Stone-pelting on Ramnavami procession by religious fanatic Muslims near a Masjid in Lucknow

Hindus feel that such violence should not take place in a State that has a BJP-led Government

Laxmanpuri (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) – Stones were hurled at a Ramnavami procession taken out by Hindus in front of the Shahi Masjid in Janakipuram area. Due to the chaos created, Hindus who were participating in the procession started running away but were chased and beaten up by fanatic Muslims. Some vehicles in the area were also vandalised.

Regarding this incident, Kuldeep Singh Rathore (Coordinator of the procession and BJP leader) told a representative of the ‘Opindia’ news website that he had obtained Police permission for the procession. None of the participants in the procession argued with anyone. Yet, as the procession passed near the Shahi Masjid, Muslim women began hurling stones from rooftops and minor boys in the street started pelting stones. During this time, 20 adult male attackers were also involved. The vehicle used for the procession was also vandalised. One person was injured in the violence. In this incident, Police instead arrested 7 procession participants some of whom are minors. Only 2 stone-pelters were arrested.

However, about this violence, Police officer Brijesh Tripathi claimed, “No action has been taken against anyone since no formal complaint has been filed yet. Procession participants have been released following questioning”.

Uttar Pradesh: Muslim mob including women and minors pelt stones on Ram Navami procession in Lucknow, Hindu groups sit on dharna at police stationhttps://t.co/s2Ae3LAON7

— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) March 31, 2023

Last year too violence had erupted

Kuldeep Singh Rathore recalled how last year too there was violence during Ramnavami after Muslims started arguing. At that time, gunshots were also fired. Rathore accused the Samajwadi Party Corporator Chand of provoking the religious fanatics.