List of attacks against Hindu processions in India

A series of incidents involving violence during religious processions have taken place in various regions of India, giving rise to intercommunity tensions.

Hanuman Jayanti Procession

On April 16, 2022, incidents of violence occurred during Hanuman Jayanti processions in several locations across India.

• In Delhi's Jahangirpuri area, a Hanuman Jayanti procession was pelted with stones by unidentified individuals from rooftops.
• A similar attack occurred in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, where a Muslim mob pelted stones and fired at Hindus participating in the procession.
• Stone-pelting also took place in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, during a Hanuman Jayanti yatra, leading to injuries and arrests.

Ram Navami Procession

Multiple incidents of violence during Ram Navami processions were reported from various states.

• In Jharkhand's Lohardaga district, a procession faced stone pelting and arson attacks, leading to injuries and vehicle damage.
• In Madhya Pradesh, stone pelting and arson occurred during a Ram Navami procession in Talab Chowk area.
• Similar attacks took place during Ram Navami processions in West Bengal's Howrah and Gujarat's Himmatnagar and Khambat towns.
• A Ram Navami Akhada procession was attacked by Islamists in Odisha's Joda town, resulting in clashes and injuries.

Navaratri Procession

• Communal tensions arose in Karauli, Rajasthan, during Navaratri, as a Hindu bike rally was attacked, shops were set on fire, and individuals were injured.
• In Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, clashes between communities occurred during Navratri celebrations, although the police denied a communal angle.
• Jehanabad, Bihar, witnessed a mob attack on a Durga idol procession, leading to injuries and curfew imposition.

Holi Celebration

Muslims objected to Hindu celebrations during Holi in various incidents.

• In Gujarat, Muslims attacked Hindus playing Holi, leading to clashes.
• Similar confrontations occurred in Uttar Pradesh's Noida and Bareilly, where Muslims demanded the cessation of Holi celebrations during Namaz.
• Clashes between the communities also unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, where meat pieces were thrown on the procession route.

Kanwar Yatra

The annual Kanwar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage, faced attacks from radical Islamists.

• In Jaipur, a Muslim mob attacked buses carrying Kanwariyas during their journey.
• Another incident occurred in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims pelted stones at a tractor-trailer carrying Kanwariyas.
• Siwan, Bihar, witnessed a mob attack on Kanwariyas during the idol immersion procession, resulting in injuries.

Saraswati Puja Celebration

Muslims attacked Saraswati Puja processions during the celebrations in various incidents.

• Clashes were reported in Bihar's Vidyasagar, Kathbari, Hazaribagh, and Beldiha villages, leading to injuries and tension.
• A clash between students and locals erupted in Patna, Bihar, during a Saraswati idol immersion procession, causing injuries and chaos.
• In Motihari, Bihar, a Muslim mob attacked a Vishwakarma idol immersion procession, resulting in injuries and damage to the idol.

Janmashtami Tension

In 2019, communal tensions arose in Bareilly district's Baheri tehsil during Janmashtami celebrations.

• In Makri Nacada village, Muslims pelted stones at devotees during a procession to celebrate Lord Krishna's birth.