Tensions gripped Nashik, Jalgaon, and Aurangabad after protests organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj over the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh faced attacks, including stone pelting, triggering a law and order situation.
In Nashik, a shutdown was called on Friday to protest against the persecution of Hindus and the vandalism of temples in Bangladesh. Violence has been ongoing in Bangladesh for the past few days, with attacks on the Hindu community and the destruction of temples. But clashes erupted after protests by Hindu groups encountered resistance, leading to violent face-off and stone pelting in the Bhadrakali area.
Update: the clash in Nashik happened after a bike rally brought out by Hindu groups encountered resistance, leading to a violent face-off and stone pelting in the Bhadrakali area.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 16, 2024
Several people are injured. Police has restored order.
Can't fathom why anyone would actively… pic.twitter.com/SdKAndBD0C
The Sakal Hindu Samaj officials have urged the central government to take immediate steps to safeguard the Hindu community and temples that have come under attack following the hasty removal of Sheikh Hasina, who had to flee to India in the wake of violent protests as Islamists stormed her residence and the Bangladeshi parliament in what they claimed as a “revolution” to restore democracy. But soon, the protests, spearheaded by Islamists, metamorphosed into anti-Hindu violence as the Hindu minority in the nation and their places of worship faced attacks in a country without a stable governing administration.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Violence broke out in Nashik, earlier today, during the protest march over the Bangladesh issue. pic.twitter.com/oFJSu4WOKw
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024
Nashik Road was also shut down
In response to the large-scale attacks on the Hindu community and families during the riots in Bangladesh, the Sakal Hindu Samaj called for a district-wide shutdown in Nashik, which received significant support in the Nashik Road area. Shops in areas like Subhash Road, Deolali Gaon Station Road, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Putala Chowk, Bitco Chowk Muktidham area, Jail Road, and Sinnar Phata remained closed, while in some places, open shops were forced to close by Hindu society workers.
A mob of 300-400 IsIamists tried to attack Hindu families in Nashik, Maharashtra this afternoon.
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 16, 2024
Luckily MH Police had Intel about it, they reached there on time, saved the Hindu families and treated the IsIamists well…
They're trying this even when they're just 20-25%,… pic.twitter.com/8bCO9pY2Gc
Shops were shut down
Hindu society workers rode around on motorcycles, urging shopkeepers to close their shops. Responding to their call, many shopkeepers complied and closed their businesses. To prevent any untoward incidents, strict security measures were put in place under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Ashok Giri from the Nashik Road Police Station and Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Sapkale from the Suburban Police Station.
Tensions flare up in Jalgaon over protests against persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh
Tension flared in Jalgaon city, North Maharashtra, on Friday when stones were thrown at a vehicle showroom during a similar protest march held by a Hindu organisation Sakal Hindu Samaj to denounce the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, officials reported.
Meanwhile, tension persisted in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, formerly known as Aurangabad, due to the remarks made by preacher and religious scholar Ramgiri Maharaj, who allegedly hurt religious sentiments by speaking against Prophet Mohammed.
