2025’s Ganesh Chaturthi visarjan processions and other celebrations saw quite a number of attacks across the country and in neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh. This is not a new occurrence.
In this report, we have documented 43 separate incidents between 2017 and 2025 where Ganesh Chaturthi processions and celebrations were targeted by violent attacks, vandalism, and organized disruptions across India. These events, occurring in states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, reveal a persistent pattern of violence during one of the nation’s most beloved Hindu festivals.
The incidents range from stone-pelting and physical assaults on devotees to the desecration of idols, arson, and inflammatory sloganeering, often leading to injuries, communal tension, and police intervention.
#1 Idol Immersion Attack – Bhopal, MP (2025)
On 8 September 2025, in the Gautam Nagar area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a Ganesh idol immersion procession was violently attacked. As the procession passed a mosque in the Arif Nagar area, it was pelted with stones, causing damage to the idol. Devotees from the Gautam Nagar area retaliated, leading to a clash. The police intervened to control the situation, which had escalated from a religious ceremony into a serious public order incident.
#2 Stone-Pelting on Procession – Maddur, KA (2025)
On 7 September 2025, in Maddur, Karnataka, a Ganesh Chaturthi procession faced a brutal attack. Miscreants pelted stones at the procession, resulting in injuries to eight Hindu devotees. The attack appeared to be a coordinated effort to disrupt the peaceful religious observance. Police registered a case against several unidentified accused persons and launched an investigation into the incident to apprehend those responsible.
#3 Procession Disrupted – Janakpurdham, Nepal (2025)
On 30 August 2025, in Janakpur, Nepal, a Ganesh immersion procession was attacked. The incident occurred near Jhayadi Chowk on the banks of the Dhanush Sagar pond. Two devotees were injured in the stone-pelting. Madhesh Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control, detaining several individuals for questioning regarding the violent disruption.
#4 Planned Disruption Attempt – Vadodara, GJ (2025)
On 26 August 2025, in Vadodara, Gujarat, a planned attempt to disrupt Ganesh Chaturthi was foiled. As preparations for idol immersion were underway, miscreants including Salim Mansuri and Mohammad Irshad Qureshi planned to attack the procession by throwing eggs. Vadodara Police acted on intelligence and detained three individuals from these organizations, preventing a potential major incident.
#5 Clash During Procession – Davangere, KA (2024)
On 19 September 2024, in Davangere, Karnataka, a Ganesh immersion procession was violently attacked. As the procession from Venka Bhovi Colony reached Chamrajpete Circle, a Muslim mob, allegedly angered by the chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, began pelting stones and shouting Islamic slogans. The assault resulted in serious injuries to four policemen and several Hindu devotees.
#6 Temple Vandalism and Threats – Chhindwara, MP (2024)
On 3 November 2024, in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, Mohammad Taufiq broke into a Lord Ganesha temple in Junnardev ward. He vandalised the idols and threatened to kill an elderly woman who tried to stop him. Alerted by her alarms, local residents apprehended Taufiq and handed him over to the police.
#7 Procession Attacked in Muslim-Majority Village – Siddharthnagar, UP (2024)
On 4 November 2024, in the Dumariyaganj area of Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, a Ganesh and Lakshmi immersion procession was attacked by Muslim rioters in the village of Mali Mainha. Two female devotees were injured in the assault. Police have registered a case against several unknown accused.
#8 Stone-Pelting on Religious Procession – Akola, MH (2024)
On 18 September 2024, in the Nandipeth area of Akola, Maharashtra, Muslim rioters pelted stones at a Ganesh idol procession. The attack left several devotees and policemen injured. In response, police detained 68 individuals suspected of involvement in the stone-pelting.
#9 Idol Shattered, Protestors Lathi-Charged – Bhiwandi, MH (2024)
On 17 September 2024, in Bhiwandi, Thane, Muslim miscreants near the Hindustani Mosque pelted stones at a Ganesh idol during visarjan, shattering it. When the devotees protested the attack, police intervened with a lathi-charge, resulting in serious injuries to multiple people.
#10 Stone-Pelting at Immersion Procession – Siddharthnagar, UP (2024)
On 17 September 2024, in the Shohratgarh area of Siddharthnagar, Muslim rioters pelted stones at a Ganesh immersion procession at Marwari Square. In response, devotees participating in the procession staged protests, demanding action against the miscreants.
#11 Devotees Attacked with Weapons – Kheda, GJ (2024)
On 17 September 2024, in the Gaon area of Kheda, a Muslim mob of 150-200 people attacked a Ganesh Visarjan procession with sticks and pipes as it approached a mosque. The mob was reportedly angered by the music from a DJ. Police detained more than 10 armed individuals on charges of violence.
