Man throws inflammable liquid at Shankaracharya Math, Darghas dispute suspected
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On Friday morning, a portion of the Shankaracharya Math, managed by the Dwarka Shardapeeth in Bharuch, Gujarat, fell victim to an attempted arson attack.
According to a report published in The Indian Express, an unidentified individual, clad in a black hoodie jacket and wearing a facemask along with a white cap, made a brazen attempt to set fire to the establishment while rituals were underway.
According to Bharuch Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda, the assailant, captured on CCTV footage, hastily fled the scene after running out of the inflammable liquid he had scattered.
The fire was contained to one area of the Math, minimizing the damage. However, the intent behind the act was unmistakable, plunging the community into a state of shock and disbelief.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, with fingers pointing towards a longstanding dispute between the Math and a neighbouring Dargah over land ownership.
Muktanand Swami, the seer of the Math, revealed that tensions had simmered over the years regarding the dargah's presence on land claimed by the Math. The seer expressed suspicion that the attack was a targeted escalation in the ongoing feud, citing threatening messages left behind by the perpetrator.
The Bharuch district police formed seven specialized teams to pursue leads and apprehend the assailant, however the perpetrator remains at large.
In the wake of the incident, security measures around the Math have been bolstered to prevent any further threats or acts of vandalism. Meanwhile, residents and religious leaders alike are calling for a swift resolution to the underlying land dispute to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
