Hindutva mob attacks Muslims, torches shops in West Bengal during Ram Navami procession
Kolkata: Violence erupted during a Ram Navami procession in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where men affiliated with Hindutva groups linked to Sangh Parivar organisations attacked Muslim residents and their properties, looting and setting several shops ablaze.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred in Fultala, located in the Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad district, where a majority of houses, small businesses, fruit stalls, and eateries belong to members of the Muslim community.
Tensions escalated when a Ram Navami procession, comprising a saffron-clad crowd accompanied by loud music and dancing, passed in front of a mosque located approximately 200 metres from Fultala crossing, while Friday prayers were in progress. Worshippers reportedly objected and requested that the procession be delayed until the conclusion of prayers, leading to a confrontation.
As the rally moved towards the Fultala junction, the situation escalated further. Members of the Hindutva mob climbed onto the rooftops of Muslim homes, hoisted saffron flags, vandalised properties, set shops on fire, and assaulted residents.
Local residents said that the assault continued for a prolonged period despite the presence of Indian police and paramilitary forces, who they said did little to intervene. The incident occurred just 500 metres from the Raghunathganj police station.
Among the injured was, Abdul Sheikh, a 30-year-old employee of the Jangipur municipality, who sustained serious head injuries after being attacked with iron rods. ecounting the incident, he, in a media interview, said: “I was simply returning home on a motorbike and happened to cross the Ram Navami procession. They caught me, beat me up severely, broke my motorbike and set it on fire. I am now undergoing treatment at Jangipur hospital.”
Jangipur MLA and Trinamool Congress candidate Zakir Hussain said that the violence was orchestrated with intent ahead of the upcoming elections. He said: “The BJP has deliberately caused this incident before the elections. The party is facing internal factionalism in Jangipur and is trying to consolidate Hindu votes by creating communal unrest.”
The incident has raised fresh concerns about targeted anti-Muslim attacks in the region, particularly in the run-up to the Assembly elections scheduled late in April.
