Violence mars Muharram in India, clashes reported in UP and Bihar
New Delhi: Muharram processions in India were once again marred by communal violence, police inaction, and rising intolerance, as multiple clashes erupted in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, leaving several injured—including an 8-year-old boy—and spreading fear among Muslim community.
According to Kashmir Media Service, what should have been a time of solemn mourning turned into scenes of chaos, with attacks on processions, Islamophobic slogans, and brutal assaults carried out under the watch of silent law enforcement.
Tension flared in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district when a peaceful Muharram procession in Gulharia village, under Khadda police station, turned violent following objections to the display of religious flags. The situation escalated when stone-pelting began, injuring several, including 8-year-old Akhlaq, who sustained a head injury.
A separate dispute over DJ music during a procession in the same area further fueled communal tensions, resulting in an anti-Muslim violence.
In Bihar’s Katihar district, the situation took an alarming turn when a Muharram procession in the Naya Tola area was attacked with stones. Panic erupted as anti-social elements targeted the Tazia procession, reportedly throwing stones at a nearby religious site and chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” to provoke mourners. Witnesses reported Islamophobic slurs and hate speech, while the police allegedly stood by without intervening.
“They attacked us with sticks. We didn’t even do anything. We were just standing there,” said Rahmat, a resident of the area. Several were injured and multiple vehicles were vandalized during the violence.
A local elder expressed fear and frustration: “We are scared. We don’t want one-sided action from the police. We just want justice.” The incident has left the Muslim community on edge, fearing further escalation and biased treatment.
Violence also broke out in Gopalganj district of Bihar, near Shikmi Dhala under Manjha police station, over a dispute regarding the route of a Muharram procession. The disagreement quickly turned into a violent clash involving sticks and bricks, leaving over ten people injured, many of whom were admitted to Sadar Hospital and local clinics.
Observers and rights activists say the selective enforcement of law, silence of police, and open hate speech during these attacks reflect a wider pattern of religious persecution under the current Modi regime in India.
