Thane: Communal Unrest Persists in Mumbai’s Mira Road for Second Day Following Ram Mandir Inauguration
Mira Bhayandar, 24th January 2024: The city of Mumbai, particularly Mira Road, remains embroiled in communal tensions for a second consecutive day following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir. Shockingly, incidents of violence have been broadcast live on social media platforms, portraying mobs targeting auto rickshaws and shops in a renewed outbreak of conflict linked to the Ram Temple in Mumbai.
The unsettling events unfolded on Tuesday as communal clashes persisted in Mira Road over the Ram Mandir inauguration. Disturbingly, the mob chose to live-stream their violent acts on various social media platforms, leading to the rapid dissemination of the footage online.
Many outlets shared a video of the clashes on its official platform X (formerly Twitter), depicting the mob attacking an auto rickshaw in the latest episode of Ram Temple-related violence. The aggressors also targeted shops and vehicles belonging to different communities.
The conflict’s origins can be traced back to a dispute between two communities in Mira Road’s Naya Nagar area, ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha on Monday (22nd January). Responding to the situation, DCP Jayant Bajbale initiated an investigation.
DCP Jayant Bajbale shared details, explaining that around 11 pm on January 21, members of the Hindu community were seen raising slogans in 3-4 vehicles in the Naya Nagar area. One victim recounted being forced to chant religious slogans by the attackers, as reported by TimesNow.
In response to the escalating situation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a stern warning against rioters. On Monday, “illegal” constructions were demolished in Mumbai under heavy security, and 13 people have been arrested since the initial scuffle on January 21.
A separate incident on Monday evening involved a procession being pelted with stones in the Thane district, resulting in injuries to participants and police officers providing security.
Emphasizing his commitment to maintaining law and order, Fadnavis stated, “Anyone trying to disrupt law and order in Maharashtra will not be tolerated.” The police are actively working to identify additional suspects through CCTV footage.
