Muslim fanatics pelt stones on Ganesh Pandal in Surat, Gujarat; 33 arrested

• Thousands of Hindus stage protests

• Administration runs bulldozer at the site of stone pelting

Surat stone pelting (Credits : The Indian Express)

Surat (Gujarat) – On the night of 8th September, six Muslim youths pelted stones at the Ganesh Pandal in the Sayedpura area. After this incident, thousands of Hindus took to the streets and expressed intense anger. Following the outrage, the Police arrested all six Muslim youths involved in the stone-pelting. Additionally, 27 other individuals who supported the stone-pelting incident were also arrested. On the afternoon of 9th September, the building from where the stone-pelting occurred was demolished by a bulldozer.

Thousands of Hindus staged protest due to the stone-pelting on the Ganesh Pandal in the Muslim-majority area of Sayedpura. During this time, Hindus and Muslims confronted each other, leading to clashes and reports of arson. Late at night, the Police resorted to lathi charge to control the situation and also released tear gas shells.

Surat (Gujarat): Stone-pelting by fanatic Mu$|!m$ on the Ganesh festival pandal; 33 arrested.

Thousands of Hindus protest!

The administration’s bulldozer at the site of the stone-pelting!

Now, merely operating a bulldozer will not be enough. The government must ensure that no… pic.twitter.com/lVi2ipr2XG

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) September 9, 2024

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi keeps promise; all 33 Muslims arrested before sunrise

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi

Given the tense situation, Gujarat’s Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and local BJP MLA Kanti Balar visited the scene around 2:30 am. They spoke with local residents to ease the tension in the area. ‘Action will be taken against those who disrupt peace. Police deployment has been increased in Surat, and efforts are ongoing to bring the situation under control’, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said.

Later, at 6:30 a.m., he posted on X, stating, ‘As I promised, we have caught the stone-pelters before sunrise! (sic)’.

Drum holding the Idol was also vandalised : Manishaben, Organiser

‘The Ganesh Idol was placed on a drum. Due to the stone-pelting, the drum was broken, but fortunately, the Idol was unharmed. We live in this area very peacefully and maintain brotherhood. Muslim processions pass through our area without any untoward incidents. Even last year, there was stone-pelting at a nearby Ganesh Pandal’, Manishaben, the organiser of the Ganesh festival, said.

One thousand Police personnel deployed

Speaking about the incident, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Gehlot said, ‘Some youths pelted stones at the Ganesh Pandal, which led to clashes. The Police immediately took those youths away from the scene. Police personnel were deployed promptly, and where necessary, lathi charge and tear gas were used. All the accused involved in disrupting the peace have been arrested. Nearly one thousand Police personnel have been deployed, and security across the city has been tightened’.

Editorial Perspectives

• Whether Hindus are a minority or a majority, do they only deserve to get attacked ? They are being attacked in Bangladesh and continually assaulted in India. This situation is shameful for Hindus !

• Just running bulldozers is not enough. The Government must now take steps to ensure that no one dares to target Hindus’ festivals !

• Whether in Islamic Bangladesh or secular India, Hindus’ festivals are being targeted by jihadis. The only solution to this is declaring India a Hindu Rashtra !