Muslims attack Shri Durgadevi Idol immersion procession in Bahraich (UP)

• Brutal Murder of a Hindu

• Angry Hindus set fire to Muslims’ homes and shops

Bahraich (UP) – While passing through Maharajganj market area in Rehuwa Mansoor, a Muslim-majority village, a procession for the immersion of Shri Durgadevi’s Idol was violently attacked following a dispute over the use of DJ. The religious fanatic Muslims pelted stones at the procession, leading to retaliation from the Hindus. During the violence, 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra was brutally murdered, shot, and stabbed with sharp weapons. In retaliation, enraged Hindus set fire to several homes and shops in the area. The Police arrested 25 individuals, including Mohammad Faheem, Mohammad Nanaku, Mohammad Sarfaraz, Mohammad Sahir Khan, Mohammad Maroof Ali, and Mohammad Abdul Hamid. The area is now under an unofficial curfew, with internet services suspended.

What exactly happened ?

As the procession passed through the Muslim-majority area, a dispute erupted over playing the DJ. Abdul Hamid, along with his sons Sablu, Sarfaraz, and Faheem, arrived at the scene and began hurling abuses. Shortly after, other Muslims began throwing stones from their rooftops, breaking the arm of the Durgadevi idol. In protest, the immersion procession was halted, and Hindus retaliated by throwing stones. Ram Gopal Mishra climbed onto Abdul Hamid’s rooftop, removed a green flag, and hoisted a saffron flag instead. Enraged by this, the religious fanatic Muslims dragged him inside the house, ripped out his nails, shot him in the head, and stabbed him, leading to his immediate death. Rajan, a young man who attempted to save Ram Gopal, was also seriously injured, and is now hospitalised. A total of 12 people were injured in the violence. Ram Gopal Mishra had only been married for three months.

Following the incident, an angry mob set fire to Muslim homes and shops. A large two-wheeler showroom and even a hospital were set ablaze. Reports also suggest that some Police vehicles were also torched.

Will not perform last rites until action is taken against the accused ! : Hindus warn

Hindus gathered around the dead body of Ram Gopal Mishra

Hindus have announced that they will not cremate Ram Gopal Mishra’s body until action is taken against his killers. A protest is ongoing outside the District hospital. Ram Gopal’s mother stated, “The murder must be avenged with murder,” while his sister said they would not perform the last rites until the culprits were hanged and buried.

An autopsy confirmed that Ram Gopal had been shot and stabbed. On the morning of 14th October, when his body was brought home, a crowd of 5 to 6 thousand Hindus gathered. A funeral procession covering about 5 km was held, during which several places were set on fire by enraged Hindus. Many homes in various locations were torched, and the main market of Mahsi Tehsil was also set ablaze. The Police appeared helpless in controlling the situation.

Action must be taken against the Police who remained silent ! : Demand from Vaibhav, Brother of the deceased, Ram Gopal Mishra

Vaibhav Mishra, Ram Gopal’s brother, demanded action against the Police, stating, “We were carrying the idol when suddenly stones started being thrown from Abdul Hamid’s house. The Police were present but took no action. My elder brother tried to stop those throwing stones, but instead of stopping them, the Police pushed the Hindus back and even lathi-charged us. We demand action against the Police.”

राजा सुहेलदेव ने बहराइच में सालार मसूद का सर धड़ से अलग किया था, आज तक उसकी दरगाह पर सुहेलदेव के आ जाने के डर से ताले लगाए जाते हैं!

याद रहे, हमारी रगों में आज भी वही लहू दौड़ रहा है #गोपाल_मिश्रा , #कमलेश_तिवारी #कन्हैया_लाल #देवराज_मोची , ऐसी सभी हत्याओं का हिसाब चुकता होगा! https://t.co/wIpjVmN1FN pic.twitter.com/7MUhOYHqut

— Meenakshi Sharan (@meenakshisharan) October 14, 2024

बहराइच में राम गोपाल मिश्रा की हत्या
दुःखद है , अक्षम्य है , भुलाई नहीं जाएगी

हिंसा करने वाले याद रखें कि हर पत्थर और हर गोली का हिसाब किया जाएगा

हिन्दू त्यौहारों पर पत्थर गोली चलाना बंद करना ही होगा

शुरुआत मत करो वरना अंत करना हमें आता है

— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) October 14, 2024

The crowd became furious after the Police lathi-charged : claims SP

Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla stated that when the Puja committee members protested against the stone pelting, the Police resorted to a lathi charge. (Instead of lathi-charging the stone-pelters, the Police lathi-charged the Hindus, which must be investigated – Editor). This led to a stampede, further escalating the tension. Both sides had 25 people detained for questioning. After the situation was brought under control, officials resumed the idol immersion process. Due to the violence, the immersion of about 1,100 idols in the area had been halted. However, after the arrests, the immersion process resumed.

Will not spare those responsible for violence ! : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken serious note of the incident and warned that the perpetrators of violence will not be spared. He also assured that strict action will be taken against the Police and administrative officers found guilty of negligence in this case.

जनपद बहराइच के महसी में माहौल बिगाड़ने वालों को बख्शा नहीं जाएगा।

सभी को सुरक्षा की गारंटी, लेकिन उपद्रवियों और जिनकी लापरवाही से घटना घटी है, ऐसे लोगों को चिह्नित कर कठोरतम कार्रवाई के निर्देश दिए हैं।

प्रतिमा विसर्जन जारी रहेगा। प्रशासन और पुलिस के अधिकारियों को मौके पर…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 13, 2024

Two Police officers suspended

Two police officers have been suspended for negligence in handling the situation.

Editorial Perspectives

• Despite the BJP’s Hindutva-focused Government in Uttar Pradesh, such a situation for Hindus raises the question : “Who will protect Hindus ?”

• Even though Yogi Adityanath’s Government takes strict action against religious fanatics, it is evident that fanatics’ mentality does not change. Hindus must realise the gravity of the situation and unite.