In Vadodara, rumour of stone pelting leads to commotion at Ganesh procession
JC Kothiya further said that the people at the back of the procession began moving about haphazardly, assuming that stone pelting was taking place and a few stones were pelted by members of the procession in “retaliation”.
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The procession passing from Gorwa in Vadodara on Friday night. (Express Photo)The Vadodara City Police on Saturday said that it “averted” a law and order situation during a procession of the arrival of Lord Ganesh — ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities that begin September 7 — when an alleged “commotion” ensued late Friday due to a rumour of stone pelting by miscreants.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) J C Kothiya said the incident occurred when a local youth group from Gorwa had taken out a procession to bring home the idol of Lord Ganesh, accompanied by DJ music. When some local residents asked the organisers to tone down the music at one location, it allegedly led to a “misunderstanding” with those participating in the procession thinking that “someone had pelted stones” at the procession.
Addressing mediapersons, Kothiya said that as the procession was passing near Madhunagar, the organisers realised that the truck with the DJ system could get stuck in electricity cables and thus, it was asked to pass to speed away and not wait for the procession.
“The distance between the trucks carrying the DJ system and the idol increased and some local residents said the music should be turned off for sometime until the procession catches up. Some of the organisers, who were leading the procession, made a noise about it and the rest of the participants misunderstood this and thought miscreants were pelting stones at the procession. There was a commotion,” he added.
Kothiya further said that the people at the back of the procession began moving about haphazardly, assuming that stone pelting was taking place and a few stones were pelted by members of the procession in “retaliation”.
“There was chaos and people at the back thought that something has happened… commotion ensued as the rumour spread that someone has pelted stones… a few stones were thrown on both sides but since the procession was carried out amid police cover, two inspectors were present there and the situation was immediately brought under control… The idol of Lord Ganesh was not damaged,” he added.
Kothiya said while no case has been registered as no complaint has been filed, the police have apprehended two persons under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. “There is no case of rioting as it was a misunderstanding… However, two persons, who seem to have incited the participants of the procession based on the rumour of stone pelting, were booked as they were visibly intoxicated when they were brought to the police station,” he added.
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