Kolkata: Tension gripped parts of Murshidabad district in poll-bound West Bengal on Friday, March 27, as communal clashes erupted during Ram Navami processions, with incidents of stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson reported across multiple locations.
According to local sources, the trouble began when a large number of Hindu devotees entered the Raghunathganj area with loud DJ music. The procession passed near a mosque located about 200 meters from Phultala crossing in Jangipur, where Friday prayers were underway. Phultala crossing is predominantly inhabited by Muslims.
Worshippers objected to the loud music near the mosque, triggering a tense communal standoff. Eyewitnesses reported that some Hindu devotees climbed on Muslim homes and hoisted saffron flags. A video circulating on social media shows an individual attempting to forcibly remove an Islamic flag and replace it with a saffron one. Within minutes, stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson broke out, with several Muslim-owned shops set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said the violence continued despite the presence of police and central forces deployed to maintain law and order. The police reportedly resorted to a lathi charge only after local residents appealed for intervention, citing that the situation was spiraling out of control.
Following the incident, Section 144, prohibiting assembly, has been imposed in the affected areas, and security has been tightened in Jangipur and Raghunathganj. So far, 30 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes, although the identities of those detained were not disclosed.
Several shops remained closed, except those providing essential services, while vehicular movement continued normally. A senior officer said, “The situation is now under control. Adequate forces have been deployed, and patrolling is ongoing to ensure peace and normalcy.”
Political reactions poured in following the clashes. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dhananjay Ghosh alleged that the violence was “pre-planned” and demanded strict action. Jangipur Municipality chairman Mofizul Islam called on the administration to hold the perpetrators accountable and maintain peace.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP of instigating the violence, calling it a “party of rioters.” He questioned why such unrest occurred specifically during Ram Navami processions, asking, “Do you hear about any incident of rioting or clash during Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Eid, Chhat Puja, Christmas, or when processions are taken out by the Jain community? Then why is a pious occasion like Ram Navami being used by them to instigate violence and mayhem?”