– Raheem Khan
Communal harmony was disturbed in Mandal Town, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the detention of a minor. The incident occurred on April 10, when members of a specific community attempted to disrupt social cohesion by burning a banner belonging to another community using firecrackers at Lakhiara Chowk.
Following this disturbance, a complaint was filed by members of the affected community, prompting the police to take action. Station Officer Sanjay Kumar Gurjar stated that the accused were identified and apprehended based on CCTV footage. The police have taken into custody two young individuals for setting fire to banners and flags using firecrackers in Mandal town the day before Eid. The station in-charge said that the arrested individuals, Samir Hussain and Habib Mohammed, have been accused of attempting to disrupt communal harmony. A minor was also detained in connection with the incident.
On the night of April 10, after youths from a specific community burst firecrackers in Lakhiara Chowk following the sighting of the Eid moon, Hindu New Year banners and flags were inadvertently burnt. Hindu organizations protested against this act, considering it an attempt to disrupt communal harmony.
The Eid al-Fitr procession scheduled to take place after Eid prayers at Jama Masjid in Mandal town did not occur this year. The police deployed additional forces to maintain law and order.
Communal tension escalated in Mandal town, resulting in Hindu community members closing markets, and the Muslim community refraining from holding the Eid procession. This tension emerged after certain youths ignited firecrackers near a New Year’s banner, leading to demands for action from one community. Although police intervention calmed the situation initially, tensions persisted the following day, leading to market closures by the Hindu community and the Muslim community’s decision to forego their procession.
Expressing displeasure over the cancellation of the Eid procession, the Anjuman Welfare Society submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police (SP). The memorandum demanded suspension of negligent police officers, citing failure to remove banners and flags despite prior agreements between the communities. And, members of the Muslim community staged a protest outside the District Collector’s office.
