Jaipur: On Saturday, 14th September, a Hindu religious procession celebrating Jaljhulani Ekadashi in Jahazpur town, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan, came under attack when stones were hurled at them from the Jama Masjid. The attack, which lasted for 20-25 minutes, left many devotees injured and created chaos, resulting in a stampede that forced the local market to shut down. This incident raises a critical question: why are Hindu processions, especially in Muslim-dominated areas, consistently targeted with such violence?
The Hindu community was conducting a peaceful religious procession when, without provocation, they were met with stones thrown from inside the mosque. Such targeted aggression against the majority community has become alarmingly frequent in India. This incident in Jahazpur follows a pattern where Hindu processions or festivals are attacked in areas with significant Muslim populations. Why is there so much hatred towards Hindus in these regions?
Notably, while Hindu processions face such violent disruptions, there are no recorded incidents of similar stone-pelting or attacks during Muslim processions, such as those held during Muharram. This stark contrast begs the question: why is the majority community repeatedly the target in India? What fuels this animosity, and why do such incidents keep recurring when it comes to Hindu processions?
Following the stone-pelting, Hindus gathered to demand strict action against those responsible. BJP MLA Gopichand Meena, representing the Jahazpur constituency, joined the protesters, assuring them that the ‘illegal mosque’ responsible for the attack would be demolished with a bulldozer. The municipality quickly issued a notice to the Head of the Jama Masjid, asking for documents proving land ownership, construction permits, and lease agreements within 24 hours.
In response to the violence, the police have detained 10 individuals linked to the attack, and a large police force has been deployed in the town to maintain peace. On the night of 14th September, the municipal corporation also took swift action, removing illegal encroachments by the Muslim community near the Jahazpur bus stand, a move confirmed by District Collector Rajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Despite the arrests and assurances of justice, this incident brings to light a disturbing trend. Why is it that Hindus, the majority community, continue to be targeted while Muslim processions proceed without disruption? Why is there such intolerance in areas where Hindus attempt to celebrate their festivals peacefully? As MLA Gopichand Meena called on the Hindus to end their protests, the deeper questions of religious animosity and repeated targeting of Hindu processions remain unanswered.
This incident, and others like it, highlight the urgent need for introspection and action to prevent the majority community from being subjected to violence, ensuring that all religious groups can celebrate their festivals in peace.
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