Ram Navami procession attacked for it’s ‘provocative’ music [Madhya Pradesh, India]

[Reported as seen]

On 10th April 2022, some people had allegedly hurled stones at the procession, objecting to loud and provocative music being played in the Talab Chowk area of the city. Subsequently, clashes broke out in the Gaushala Marg, Tabadi Chowk, Sanjay Nagar and Motipura areas. At least 24 people, including Khargone Superintendent of Police Siddharth Choudhary, were injured in the violence.

Stones were hurled at a Ram Navami procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone city triggering incidents of arson wherein some vehicles were set on fire, prompting authorities to clamp curfew in three areas and section 144 of CrPC in the entire city.

Police fired tear gas shells to control the situation. Khargone superintendent of police Sidharth Choudhary and two police personnel were injured in the stone-pelting along with some people. Khargone District Collector Anugrah P said section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the entire city.

The Madhya Pradesh government on Monday demolished homes and shops belonging to Muslims in Khargone a day after violence broke out in the city during Ram Navami procession.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Khargone Range, Tilak Singh, on Monday claimed that the homes that were demolished belonged to those who had thrown stones during the procession.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the damage caused to public and private properties will be recovered from “rioters”.

He added, “Strict action will be taken against them. There is no place for rioters in Madhya Pradesh.”

State Home Minister Narottam Mishra also vowed to take action against the miscreants. “The house where the stones have come from will be turned into a pile of stones itself,” he added.

The home minister claimed that those who did not like the outcome of the recently-held Assembly elections in five states are instigating violence, according to PTI.

The state government had demolished the houses of the accused, involved in the violence, to recover the damage caused to properties.

On Monday, a heavy police force was deployed in the Chhoti Mohan Talkies area. Governmental officials reached there with bulldozers and demolished the houses of the accused who committed violence. As many as 50 houses of the rioters were demolished.

Commissioner of Indore division, Pawan Sharma said, “84 people have been arrested. The rioters will not be spared. Instructions have been given by the CM and action is being taken accordingly”. He added, “Three employees have been fired, and one has been suspended for giving misleading information on social media. The government has a zero-tolerance policy in this matter. Under this, 84 people have been arrested”.

The other states should take an example from Madhya Pradesh, to keep this breed of rioters in check.