Bhiwandi witnessed a surge of communal tension late Tuesday night following an incident of stone-pelting at a Ganpati idol during the immersion procession near Hindustani Mosque. The act of vandalism led to a significant uproar, with the Ganesh Mandal demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and halting the continuation of the immersion.
The peaceful Ganpati immersion procession was disrupted when stones were hurled at the Ganesh idol, causing damage and inciting violent reactions from the crowd. In response to the escalating chaos, the police intervened, employing a lathi charge to disperse the agitated crowd. The action resulted in several injuries, with reports indicating that the situation was tense and unruly.
Additional Commissioner of Police Dnyaneshwar Chavan addressed the media on Wednesday, explaining that the procession had commenced without incident. However, he confirmed that the situation deteriorated following the stone-pelting, which led to disputes and clashes among the participants. “The situation is now under control, and those involved in the disturbances are being identified for legal action. Some individuals have been detained for questioning, and further actions will follow,” Chavan assured.
The Bhiwandi incident is part of a troubling pattern of similar occurrences across Maharashtra. Reports indicate that stones were thrown at individuals in Lagaon Jamod town and in the Buldhana region around the same time, leading to injuries and further unrest.
The Bhiwandi disturbance has sparked outrage on social media, where calls for strict action against those responsible for the violence have been widely shared. The incident also attracted the attention of local politicians, with BJP MLA Mahesh Prabhakar Choughule visiting the scene. Hindu activists were reportedly heard chanting “Jai Shree Ram” in response to the turmoil.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to manage the situation and prevent further escalation. The police are working to maintain peace and order in the area as investigations into the incident proceed.
