Men identified as part of Hindutva groups linked to Sangh Parivar organisations allegedly unleashed violence on Friday during a Ram Navami procession in Raghunathganj, located in the Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad district.
During the rally, the saffron-clad crowd reportedly attacked around 40 shops owned by Muslims, looting and setting several of them ablaze on Friday afternoon. The violence has raised fresh concerns about targeted anti-Muslim attacks in the region in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
The violence took place in Fultala, an area near the Jangipur subdivisional hospital, which has a predominantly Muslim population. A majority of the houses, small businesses, fruit stalls, and eateries in the locality belong to members of the Muslim community.
According to The Telegraph, tensions escalated when a Ram Navami procession, accompanied by loud music and dancing, passed in front of a mosque located approximately 200 metres from Fultala crossing while Friday prayers were in progress.
Those attending prayers objected to the procession, which reportedly led to a confrontation. The rally then moved towards the Fultala junction, where the situation worsened. Members of the Hindutva mob allegedly climbed onto the rooftops of Muslim homes, hoisted saffron flags, vandalised properties, set shops on fire, and assaulted residents.
Residents of the area alleged that the violence continued for a prolonged period despite the presence of state police and central forces, who they claimed did little to intervene. The incident occurred just 500 metres from the Raghunathganj police station. Police reportedly resorted to a lathicharge only after repeated appeals from locals, by which time the situation had escalated significantly.
One of the injured, Abul Sheikh, a 30-year-old employee of the Jangipur municipality, sustained serious head injuries after being attacked with iron rods.
Recounting the incident, Sheikh said to The Telegraph: “I was simply returning home on a motorbike and happened to cross the Ram Navami procession. They caught me, beat me up severely, broke my motorbike and set it on fire. I am now undergoing treatment at Jangipur hospital.”
Jangipur MLA and Trinamool Congress candidate Zakir Hossain alleged that the violence was orchestrated with intent ahead of the elections.
He said: “The BJP has deliberately caused this incident before the elections. The party is facing internal factionalism in Jangipur and is trying to consolidate Hindu votes by creating communal unrest. Without understanding the consequences, they have triggered violence. I demand that the accused be arrested immediately,” The Telegraph reported.
