Violent confrontations between two communities have been reported across three states—Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The friction primarily ignited during religious processions and prayers, leading to stone-pelting and clashes. While authorities have brought the situation under control, a heavy police presence remains in the affected areas to maintain order.
Escalation In Jabalpur
In the Sihora locality of Jabalpur, communal harmony was disrupted on Thursday night at Azad Chowk, where a temple and a mosque are located in close proximity. The tension began around
9:30 pm during the simultaneous occurrence of temple prayers and Ramzan 'Tarawih' prayers.
According to reports, an argument broke out over the playing of music, which quickly escalated into violence. Allegations surfaced that an individual attempted to damage the Durga temple's iron grill, provoking a sharp reaction. The confrontation turned into a full-scale clash involving stone-pelting and the vandalism of nearby shops and vehicles. To disperse the mob, police were forced to use tear gas shells. Currently, 25 individuals from both sides have been arrested, and patrolling has been intensified in the sensitive lanes of Sihora.
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(Jabalpur Collector Raghavendra Singh and SP Sampat Upadhyay reached the spot on Friday morning and are reviewing the situation.(Image Source: Jagran)
Stone-Pelting In Bagalkot
A similar incident occurred in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka during a procession celebrating Shivaji Jayanti. As the march passed near a local mosque, stones were allegedly pelted at the participants.
Siddharth Goyal, SP of Bagalkot, confirmed the incident, stating that stones were directed toward the police as well. While no injuries were reported, Hindu organisations claimed the stones originated from the mosque premises. Police acted swiftly to clear the gathering and have vowed strict action against those identified in the stone-pelting.
Clash During Procession In Amberpet
In Hyderabad's Amberpet area, tensions flared when a Shivaji Jayanti procession crossed paths with a mosque during evening prayers. The dispute reportedly began over loud music and sloganeering. Amidst the chaos, a YouTuber filming the event was allegedly attacked by the crowd, further intensifying the friction between the two groups.
The Amberpet police intervened immediately to stabilise the situation. Officials stated that although slogans were raised by both sides, the presence of officers on the ground prevented the situation from spiraling further. No formal complaints have been lodged yet, and the area remains under close watch.
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Current Status
Following the unrest, local administrations in all three states have engaged with community elders to restore communal harmony.
In Sihora (MP): Barricades have been placed around sensitive zones, and while some shops remained closed on Friday morning, the district collector and SP are monitoring the situation to ensure a peaceful Friday prayer.
In Hyderabad and Bagalkot: Higher officials are reviewing CCTV footage to identify anti-social elements who fueled the rumors and violence.
Authorities have urged citizens not to fall prey to unverified social media posts and to cooperate with the police in maintaining peace.