A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against six extremist Muslims accused for pelting stones at a Hindu Shiv Yatra procession in Kheda district of Gujarat on September 6, 2023. The incident took place near a madarsa in Undhela village, where the accused were reportedly hiding on the rooftop and throwing stones at the devotees who were carrying a Shiva idol for immersion.
According to the FIR, the accused are identified as Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Arif, Mohammad Rafiq, Mohammad Salim, Mohammad Shoaib and Mohammad Yusuf. They have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation and mischief causing damage. They have also been charged under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act for allegedly trying to disrupt the religious harmony and hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community.
The FIR states that the accused had planned to attack the Shiv Yatra procession in advance and had collected stones and bricks on the rooftop of the madarsa. They also had sticks and iron rods with them. The accused started pelting stones at the procession when it reached near the madarsa around 11 am. The stones hit several devotees and injured them. Some of the injured were identified as Ramesh Patel, Prakash Patel, Rajesh Patel, Mahesh Patel, Jignesh Patel and Rakesh Patel.
The FIR further states that the accused also hurled abuses and threats at the devotees and tried to stop them from immersing the Shiva idol in a nearby pond. The devotees managed to reach the pond despite the attack and completed their rituals. The police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and arrested the accused from the madarsa. The police also seized the stones, bricks, sticks and iron rods from the rooftop.
The FIR mentions that the accused belong to a radical Islamist group that has been involved in several anti-social activities in the area. The group has been trying to create communal tension and disturb the peace and harmony in the village. The FIR also states that the accused have confessed to their involvement in the attack and have revealed their motive behind it.
The attack on the Shiv Yatra procession has sparked outrage among the Hindu community in Kheda district. Several Hindu organisations have condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the extremist Islamists culprits. They have also appealed to the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the Hindu devotees who participate in such religious processions.