Clashes erupted between two groups in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh during the Mangla Julus procession on Tuesday night, marking a tense prelude to Ram Navami, which falls on April 6 this year. The Mangla Julus, a revered tradition held every Tuesday after Holi, saw participation from various Akharas (traditional martial arts groups). The situation turned volatile at Jhanda Chowk when the group leading the procession played certain songs, which the opposing group objected to, citing religious sensitivities.
What began as a heated verbal argument quickly spiraled into a physical brawl, culminating in stone pelting from both sides. Chaos engulfed the area as participants scrambled, and bystanders were caught in the fray. The police, already present due to the large crowd, intervened promptly, using baton charges and firing four warning rounds into the air to disperse the crowd and prevent further escalation.
Videos of the incident, now widely shared on social media, depict a tense atmosphere, with heavy police deployment seen across key areas in Hazaribagh to prevent the unrest from spreading to other parts of the city. Local shops shuttered early, and many residents avoided the streets out of fear of further violence.
Deputy Commissioner Nancy Sahay assured that the situation was under control and that additional forces had been deployed to maintain peace. She emphasized that the clash was swiftly contained, preventing any major casualties or damage to property. “One group was playing some songs during the procession, which was objected to by the second group, resulting in a scuffle and stone pelting. But it did not escalate as the forces deployed there took control of the situation,” Sahay stated.
However, the incident quickly turned political. Union Minister and BJP MP Sanjay Seth strongly criticized the Hemant Soren-led state government, arguing that such incidents had become disturbingly routine in Jharkhand during religious festivals. He claimed that the state’s law and order situation was deteriorating, linking the violence to what he described as the unchecked influx of Bangladeshi infiltrators.
“Violence breaks out during idol immersion after Saraswati Puja. Violence breaks out during Ram Navami, during Holi, during Shiv Barat. Who are the people who want to affect peace? Why is Jharkhand facing this repeatedly? It’s because Bangladeshi infiltrators are affecting the demography and law and order,” Seth said, echoing past remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah during Assembly election campaigns.
Seth’s comments have reignited a heated political debate, with opposition leaders accusing him of communalizing the incident for electoral gains. Leaders from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress condemned Seth’s statements, accusing him of stoking fear and division for political mileage. “It’s irresponsible to blame an entire community without proof. The focus should be on restoring peace and ensuring such clashes don’t happen again,” said JMM spokesperson Vinod Pandey.
Local residents, meanwhile, expressed mixed reactions. Some supported the minister’s strong stance, believing the state’s security measures were inadequate, while others felt the communal tone would further polarize communities that have historically coexisted peacefully. “We’ve celebrated Ram Navami together for decades. This kind of violence wasn’t part of our culture,” said Anil Kumar, a shopkeeper near the crash site.
In response to the criticism, the district administration has initiated an inquiry into the incident, aiming to uncover whether the violence was spontaneous or premeditated. Authorities are also investigating whether any inflammatory speeches or social media messages contributed to the escalation.
Senior police officers are holding peace talks with community leaders from both sides, urging calm and cooperation to ensure the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations proceed peacefully. “We’re determined to keep the situation under control. Anyone found spreading rumors or inciting violence will face strict action,” a senior police official stated.
The district administration has also issued advisories urging people not to believe or share unverified social media messages. They’ve asked residents to report suspicious activity or any attempts to provoke unrest directly to local authorities.
With Ram Navami around the corner — a festival that traditionally draws massive processions and gatherings — the eyes of the state and the nation remain on Hazaribagh. Authorities continue to monitor the region, hoping to prevent this flashpoint from escalating further into a wider communal or political crisis.
