After communal violence during Holi in Jharkhand, police look for culprits, BJP takes aim at Soren govt

According to local sources, the incident happened when a Holi procession was passing near a mosque, and an altercation took place over loud music. This was followed by stone pelting from both sides. In the aftermath, “several gumti (stalls) and vehicles were set ablaze or vandalised, while multiple people got injured in the attack,” locals claimed.

SDO Ranjan, however, said the claims are exaggerated, and some of the videos doing the rounds are old.

Giridih Superintendent of Police Dr Bimal Kumar said, “We have identified some suspects and will update on the situation in due course.”

Authorities are currently probing the exact cause of the altercation. Deputy Development Commissioner Smrita Kumari, while talking to the media, said, “Anti-social elements had likely played a role in stoking the violence, disrupting law and order, but the situation is now peaceful.”

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and BJP president Babulal Marandi attacked the JMM-led state government and said, “The tragic incident of stone-pelting and arson during the Holi procession in Girdih’s Ghordhamba is a result of Hemant Soren’s politics of appeasement and the failure of the administrative system.”

Claiming that violence during Hindu festivals has become “a new trend”, the BJP leader blamed the JMM-Congress government for “promoting such activities by acting as a protector of infiltrators”.

“Seeing incidents of violence and frenzy during every Hindu festival, it seems that the state government itself is encouraging anti-Hindu elements to commit violence. The peace committee meetings held before festivals and the administration’s flag marches have become mere formalities,” Marandi said.

“Just two days ago, Hemant ji directed officials to maintain law and order, yet an unpleasant incident occurred in Girdih despite this. He seems to have lost all control over the administration,” he said.

“Giridih police should identify all the accused who disrupted the Holi procession and take strict action rather than trying to balance the situation by taking action against the victims,” he said.