Jabalpur stone-pelting: Youth 'vandalises' temple grill during Aarti, clashes break out between groups; police deployed

Clashes Erupt in Jabalpur's Sihora Over Temple Vandalism

Tension gripped the Sihora area of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, late Thursday night when a youth reportedly damaged the grill of a Durga temple during the evening aarti. The incident unfolded around 9 pm in Ward No. 5 at Azad Chowk, a busy locality where the temple stands opposite a mosque. As devotees performed the aarti, prayers or namaz were simultaneously underway at the mosque, setting the stage for a sudden confrontation. Eyewitnesses described how the young man approached the temple structure and began tampering with its protective grill, an act that quickly drew outrage from those present. What started as a verbal altercation soon escalated, with locals claiming the youth was assaulted in retaliation. This sparked gatherings from both sides, leading to a chaotic exchange of stones that lasted about 10 minutes. The air filled with shouts and the sound of projectiles, heightening fears of broader unrest in the neighborhood.

Police responded swiftly to restore order, deploying teams from nearby Sihora, Khitauli, and Gosalpur stations. Additional forces rushed in from Jabalpur city, and officers resorted to lobbing tear gas shells to disperse the agitated crowds. Senior Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay confirmed that the situation was brought under control, with heavy deployment maintained to prevent any recurrence. Initial reports indicated more than 15 arrests, though later updates suggested the number could be around 20 or even higher as investigations progressed. CCTV footage from the area is being scrutinized to identify key individuals involved, ensuring a thorough probe into the sequence of events.

Community Reactions and Allegations Surface

The fallout from the clash saw sharp divisions in narratives from different groups. Local residents from one community alleged that the vandalism was deliberate, aimed at disrupting the sacred aarti, with claims of stones and even swords found inside the nearby mosque afterward. Members of Hindu organisations gathered outside the Sihora police station the following day, reciting Hanuman Chalisa in protest and demanding stricter action against those they held responsible. They described the stone-pelting as one of the worst incidents in the area, insisting it was pre-planned to shatter communal harmony. On the other hand, police statements pointed to a simpler trigger: a dispute between children that snowballed into violence. SP Upadhyay emphasized that no Section 144 restrictions were imposed yet, as normalcy had returned, but vigilance remained high.

The incident began while Aarti was being performed in the temple. People entered and threw stones, misbehaved with and abused the women, and even tried to break the railing. As a crowd began to gather, they started pelting stones from the top of the mosque, leaving everyone injured. We demand that whoever planned this, and whoever their leader is, should be arrested immediately.

Police Measures and Broader Context

Authorities have detained around 20 individuals so far, with expectations of more arrests as evidence mounts. The focus is on seizing vehicles used by rioters and piecing together the timeline through video recordings. While the immediate area has calmed, barricades and bus stops have been set up as precautions. This episode echoes similar tensions reported elsewhere, such as stone-pelting during a Shivaji Jayanti procession in Karnataka's Bagalkot and a minor clash near Hyderabad's Jama Masjid, underscoring a pattern of friction around religious events and processions. In Jabalpur, some sources hinted at underlying issues like objections to loudspeakers used for namaz announcements overlapping with temple rituals, though police have not confirmed this as the root cause. Community leaders from both sides have urged restraint, calling for dialogue to mend ties.

The rapid police intervention prevented the clash from spiraling into a larger riot, a testament to coordinated efforts amid rising sensitivities. As the investigation deepens, residents hope for justice that addresses grievances without fueling further divides. Normalcy has largely returned to Azad Chowk, with shops reopening and daily life resuming under watchful eyes.

In summary, the Jabalpur incident began with alleged temple vandalism during aarti, led to brief but intense clashes, and was contained through decisive policing with multiple arrests. Ongoing probes aim to clarify facts and uphold peace in the sensitive area.