On Monday, at least four policemen were injured after a mob of sword-wielding men attacked a gurudwara since permission to hold a public procession in Maharashtra’s Nanded had been denied in view of the Chinese Virus pandemic.
Keeping the pandemic in view Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government had imposed restrictions on celebrations of Holika Dahan, Holi Rangpanchami, and other festive celebrations due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state. The state government had, however, granted permission for Shab-e-Barat to be celebrated in a restricted manner and on the same lines had instructed the Gurudwara committee to conduct Hola Mohalla inside the gurudwara while observing pandemic guidelines.
Several visuals that have emerged from the incident, on the other hand, showed sword-wielding Sikhs breaking barricades and attacking the cops. “Permission for Hola Mohalla wasn’t granted due to COVID-19. Gurudwara committee was informed and they said that they would do it inside the gurudwara premises itself. But around 4 pm when Nishan Sahib was brought to the gate, they started arguing and 300-400 youth broke the gate and marched outside. Police personnel suffered injuries, vehicles got damaged,” Nanded SP said.
OpIndia says “A video is making rounds on the social media platforms in which mob could be seen at the Gurudwara raising slogans of Jo Bole Sau Nihal, breaking barricades and attacking the police officers present at the scene. At least 10 policemen, including the bodyguard of SP, Nanded, were injured.“
An FIR has been registered against at least 200 people under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntary causing hurt with dangerous weapons), 188 (Disobeying the order of public servant), 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and a probe is underway.
Khalistanis celebrating the brutal violence in Nanded
"Farmer protests" have been an effective vehicle for such dangerous elements to thrive and shine publicly without fear pic.twitter.com/vfTNAdDH0H
— Opinion Bakery (@IndiaSpeaksPR) March 30, 2021
A Punjabi message put out by a Twitter user read:
“The state is subservient to those with weapons,
Without an efficient state, there can be no Dharma,
Without Dharma, the undeserving flourish.”
There is a lesson in the quotes for Hindus as well which says without Dharma only the undeserving will flourish and that Dharma must be protected at all costs. Additionally, this episode is an apt reminder of the inefficient dispensation currently ruling Maharashtra. Where an iron hand has to be used, we are seeing authorities faltering and giving in to anti-social elements.
(Featured Image Source: OpIndia)
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