Photo: Siasat Daily
Mumbai: Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal clashed with members of the Muslim community late on Monday, May 25, after a shed set up for Bakrid animal sacrifice was demolished in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The incident took place outside the Poonam Cluster Society under the jurisdiction of the Kashimira Police Station. According to reports, the Muslim community had constructed a shed to house goats ahead of Eid al-Adha, while Hindutva groups alleged that the animals were being kept there illegally, Siasat Daily reported.
Following complaints, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation demolished the structure, stopping its operations. Reports said members of the Muslim community later attempted to rebuild the shed during the night.
After receiving information about the development, members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal reportedly gathered at the site, leading to tensions and physical altercations between the two groups. Videos circulating online showed at least one injured individual with blood on his face.
Some members of the right-wing groups alleged that one of their supporters had been attacked with a blade during the clash. Protesters were also heard raising religious slogans, including “Jai Shri Ram,” while police personnel attempted to disperse the crowd.
Eyewitnesses said the confrontation continued for some time before police intervened and brought the situation under control. Officials from the Kashimira Police reportedly declined to share details about the incident.
The following morning, on Tuesday, May 26, right-wing groups staged protests outside the residential complex, demanding that the goats allegedly still inside the society premises be removed.
One protester claimed that the government had already allocated a designated place for qurbani and questioned why the animals were being kept inside the housing society, adding that the protest would continue until the goats were taken out.
Police teams remain deployed outside the premises to maintain law and order.