Communal clashes broke out in Northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri following a Shobha Yatra organised to mark Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday, police said. According to officers, stones were thrown in the area, and the situation remained tense until late night.
This is the first major communal flare-up in the national capital since the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, which left 53 people dead and many more injured.
While no casualties were reported on Saturday, police said 10-12 people were injured, including six officers. They had been taken to hospital and were recuperating.
After the violence, police in all 14 districts were put on high alert and senior officers were asked to be on the ground. “Commissioner of Police, Delhi has directed that in view of communal situation in Jahangirpuri, all officers up to the rank of Special Commissioners of Police of both zones shall be in the field and ensure that communal situation is not disturbed in any part of Delhi. Rest of the officers shall also be on alert,” read a message that went out to all senior officers of the Delhi Police.
Police said that during the yatra, an argument broke out between two communities. “Things escalated, and both sides started pelting stones at each other. They damaged public property and torched vehicles,” a senior police officer said.
Senior officers rushed to the spot and additional forces were called in, said police. “Police tried to control the crowd during which several personnel were injured,” an officer said.
On Saturday night, the area had been locked down, roads were barricaded, and police in riot gear had been deployed in large numbers. The roads were littered with glass shards, bricks, and stones. A burnt out shell of a scooter lay on the road.
Auto parts mechanic Akash Thakur (20), said he had parked his bike and was headed to join the Shobha Yatra that was passing through Block B, near Kushal Cinema, when the clashes broke out.
“I ran for my life. When I came back to where I had parked my bike, I found it was missing. We were celebrating peacefully,” Thakur said.
Mastan (27), a resident of Block C, said he was out buying fruits at the time. He claimed that those in the rally raised slogans such as “Bharat mein rehna hoga toh Jai Shri Ram kehna hoga.”
He also alleged that some people carrying saffron flags had tried to enter a mosque, and that the violence had escalated because the police presence in the area is usually thin.
“The stone pelting took place from both sides. We tried to stop the clashes, appealed for peace,” Mastan said.
Cab driver Ajay Kumar (27) said he sustained injuries to his leg as he fled the violence. “I had come to check on my parents when I
heard news of a clash. There was fierce stone-pelting, and while I managed to escape from the area, my Swift Dzire car was destroyed by
the mob. How will I earn my living now?” he said.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the violence and appealed for calm. “The incident of stone pelting during a Shobha Yatra in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri is condemnable. There should be strict action against those who are to blame. I appeal to everyone — hold each other’s hand and maintain peace,” he tweeted.
Kejriwal said he had spoken to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. “He assured that all steps are being taken to ensure peace and that guilty will not be spared,” the Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the violence and appealed for calm.
In a press release, the L-G’s office said: “L-G has condemned the incidents of violence and stone pelting in the National Capital as unfortunate and said that none behind these activities will be spared. He took stock of the situation along with CP, Delhi and has
appealed to the people to maintain peace…and cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order…”
BJP leader Kapil Mishra said the incidents in Jahangirpuri should be treated as a terrorist attack. He alleged that the area was known to harbour “Bangladeshi infiltrators”, and that people had been mobilised for the 2020 Delhi riots from the area. “They should be identified and their homes should be bulldozed,” he said.
Manoj Tiwari, the BJP MP from North East Delhi, said, “There has been stone pelting in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri on Hanuman Jayanti… This incident did not occur all of a sudden; it is a conspiracy. Police should immediately conduct a probe and take strictest action against the culprits. Though the situation is getting back to normal,… there should be a thorough probe on who are the culprits, where the stones came from… Their houses should be checked for weapons, and their IDs. I can say with confidence that several incidents are taking place through a conspiracy. I would also request Chief Minister Kejriwal that this is not the time to shirk responsibility, but to work collectively and step forward to punish the culprits. Please maintain harmony.”
Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta said the violence was “not a coincidence but a huge conspiracy”. “The culprits…should be punished and Delhi Police will definitely ensure that. I will speak to the Home Minister too. But the question arises that in several unauthorised colonies of Delhi — whether it is Jahangirpuri or Jamuna Paar — Bangladeshis and Rohingyas are staying illegally in large numbers and the Delhi government is giving them electricity and water connections. The Delhi government is answerable as to why they are providing protection to such people.”
The Delhi Police Commissioner said on Twitter: “In today’s incident in NW District, the situation is under control. Adequate additional force has been deployed in Jahangirpuri & other sensitive areas. Senior officers have been asked to remain in field and closely supervise the law & order situation & undertake patrolling. Strict action will be taken against rioters. Citizens are requested to not to pay heed to rumours and fake news on social media.”
According to officers, stones were pelted in the area and the situation was tense. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna) 
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the violence and appealed for calm.
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