Incidents of stone pelting on Ganpati pandals have been reported from many states of India. Recently, there was a ruckus in Surat of Gujarat due to stone pelting. Now, during Ganpati immersion in Bhiwandi of Thane district of Maharashtra, people of other community have pelted stones. After the stone pelting, many people were detained after the ruckus while taking the idol of Lord Ganesha for Ganpati immersion in Bhiwandi.
Stones pelted on Ganesh idol near mosque
Communal tension broke out in Bhiwandi late Tuesday night after stones were pelted on a Ganesh idol near Hindustani Mosque during a Ganpati immersion procession. According to reports, people near Hindustani Mosque pelted stones on the idol, following which the crowd got agitated and a clash broke out between the two groups. Police had to resort to mild lathicharge to control the situation. Police have also detained some people in this case. Around midnight, the idol of Lord Ganesha was being taken from Ghunghat Nagar to Nadinaka Kamwari river for immersion. While the Ganesh idol was passing through Vanjarpatti Naka, news came that some boys near Hindustani Masjid pelted stones on the idol. It was also said that the idol got damaged due to the incident.
Communal tension spread in Bhiwandi
Let us tell you that when the idol was pelted with stones, the Ganesh Mandal, angry with the incident, demanded the arrest of those responsible and refused to continue the immersion. The police is investigating it. After the incident, the people of the Mandal created a ruckus over the breaking of the idol. According to sources, the crowd also caught a young man and handed him over to the police. Regarding the breaking of the idol, the people of the Mandal demanded that the idol will not be immersed until the police catch all the accused. As soon as the news of the incident spread, some more people of the Mandal reached there and started chanting Jai Shri Ram. In no time, the crowd of people from both the communities increased and an atmosphere of tension was created. Seeing the situation deteriorating, senior police officers reached the spot and the police explained to the people.
Ganpati immersion procession started peacefully, stones were pelted to spoil the atmosphere
In a press conference, Additional Commissioner of Police Dnyaneshwar Chavan said that the Ganpati immersion procession near Hindustani Masjid had started peacefully and was progressing smoothly. However, the situation deteriorated after stones were thrown, leading to a dispute and altercation between some people, leading to a ruckus. Ganesh devotees demanded the arrest of the accused and said that Ganpati immersion will not be done until the accused is arrested. There was also a scuffle between the police and the growing crowd. Seeing the situation, the police also resorted to mild lathicharge, in which several people were injured and some policemen were also injured.
After the tension, BJP MLA Mahesh Chaugule took stock of the situation
BJP MLA Mahesh Chaugule reached the spot with his supporters. He gathered with the people at Shivaji Chowk and demanded action. Meanwhile, a large number of people reached Hafiz Dargah, after which a large number of police were deployed on the spot. DCP Shrikant Paropkari and Additional Commissioner Dnyaneshwar Chavan said on the spot that some people have been detained. He said, “A case has been registered and investigation is being done. Strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty.”
Bhiwandi, Maharashtra: During Ganpati immersion, stones were thrown at a Ganesh idol near Hindustani Mosque, breaking it and sparking tension between communities. The Ganesh Mandal demanded the arrest of those responsible and refused to proceed with the immersion. Police… pic.twitter.com/IaWbgy4AiZ
— IANS (@ians_india) September 18, 2024
Bhiwandi, Maharashtra: Additional Commissioner Of Police, Dnyaneshwar Chavan says, The traditional Ganpati immersion procession in Bhiwandi started peacefully near Hindustani Mosque and was proceeding well. However, a stone was thrown, causing a dispute and some altercations… https://t.co/NYUxTw84Ww pic.twitter.com/lGRwqoTgqJ
— IANS (@ians_india) September 18, 2024
