Fanatic Muslims attack murti immersion procession in Birgunj (Nepal)

  • Deity Saraswati’s murti vandalised
  • Muslims cause violence even during the bandh called in protest of the attack
  • No Police action yet despite Police presence during the attack

Birgunj (Nepal) – Fanatic Muslims attacked the immersion procession of Deity Saraswati’s murti in Rautahat District of Nepal on 15 th February. When the procession approached the mosque near Ishanath, Muslims got into an argument with Hindus and started pelting stones subsequently. Due to this, the murti could not be immersed for 3 days. Finally, the administration took the initiative and immersed the murti. Hindu organisations called for Birgunj bandh against the attack. During this bandh too, fanatic Muslims assembled in large numbers and took to the streets. They tore the saffron flags installed during the procession and threw them into the drains. A temple was also vandalised. After this incident, curfew has been imposed by the administration.

Krishna Kumar Shah of the ‘Hindu Samrat Sena’in Nepal informed:

1. Hindus were marching peacefully to immerse Shri Saraswati murti in ​​the river. A peace committee was also formed before this procession. The committee included 5 members each from Hindu and Muslim communities. Both sides had assured the administration that they would convince their communities to maintain peace; However, the procession was stopped near a roadside mosque while passing through the Muslim- majority area of ​​Birgunj municipality.

2. Muslims objected to taking the procession in front of the mosque. This led to a dispute between the two communities. In no time, stones were pelted from Muslim houses around the mosque.

3. Women and children were also involved in stone pelting. Naresh Kumar Paswan and 2 minor Hindu children who participated in the procession, were injured due to stone pelting. Stones were also pelted on some Policemen who were guarding the procession. Shri Saraswati murti was also damaged due to stone pelting.

4. Angry devotees started agitation with the broken murti. After some time, the administrative officials reached the spot and requested the Hindus to immerse the murti. The officials assured strict action against rioting Muslims.

5. When the Hindus were going to immerse the murti, the Muslims again pelted stones.

6. The frequent stone pelting has created an atmosphere of fear not only among the Hindus but also among the administrative officials. Finally, the administration immersed the murti itself without the presence of Hindus.

7. Hindu organisations called for Birgunj bandh on 19thFebruary (Monday) as no one had been arrested in connection with the attack even after almost 3 days.

8. Such attacks have taken place before. Jihadis have disrupted more than 7 religious events including Shri Durga Puja.

Chants of ‘Allah-hu-Akbar’ during the violence

Hindu Samrat Sena President Rajesh Yadav said that on 19thFebruary, when the Hindu community was peacefully observing bandh, Muslims once again took to the streets. They had sticks and other weapons. People of all ages participated in this. They rioted in the streets shouting ‘Nara-e-Takbeer'(Allah is the greatest) and ‘Allah-hu-Akbar’
(Allah is great).

This time, the same violent mob tore the saffron flags with the picture of Deity Shriram installed on the poles in Birgunj and threw them into the drains. The Hindu Samrat Sena sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Nepal calling it a well-planned conspiracy and expressed concern about the condition of the majority Hindu community in the country, which constitutes 81% of the entire population.

Kiran Joshi, a female journalist from Nepal, has shared a video on her ‘X’ account. It shows the Police using force to bring the violent Muslims under control. Some young men wearing black Pathani suits are also seen running away from the Police.

Editorial Perspectives

  • This situation prevails presently when there are 81% Hindus and only 5% Muslims in Nepal. If Muslim population increases by another 20% in future, Nepal will become another Kashmir !
  • Political parties and Hindu organisations in Nepal should take efforts to protect Hindus by declaring Nepal as a Hindu Rashtra as soon as possible, otherwise the their next generation will have to struggle to preserve Hindu Dharma.