#12 Procession Halted After Dispute – Shegaon, MH (2024)
On 17 September 2024, in Shegaon town, Buldhana, a Muslim mob pelted stones at a Ganesh immersion procession following a dispute between two individuals. The procession was forced to halt for two hours as devotees demanded the arrest of the culprits.
#13 Ambush Attack in Darkness – Jalgaon Jamod, MH (2024)
On 17 September 2024, in Jalgaon Jamod town, Buldhana, Muslim miscreants switched off streetlights and ambushed a Ganesh Visarjan procession by pelting stones from the roofs of houses. The attack resulted in serious injuries to many Ganesh devotees and three policemen.
#14 Stone-Pelting During Immersion – Aara, CG (2024)
On 17 September 2024, in Aara village, Balrampur, Muslim rioters violently pelted stones during a Ganesh idol immersion. Many people, including Sheela Yadav, suffered serious head injuries. Balrampur Police detained Hashib, Imam, Ittakhab, and Islam on charges of violence.
#15 Group of Women Attacked During Immersion – Yavatmal, MH (2024)
On 17 September 2024, at around 10:30 PM in Dhanki village, Umarkhed, a group of women from the Shiv Chhatrapati Ganesh Mandal were attacked by Muslim rioters while going for Ganesh immersion. Ganesha idols were damaged in the attack. Police filed a report against 74 Muslim miscreants.
#16 Women Harassed and Devotees Attacked – Trilokpuri, Delhi (2024)
On 16 September 2024, in Trilokpuri, an armed Muslim mob attacked a crowd returning after Ganesh Visarjan. Two devotees were seriously injured. Eyewitnesses reported that the miscreants also pulled the dupattas of women.
#17 Seditious Slogans During Attack – Farrukhabad, UP (2024)
On 16 August 2024, under the Shamshabad police station area in Farrukhabad, a Muslim mob attacked people returning after Ganesh Visarjan with sticks and bricks. The rioters also raised slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.
#18 Provocative Slogans and Threats – Balrampur, UP (2024)
On 16 September 2024, in Balrampur, a Muslim mob participating in a Barawafaat procession waved green flags in front of a Ganesh pandal and shouted, ‘If you want to live in India, you have to say Khwaja-Khwaja.’ The Siddhi Vinayak Seva Samiti complained that the miscreants were shouting indecent slogans, including ‘Palestine Zindabad,’ and issuing threats.
#19 Stone-Pelting Damages Idol – Jalgaon, MH (2024)
On 15 September 2024, in the Gandhilpura area of Amalner, Jalgaon, local Muslim fundamentalists pelted stones at a procession by the ‘Dosti Group Ganeshotsav Mandal’ on the pretext of throwing gulal. The stone-pelting damaged the right side of the Ganesh idol.
#20 Planned Attack on Returning Devotees – Jhansi, UP (2024)
On 15 September 2024, in the Madarganj locality of Jhansi, Muslim rioters first abused Hindus during Ganesh immersion for throwing gulal and shouting slogans. Later, while the devotees were returning, the rioters attacked them in a planned manner. Jhansi police took Shahid and two others into custody.
#21 Arrests for Stone-Pelting on Pandal – Bhilwara, RJ (2024)
On 14 September 2024, in Sanganer, Bhilwara, Muslim rioters pelted stones at a ‘Shri Ganesh Mahotsav Event’. Bhilwara police arrested three youths, Firoz Ali, Sapan, and Mohammad Bilal, all residents of Momin Mohalla, in connection with the case.
#22 Organizer Attacked and Threatened – Daund, MH (2024)
On 14 September 2024, in the Daund area of Pune, Yasin Ismail Sayyed attacked and threatened to kill Sitara Torve over a Ganesh Mahotsav event she had organized. A case was registered against Sayyed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
#23 Violence Erupts Over Firecracker – Mahoba, UP (2024)
On 14 September 2024, tension flared in the Kasautori area of Mahoba when miscreants in a Muslim-dominated area, angered by a child bursting a firecracker during a Ganesh Visarjan procession, resorted to violent stone-pelting and threw water on participants.
#24 Women Injured in Procession Attack – Raigad, MH (2024)
On 12 September 2024, in Murud city, Raigad, two minor Muslim youths pelted stones at a Gauri Ganpati immersion procession passing through the Bhogeswar Pakhadi area. Six women were injured in the attack.
#25 PFI Members Arrested for Procession Attack – Mandya, KA (2024)
On the night of 11 September 2024, in Badrikoppalu village near Nagamangala, Mandya, Muslim rioters pelted stones at a Ganpati immersion procession near a mosque. Armed rioters also set fire to 4-5 parked bikes. Police arrested Yusuf and Nasir of the Popular Front of India (PFI).
#26 Children Incited to Break Idols – Surat, GJ (2024)
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