Violence Due to Negligence of Administration and Police
Is BJP Involved in the Violence?
– Akhilesh Tripathi, Lucknow
Lucknow: During the Durga idol immersion in Maharajganj town, which falls under the Mahsi tehsil in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, violence erupted, leading to the death of one person and subsequent rioting. This incident has exposed the negligence of the Bahraich district administration and police. Also, the role of the BJP in the violence and riots is under suspicion, with reports suggesting BJP’s involvement in the unrest.
In the Maharajganj town, violence erupted on October 13 during the Durga idol immersion procession, leading to the death of a man named Ram Gopal Mishra. Following his death, the violence intensified, spiralling out of control. The incident revealed the negligence of the Bahraich district administration and the police. Had the authorities acted responsibly, the violence, unrest, and subsequent riot could have been prevented, but they failed in their duties.
According to reports, on October 13, as is customary every year, idols were being carried for immersion in Maharajganj. The route for the immersion is pre-determined, and people follow this path. A large number of police officers usually accompany the procession to ensure security. This year, the procession also proceeded as usual, with people carrying the idols. Alongside the procession, a DJ played devotional songs, as well as songs in support of the BJP, and leaders like Modi and Yogi. The police were present alongside the procession.
During the procession, Ram Gopal Mishra suddenly climbed onto a nearby house and began pulling down a green flag that was already hoisted there. In doing so, he caused damage to the house’s fragile railing, which collapsed. After tearing down the green flag, he waved a saffron flag and began chanting slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Jai Shri Ram.” He then attempted to flee, and upon seeing a bamboo ladder nearby, tried to use it to escape. However, the ladder collapsed, and during this commotion, gunfire broke out, hitting Mishra. The house he had climbed and where he tore the flag belonged to Abdul Hamid. Mishra was struck by bullets and died from his injuries.
After Mishra’s death, violence ensued. There are reports that Abdul Hamid fired the shots, though it is also said that Mishra was beaten first, sustaining severe injuries. His brother and companions attempted to help him flee, but Mishra had already succumbed to his injuries. This incident triggered chaos, which quickly escalated into full-blown violence.
Now, the biggest question is: Why did Ram Gopal Mishra, who was part of the procession for the idol immersion, climb onto Abdul Hamid’s house? Why did he tear down the flag that was hoisted on the house? What prompted him to do so? Why didn’t the police accompanying the procession stop him? Why didn’t the officials in the procession intervene and stop Ram Gopal Mishra? When gunfire erupted, what actions did the police take? When the crowd accompanying the procession turned violent, what action did the police take?
These are the questions that expose the failures of the Bahraich administration and police. Even the intelligence network in this area failed. Every year, there is an idol immersion, with a pre-determined route and security arrangements. So, why weren’t proper security measures in place this time? Why weren’t the people in the procession stopped from creating chaos? Weren’t there enough security personnel available? These questions put the administration and police in the spotlight.
Had the administration and police been vigilant, those in the procession wouldn’t have climbed onto others’ houses or caused disorder, preventing this tragic incident from occurring. But due to the failure of the administration and police, this event unfolded, leading to the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra. Abdul Hamid, his son Sarfaraz alias Rinku, Faheem, along with Raja alias Sahir, Nankau, Maroof, and four others, have been named as the accused in Ram Gopal Mishra’s murder. A case has been filed against them. All of them have fled with their families, and the police are searching for them.
After the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra, widespread violence and vandalism erupted in Maharajganj town, followed by rioting and incidents of arson. A hospital and a motorcycle showroom were set on fire. During the post-mortem of Ram Gopal Mishra’s body, there was significant unrest and violence in Bahraich as well. However, the district administration and police failed to control the violence. Subsequently, Sanjeev Gupta, Home Secretary, and Amitabh Yash, the head of STF, arrived in Bahraich from Lucknow to take charge of the situation. A large number of security forces were deployed, and only then was the situation brought under control.
In handling the violence and riots, the district administration and police acted in a one-sided manner. The police accused and arrested people from the Muslim community in connection with the case, sending them to jail. Five individuals were named as the main accused for the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra and for inciting violence.
The SOG (Special Operations Group) and police apprehended them near the Nepal border. Among those arrested were Sarfaraz alias Rinku and Taleem alias Shabbu. According to the police, they went to recover weapons based on the information provided by the accused. At a location called Honda Basehari, in an attempt to escape, the accused fired at the police with a loaded gun. The police retaliated, and the accused were shot in the legs and injured. They were given medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the police also arrested three other main accused – Abdul Hamid, Faheem, and Mohammad Afzal. After their medical examination, they were presented before CJM Pratibha Chaudhary, who sent them to judicial custody for 14 days. According to Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla, a total of 88 people involved in inciting communal violence have been sent to jail so far.
