Violence disrupted the Ram Navami celebrations in many states on Thursday. Rioters allegedly attacked police officers in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, a day after two factions battled in the region. Meanwhile, stones were thrown during a Ram Navami parade in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Stones were thrown at a Ram Navami parade in West Bengal’s Howrah district, and many vehicles were set on fire.

Key Points:

1. On Ram Navami, many vehicles were set on fire and stores were looted in West Bengal’s Howrah district. According to PTI, a police official stated that the incident occurred when the procession was moving through the Kazipara neighbourhood.
2. Earlier today, Swami Vivekananda Seva Sangh teenagers wielded swords and hockey clubs at a Ram Navami demonstration in Howrah’s Sankarail neighbourhood.
3. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the violence in Howrah. “In brazen disregard for Hindu sentiments, Mamata Banerjee held dharna on Ramanavami, then warned Hindus about avoiding Muslim areas because it was Ramzan, forgetting that Hindus too were fasting for Navratr. As Home Minister of WB she is directly responsible for Howrah violence,” he tweeted.
4. Earlier today, Mamata Banerjee encouraged Ram Navami worshippers to “avoid Muslim regions since Ramzan is in progress.”
5. Stones were thrown during a Shobha Yatra held on the occasion of Ram Navami in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on Thursday.
6. A video of the event shows several miscreants throwing stones at the Ram Navami procession from rooftops. The police are seen attempting to manage the incident.
7. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Yashpal Jaganiya, while several vehicles were damaged, no one was harmed, and the parade continued along its planned path under police escort. Police have detained 14 people as a result of the incident.
8. On Wednesday night, two guys got into a brawl outside a Ram temple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Kiradpura locality of Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district. The situation deteriorated as additional people arrived and began throwing stones at each other, according to police, who added that the crowd also set fire to many public and police cars outside the temple.
9. Following the fight between two groups, a mob of 500 individuals flung stones and petro-filled bottles at police officers attempting to manage the scene. The fights injured at least 12 people, including 10 police officers.
10. On Thursday, there was also violence in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. Two groups clashed over playing music outside a mosque while namaz was being given.
11. The episode was described as “unfortunate” by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the home ministry. He also advised political parties not to give the violent conflicts “political colour.”