– Raheem Khan
Jahazpur: Tensions erupted in Jahazpur town of Bhilwara district, Rajasthan, on Saturday during a religious procession for Jal Jhulni Ekadashi, as stones were hurled at the participants, causing panic and leading to a stampede. The sudden violence forced the closure of the local market, and the procession was halted as a large crowd gathered, demanding immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Local BJP MLA Gopichand Meena arrived at the scene, demanding the procession not resume until the accused were arrested. He, along with his supporters, staged a dharna. The DSP reported that police forces have been deployed in the town, and the situation is now under control. Authorities have launched a search operation to apprehend the stone-pelters.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the violence began when the procession, which had around 800 participants, entered the market area. People at a specific location reportedly shouted to stop the procession, following which the stone-pelting began and continued for about 20-25 minutes, injuring several individuals.
The procession is an annual event taken out on Ekadashi from the fort temple to Shahpura Highway Nagar Palika Kendra. However, this year’s event took a violent turn. Locals claimed that members of the procession, some armed with sticks and weapons, raised provocative slogans outside a mosque, leading to a heated argument and stone-pelting from both sides. As tensions mounted, authorities intervened and ordered closure of the market.
Prior to the event, a peace committee meeting had been held, where it was agreed that no religious slogans would be raised outside the mosque. However, the procession reportedly stopped in front of the mosque, reigniting tensions. When the procession returned from the fort, another clash occurred at the same location.
Following the clashes, MLA Gopichand Meena demanded the demolition of the mosque, alleging it was constructed illegally. The Collector and SP were present at the site, and notices were subsequently pasted outside the Jama Masjid and Takia Masjid, asking for legal documentation within 24 hours. Failure to provide the documents, the notice warned, would result in demolition of the mosques.
There have also been allegations that, during a night-time search operation, the administration used bulldozers to demolish around 30-40 shops belonging to a particular community. Accusations of looting and arson have further exacerbated the situation, with community tensions continuing to simmer.
Local authorities have assured that peace will be restored and that legal action will be taken against those responsible for the violence.