In the aftermath of the violence in Bahraich, Hardi police station in-charge Suresh Kumar Verma, Mahsi outpost in-charge Shiv Kumar, and Deputy SP Rupesh Gaur have been suspended. And, ASP (Rural) Pavitra Mohan Tripathi has been transferred.
In connection with the violence and riots in Bahraich, Mahsi’s BJP MLA, Sureshwar Singh, took the family of the deceased, Ram Gopal Mishra, to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow. This meeting led to Ram Gopal Mishra being portrayed as a victim while his actions were concealed. The key fact remains that had Mishra not climbed onto Abdul Hamid’s roof and torn down the flag that was already hoisted, the violence and riots in Bahraich would not have occurred. However, this fact is being covered up. So far, the police have registered 11 FIRs in the case.
There had been speculation that the BJP was involved in the violence and riots in Bahraich. This speculation was confirmed by Mahsi’s BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh, who lodged an FIR against BJP workers in Bahraich’s Kotwali police station. On October 21, Singh submitted a written complaint, naming Arpit Srivastava, president of the BJP Yuva Morcha’s city unit, BJP workers Anuj Singh Raikwar, Shubham Mishra, Kushmendra Chaudhary, Manish Chandra Shukla, Pundrik Pandey, and sector coordinator Sudhanshu Singh Rana, along with unidentified individuals.
In the FIR, he stated, “When I went to meet District Magistrate Mrs. Monika Rani, these miscreants threw stones, bricks, and even fired at me with the intent to kill, shattering the window of my car and narrowly missing my son.”
The police registered a case against these individuals under charges of rioting, attacking with dangerous weapons, attempted murder, endangering personal safety, assault, and other offences. Following the FIR, the police began their investigation.
After the FIR was filed, chaos erupted within the BJP, from Bahraich to Lucknow and Delhi. People, including the Opposition, began openly accusing the BJP of orchestrating the violence and riots in Bahraich. The BJP has reprimanded MLA Sureshwar Singh for implicating party members. Singh, now on the defensive, claimed that he did not know these individuals were BJP members, causing further embarrassment for the party.
Meanwhile, acting on the BJP government’s instructions, the district administration had posted notices on the homes of 23 Muslim accused, stating that their homes would be demolished for encroaching on roads. These notices were issued by the Public Works Department, and it was stated that bulldozers would be used to demolish the encroaching structures. In response, the accused approached the Allahabad High Court, seeking justice. The Lucknow bench of the High Court heard the case and asked both the petitioners and the government to file their responses. During the next hearing on October 23, while the petitioners submitted their response, the state government failed to do so. The court expressed its displeasure and scheduled the next hearing for November 4.
The Yogi Adityanath government faced significant criticism for its handling of the situation. In response, the government transferred Malikhan, the Superintendent Engineer of the Public Works Department, from Bahraich to Etawah, adding to the government’s embarrassment.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has expressed concern over the violence in Bahraich. He remarked, “The coincidence of elections approaching and the communal atmosphere deteriorating is not accidental. The public understands everything. Everyone knows whose old strategy it is to resort to violence out of fear of losing. This is the sign of the upcoming by-elections.”
CPI National Secretary Dr. Girish commented on the Bahraich violence, stating, “When the idol immersion procession was passing through a minority-populated area, why didn’t the police administration make the necessary arrangements? How were DJs allowed to play provocative songs during the procession? Due to such negligence by the police, a young man was killed. Governments in BJP-ruled states are failing to govern properly. The people should rid themselves of these governments as soon as possible. A judicial inquiry into the Bahraich incident is necessary.”
The Rihai Manch has condemned the violence in Bahraich. Rihai Manch General Secretary Rajeev Yadav held UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responsible for the violence and communal tension in Bahraich. He said, “Yogi Adityanath is unable to manage the law and order situation in the state. Communalism is being stirred up to distract people from fundamental issues like inflation and unemployment.”
Rihai Manch President Mohammad Shoaib also criticised the situation, saying, “The BJP is inciting communalism for polarisation ahead of elections. Communal elements are igniting riots and committing arson in the presence of the police, while the police stand by and watch. This silence has deep significance.”
The chaos that erupted during the Durga idol immersion in Bahraich, followed by violence and rioting, could have been prevented. However, due to the alleged negligence of Bahraich DM Monika Rani and SP Vrinda Shukla, the violence and riots occurred. The miscreants continued their acts of violence and rioting, but the DM and SP were unable to control them. They did not take any strict measures to stop the violence and riots, instead waiting for instructions from the state government. When the situation spiralled out of control, the state government sent Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta and STF Chief Amitabh Yash to Bahraich, after which the situation was brought under control.
