In Jahazpur town of Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, a minor dispute escalated into a serious incident on Friday night, when a 25-year-old man, Sitaram Keer, was brutally beaten by a mob. The dispute, which began over a minor collision between a cart and a car, quickly turned into a violent clash, resulting in the young man's death. The incident took a communal turn due to the different religious backgrounds of Sitaram and the accused.
As news of the incident spread, anger erupted in the area. Hundreds of people, including the local MLA, took to the streets and began a sit-in protest. The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the accused, compensation for the victim's family, and strict action against the perpetrators. The police promptly took action, arresting the main accused, Shareef, and filing a case against 16 named and 20 unidentified individuals. To control the situation, police forces from 10 police stations have been deployed in the area.
Double Challenge on Muharram and Devshayani Ekadashi
Amidst the tension in Jahazpur, the administration faces a major challenge in conducting the post-mortem of the deceased and transporting the body to his ancestral village in Tonk. The situation is further complicated because two major festivals, Muharram and Devshayani Ekadashi, are falling on the same day, Sunday. The administration is vigilant and monitoring the situation at every level to avoid any untoward incidents.
Dispute over Muharram in Kumbhalgarh as well
Communal tension has also arisen in Kumbhalgarh, in the Rajsamand district, regarding the Muharram procession. The administration has held talks with both parties and reached an agreement to shorten the procession route, but the atmosphere on the ground remains tense. Additional police forces have been called in, and officers are managing the situation. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has warned that if strict action is not taken in the Bhilwara incident, no Muharram procession will be allowed.
Although Hindu organizations postponed their planned protest on Saturday morning, no concrete decision has yet been made regarding the reopening of local markets. The District Collector and the Superintendent of Police are closely monitoring the situation and are present in the area, continuously striving to normalize the situation.
