Fanatic Muslims pelt stones at Hindus for a trivial reason

• Hindus retaliate

• Pelting of stones leaves 14 persons injured and 8 vehicles vandalised

Dapoli (Dist Ratnagiri ) – Local Muslims pelted stones at Hindus on the eve of Holi festival at Adkhal Tari Bunder Tal for seating in a jetty and parking of a dumper. Hindus also retaliated by pelting stones in self-defence. The incident has created a lot of tension in the area. Police tried to bring the situation under control. The incident took place around 6.45 p.m. on 12.03.2025. The scuffle ended in 14 persons getting injured and 8 vehicles getting vandalised. The injured are being treated at the sub-district hospital in Dapoli. Complaints have been filed against each other by both the groups. Police were deployed at Paj Pandhari and Adkhal during the night. Investigations are going on in this case.

1. As per the reports, there used to be bickering among both the groups on the issue of seating space on jetty at Adkhal Tari Bandar.

2. Hindu fishermen had parked their boats in the creek near Adkhal Mohalla in the background of Holi festival. Hindu fishermen from Paj Pandhari were, however, worried about the safety of their boats.

3. A Hindu man clicked a photo of a vehicle on 12.03.2025 when Muslims from the Mohalla questioned him for taking a picture and took him to task.

4. A few Muslim young men and women immediately started pelting stones at Hindus after this incident. (This is an example exhibiting Muslim women’s hatred against Hindus – Editor)

5. The mob from Paj Pandhari and Adkhal Mohalla came face to face with each other and started throwing stones; injuring about 14 people.

6. Dapoli Police station got the information about these clashes and Police Inspector Vivek Ahire reached the place of incident with his team. He tried to pacify the mob. District Police Superintendent (DSP) Dhananjay Kulkarni also reached Adkhal and surveyed the situation.

7. Presently, the situation is calm but tense. The Peace Committee’s meeting was held at night. DSP Kulkarni had discussions with the heads of both the groups and appealed to people to maintain peace and not to do anything against law.

Role of Police was suspicious

The local sources informed ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ about this incident wherein it was reported that Police first called ten people from each group to Dapoli Police Station. A few main Hindu activists went to Dapoli; but the concerned Police Officer went to Harne Police station, i.e. where the incident actually took place and called Hindu activists there. Harne Police were informed that as per their instructions some of the activists had gone to Dapoli Police station. Police advised the activists to patch up and close the matter.

At Dapoli Police station, however, discussions were held between 7 activists from both sides. Police told them there has to be peace during the festivals and they will deploy more staff. The main Hindu activists informed the Police that their boats would be taken from the lower side of the creek with pomp and fanfare during Holi festival. Police, however, warned them not to use the lower side of the creek and refrain from fanfare. Hindus, nevertheless, opposed them. Later, the Police decided to allow the celebration of Holi festival under tight Police security.

Editorial Perspective

It is an old habit of Muslims to create problems during the celebration of Hindus religious festivals and attack Hindus. Only effective Hindu unification along with strict implementation of laws can bring such people to their senses.