NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that the BJP was responsible for the recent violence in Bahraich during a Durga idol immersion procession that led to the death of a 22-year-old man.
“Whatever happened in Bahraich was planned by the BJP in view of the upcoming elections in the state,” Akhilesh Yadav told news agency ANI.
The violence erupted on Sunday in Maharajganj, located under Mahsi tehsil, after an alleged dispute over loud music being played outside a place of worship during the immersion procession.The clash led to the tragic death of Ram Gopal Mishra, a 22-year-old who succumbed to gunshot injuries.
Following the incident, the area descended into chaos, with mobs engaging in widespread vandalism and arson, targeting homes, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles.
Local authorities have responded by registering multiple FIRs against both unidentified rioters and some named individuals. As of now, the police have detained 55 suspects and increased security measures in the town, which has a mixed population.
This marks the third major communal incident in Bahraich, following previous outbreaks in 2009 and 2014.
In October 2009, violence erupted in the same area after rumors circulated about objectionable materials being thrown at a religious site, leading to arson and destruction. A similar incident occurred in January 2014, triggered by disputes over loud DJ music, which also affected the Nanpara area.