The processions of a religious nature that took out in many places, pertaining to the consecration of the Ram Temple, turned violent. Reports suggested that the Muslim community was targeted with provocation, and the police were reported to have sided with the right-wing groups, where their unilateral punitive actions towards Muslims were widely criticized.
In one such incident, in the rather peaceful Belim Vas in Kheralu, north Gujarat, 15 Muslims, including two minors, have been arrested in connection with a brawl that occurred when a ‘shoba yatra’ reached a mosque. People used loudspeakers and firecrackers, drawing objections from the Muslims in the area, which then turned violent, with people from the procession seen brandishing swords and sticks in a video, according to a report published in The Wire.
According to eyewitnesses and local accounts, the 'shobha yatra' organized by Hindu residents on January 21 deviated from its planned route, culminating at a mosque in the area. Despite pleas from Muslim locals to refrain from loud music and firecrackers near the mosque, tensions escalated into a verbal altercation, quickly turning physical.
Reports indicate that the rally participants, armed with swords, sticks, and stones, clashed with Muslim residents, resulting in injuries and property damage. Videos of the incident obtained by The Wire corroborate these accounts, showing scenes of violence and chaos.
Amid the escalating confrontation, Mehsana Police intervened, dispersing crowds with tear gas. However, locals allege mistreatment and excessive force by the police, with claims of arbitrary arrests and harassment of Muslim residents.
Thirteen men and two minors from Belim Vas, all Muslims, have been detained in connection with the violence. Family members of the detainees have raised concerns about their well-being, citing instances of alleged police brutality during arrests.
Rubina, whose husband Mohammed Hussain is among those arrested, described a harrowing ordeal where police forcibly entered their home, subjected Hussain to physical assault and vandalized their property. With Hussain suffering from depression and in need of medication, his incarceration presents additional challenges for his family.
Similar accounts of arbitrary arrests and police harassment resonate across Belim Vas. Mohammed Siddiq's 16-year-old son, Rehmatullah, was apprehended by Mehsana Police without any prior notification to the family, leaving them in distress.
Zubair Belim, a former corporator of the area, expressed shock at the targeted violence witnessed in what was once a peaceful neighbourhood. He attributed the escalation to a shift in the dynamics of Hindu processions over the past decade, noting an increase in aggression and provocative behaviour.
Locals also voiced concerns about the involvement of local Hindutva groups in orchestrating the rally, alleging a deliberate attempt to intimidate and provoke the Muslim community. While the rally ostensibly celebrated the Ram temple, its participants wielded weapons and incited fear among residents.
In response to the escalating tensions, authorities have initiated investigations into the incident. Rushikesh B. Upadhyay, Commandant of the State Reserve Police Force in Mehsana, confirmed the arrests and assured the public of ongoing efforts to restore peace.
Social activists like Hozefa Ujjaini have condemned the trend of purposeful instigation by right-wing groups, citing it as a means to assert dominance and control over public spaces. Similar incidents of violence during Ram temple rallies have been reported in other parts of the state, underscoring broader concerns about communal tensions.