The violence erupted shortly after the Ram Navami procession passed through the area. The footage shows several vehicles on fire and heavy police presence in the area.
Several vehicles were set on fire, stones were pelted and shops were looted following clashes between two communities during Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal’s Howrah today. In the footage, several vehicles were set on fire and heavy police presence in the area, including anti-riot police.
Violence in Gazipara area during Ram Navami procession. Several cars, including some police vehicles, were damaged during the violence and security personnel had to fire tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a two-day hunger strike in Kolkata against central government policies, said “the rioters are the enemies of the country” and that they “will not be spared” behind today’s violence.
“I will not spare the perpetrators of today’s violence. I will not support the rioters, I will not consider them enemies of the country. BJP always targets Howrah. Their other targets are Park Circus and Islamabad. Everyone should be vigilant in their own areas,” she warned.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari denied allegations that the Trinamool government was responsible for the violence.
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The prime minister and the government administration are responsible for the violence, the official said.
The BJP on Monday criticized the Trinamool Congress for calling for protests on March 30, the day of Ram Navami celebrations. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said in the Rajya Sabha that only those who believe in orthodox culture celebrate Ram’s birthday. He alleged that instead of declaring the day as a holiday, the protest was called on fictitious and false allegations.
Earlier, Mamata Banerjee asked the devotees to pass the procession peacefully.
“People going to the Ram Navami procession today, please do it peacefully. Celebrate peacefully, don’t try to create violence. Don’t provoke,” Banerjee said from the stage that day. 2 Dharma is controlled by his party.
Ram Navami procession in Howrah!
Vandalism, vehicles are getting torched… Secularism at it’s peak. Hindus must remember this….
pic.twitter.com/1IoJVK8Jr9— BALA (@erbmjha) March 30, 2023
Dr. P.R. In the Red Road area of the capital of Bengal. The Trinamool leader started protesting in front of the Ambedkar statue yesterday. Protest against central government withholding of funds for MGNREGA and other schemes in housing and highways sectors.
Aside from some reports of violence across the country, it was a peaceful day overall. Some vehicles were vandalized in Fatehpura area of Gujarat’s Vadodara city on Thursday, police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Yashpal Jagania said that no one was injured in the incident and the procession proceeded on the planned route under police protection.
Last night, during a violent clash between two communities in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad, the police attacked the group and set several of their vehicles on fire. The dispute between the two factions culminated in a fierce encounter and the name Chhatrapati Shambhaji Nagar was given. Police Commissioner Nikhil Gupta said that the incident took place in Kratpura, which has a famous Ram temple.
