh (13 October 2024)
During a Durga idol immersion in Maharajganj, located in the Hardi police station area, tensions flared when an Islamist mob expressed anger over DJ music being played. The altercation escalated into stone-pelting and firing. Ram Gopal Mishra (22) was fatally shot, and several others, including 30-year-old Rajan, Sudhakar Tiwari, Akhilesh Bajpai, and a physically disabled Satyawan, sustained serious injuries.
वाह री हिंदूवादी सरकार 😢
अब हिन्दु नहीं स्वयं कॊ ब्राह्मण अथवा सवर्ण बोलना ही उचित होगा ?यह योगी सरकार हे
बहराइच में जिन हिंदुओं के लोग मरे उन की ही पुलिस पिटाई कर रही है।
इन्हें सो कॉल्ड law and order हिंदुओं को पीट कर ही मेंटेन करना है।@Uppolice क्या अब हत्यारों कॊ माफी… pic.twitter.com/CltHxXJLM0— PankajDhavraiyya RspChief (@ChiefRspDhavrai) October 13, 2024
1 हिन्दू युवक की मौत, बहराइच में बवाल के बाद आगजनी, इलाके में भारी तनाव, पुलिस फोर्स तैनात।
घटना के बाद पूरे महराजगंज इलाके को पुलिस छावनी में तब्दील कर दिया गया है। pic.twitter.com/nTKFSRLiIv
— Panchjanya (@epanchjanya) October 13, 2024
2. Howrah, West Bengal (13 October 2024)
Violence broke out in the Shyampur area when an Islamist mob pelted stones at people participating in a Durga idol immersion procession. The situation escalated further as the mob set fire to the idols and vandalized various pandals. The Shyampur Bazar Vyavasayik Samiti puja pandal suffered extensive damage as multiple idols were burned.
Today a group of miscreants while returning from the Shyampur Police Station where they went to submit a deputation, went berserk and started vandalising the Durga Puja Pandals.
They set on fire the idols at the Shyampur Bazar Byabsayi Samiti Puja Pandal and vandalised other… pic.twitter.com/FETp5rsSJd— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) October 13, 2024
3. Garhwa, Jharkhand (13 October 2024)
In two different locations, clashes erupted as the Islamist community members blocked Hindus from proceeding with the idol immersion, citing restricted access to certain areas. This led to stone-pelting and confrontations. The immersion procession was disrupted, and tensions ran high, necessitating intervention to prevent further violence.
4. Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh (12 October 2024)
An incident occurred in the Manjhanpur area when some members of the Islamist community took offense at the application of gulal (colored powder) on the Imambara platform, leading to stone-pelting and violence.
The idol was damaged during the chaos, and there were also reports of an attempted assault on a woman. Thirteen individuals, including Ghulam Waris and Saeed Ahmed, were named in the police complaint.
5. Gonda, Uttar Pradesh (12 October 2024)
As the Durga Visarjan procession made its way towards Khaira Mandir Talab, it encountered resistance in an Islamist-majority locality. The procession participants were attacked with stones. The police had to escort the procession to ensure safety and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
6. Kolkata, West Bengal (11 October 2024)
A group of 50-60 individuals entered a puja pandal organized by the New Bengal Sporting Club in Garden Reach, threatening to damage the idol if the celebrations continued. The pandal was vandalized, and the celebrations were momentarily halted due to the violent disruption.
What is this Mr. @CPKolkata; Shri Manoj Kumar Verma (IPS)?
How did the goons garner the ability to storm into a Durga Puja Pandal under the Jurisdiction of the @KolkataPolice and threaten to vandalise the idol of Maa Durga if the rituals aren't stopped?
The incident happened at… pic.twitter.com/QQmcSf10Jo— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) October 11, 2024
7. Karimganj, Assam (9 October 2024)
In Mansangan village, trouble ensued when Abdul Ahad, Sahabul Ahmed, and another individual attacked a Durga idol procession by throwing leftover cooked rice at the participants. The idol was damaged, and law enforcement quickly apprehended the perpetrators.
8. Gonda, Uttar Pradesh (9 October 2024)
Violence erupted when an Islamist mob, including individuals named Aslam, Sultan, and Munna, attacked a Puja pandal and hurled stones at the devotees. A case was registered against 12 suspects as the authorities sought to control the escalating situation.
9. Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (6 October 2024)
In Karamhana Bujurg village, violence broke out after some youths objected to the DJ music being played during the Durga procession. The attackers disconnected the sound system wires before fleeing the scene.
The immersion procession was briefly disrupted as devotees tried to restore order.
10. Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh (6 October 2024)
As devotees carried the Durga idol, a mob pelted stones at them, resulting in injuries and damage to the idol. The police detained 10 individuals suspected of involvement in the violence.
11. North Tripura, Tripura (6 October 2024)
Clashes arose in the Kadamtala block area when a local Durga Puja club requested a donation of ₹5000 from an Islamist driver named Jahar Miya, leading to a confrontation with an Islamist mob. Hindu houses and club members faced attacks, and law enforcement had to intervene to restore peace.
From Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal and Tripura, the pattern of hostility and unrest during these events reflects the deep-seated hate that the Islamists have for the Hindu community.
This is not the first time that attacks on visarjan procession or puja pandals have happened in India. Here are 16 instances of attacks on Ganesha processions by Islamists across India during 2024 Vinayakar Chaturthi.
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