Incidents That Escalated Tension Amid Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha Ceremony

New Delhi- Over the course of the day, multiple bouts of violence and violent calls against the other communities were made by various members associated with the right-wing. As Ram Mandir’s Pran Pratistha took place, attacks on multiple minority religious institutions and name-calling were reported in the nation.

At Madhya Pradesh, a mob chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’ reached a church at Jhabua in the state of Madhya Pradesh. A recent video that has gone viral on social media revealed one person from the mob climbing on top of the roof to attach a saffron flag to the cross put at the top of the establishment, as the mob continues cheering for him. Later, the flag was taken down, according to a report by The Wire.

According to a report by the research organization ‘Hindutva Watch’, communal tensions were reported from Mira Road in Mumbai when a Shobha Yatra was passing through the area. Apparently, the multiple properties were vandalized, most of which belonged to the Muslim population of the area. The same report stated that police were later able to control the situation and had called on people to maintain communal harmony.

According to another report by ‘Hindutva Watch’, tensions were reported from Kodangal town in Sangareddy district of Telangana. A mob celebrating the event was reported to be playing loud music in front of a mosque, while chanting ‘anti-minority’ slogan. Another report by Maktoob Media further claimed that later, a Muslim man’s shop was burned down by the same mob.

Not even educational institutions were spared as many reported violent clashes, including premier central universities of the nation.

Students Harassment at Delhi University

Students affiliated with ABVP and RSS engaged in the Pran prathista ceremony at the Delhi School of Journalism, supported by the administration. Members of Bhagat Singh Chatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM) approached them, emphasizing that the college is a democratic, secular institution where such activities, particularly those associated with the oppression of minorities, should not take place. The student activists alleged that the ABVP and RSS-affiliated students remarked that the country is not for Muslims and expressed hostility toward the Shudra varna.

The situation further escalated when ABVP and RSS members attempted to physically harm female students who were challenging them. Subsequently, online threats were continuously directed at these students. Prior to this incident, Muslim and Dalit women in the college had also faced threats. During the altercation it was further alleged that when a minority student touched the ‘diyas’, they were deemed "ashudh" (impure), with the perpetrators reportedly claiming that the Ram Mandir was constructed on the blood of minorities and marginalized communities.

Police Deployed Outside Jamia Millia Islamia

As a “precautionary measure”, the Delhi Police had deployed personnel outside the university following the circulation of videos on social media depicting students from Jamia Millia Islamia allegedly chanting slogans like "Strike for Babri." Officials later confirmed that the protest and slogan-raising occurred within the campus premises, clarifying that no one was detained.

According to Press Trust of India, a police official stated, "The deployment of police personnel outside (the university) is a precautionary measure," adding that it was due to the Ram temple consecration ceremony and the upcoming Republic Day. Simultaneously, the administration of Jamia Millia Islamia assured those academic activities remained unaffected by the "protest," and the situation was currently under control.

Protestors at NIT Calicut Trashed for Holding Signs

On Monday, a clash unfolded at the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NIT-C) campus in Kozhikode, stemming from a provocative placard displaying the slogan 'India is not Rama Rajya.' Tensions escalated when a group of students, seeking to commemorate the consecration of the Ram idol in Ayodhya, clashed with another faction on campus. Reportedly, individuals attacked representatives of the students' union, Kailaas and a fourth-year student named Vyshaq. The affected students filed a complaint with both the NIT Dean and the Kunnamangalam Police. The confrontation resulted in minor injuries for students who were part of the group displaying the placard. Authorities are actively investigating the incident based on formal complaints lodged by the students involved.

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