Jabalpur temple row: Police defuse Ganesh festival shop dispute in MP
Synopsis
A late-night protest by VHP and Bajrang Dal workers at Jabalpur's Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple over alleged Muslim-owned stalls during Ganesh festival tested local law enforcement — and was defused within hours through police mediation, with the temple committee denying it ever granted such permission.
Key Takeaways
VHP and Bajrang Dal workers protested late Monday night at the Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple in Gwarighat, Jabalpur .
Protesters alleged that Muslim traders had been given temporary shop allotments on temple premises during the Ganesh festival .
The temple committee denied granting permission to non-Hindu traders to operate on its premises.
Additional SP Suryakant Sharma confirmed police reached the spot immediately and resolved the dispute through mediation.
No violence or untoward incidents were reported; police said the situation is normal and under monitoring.
Police in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, intervened on the night of 22 September 2026 to defuse a communally sensitive dispute at the Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple in the Gwarighat area, after workers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested late Monday alleging that Muslim traders had been allowed to operate temporary shops on the temple premises during the ongoing Ganesh festival. Police said the situation was brought under control through mediation, with no violence reported.
What Triggered the Dispute
The objection centred on allegations that shops set up on the temple compound — typically permitted during the festival to serve visiting devotees — were being run by non-Hindu traders. VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered at the temple premises late on Monday night, demanding that such allotments be reversed. The protest drew a crowd, prompting police to deploy personnel at the site.
How Police Handled It
Additional Superintendent of Police Suryakant Sharma confirmed that a police team reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the dispute. 'During the Ganesh festival, some people complained that the shops set up there were owned by Muslim traders. Upon receiving the information, a police team immediately reached the spot,' Sharma said. He added that the temple committee held authority over the premises and had the power to determine who could operate stalls there. 'The matter was resolved through mutual counsel and persuasion. After mediation, both parties were pacified, and the situation is peaceful and under control,' he said.
Temple Committee's Position
The Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple committee denied having granted permission to non-Hindu traders to run shops on its premises, distancing itself from the allegations that sparked the protest. The committee's clarification was part of the discussions facilitated by police that led to the de-escalation.
Current Situation and Police Vigil
'No complaint regarding violence or any other untoward incident has been received so far. The situation at the temple is normal,' a police official said. Authorities confirmed they are monitoring the site and will take action if a specific complaint involving a legal violation is received. The episode comes amid heightened security vigilance at religious venues across the country during the festive season, particularly at locations that attract large public gatherings.
Point of View
Yet that denial came only after the crowd had already gathered. That sequencing matters: the mobilisation preceded the verification. Local police deserve credit for containing the situation without incident, but the speed at which an unconfirmed allegation can trigger a late-night protest at a place of worship raises questions about the role of organised outfits in amplifying routine festival-ground disputes. As India moves deeper into the festive calendar, the frequency of such episodes — and the institutional response to them — will be closely watched.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Jabalpur temple dispute about?
The dispute arose at the Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple in Gwarighat, Jabalpur, when VHP and Bajrang Dal workers protested on Monday night alleging that Muslim traders had been allowed to operate temporary shops on temple premises during the Ganesh festival. The temple committee denied having granted such permission.
How did police resolve the Jabalpur temple row?
Additional SP Suryakant Sharma said police reached the spot immediately and held discussions with all parties involved. The matter was resolved through mediation and persuasion, with both sides pacified and no violence reported.
Was anyone arrested or any FIR filed in the Jabalpur temple dispute?
According to police, no complaint regarding violence or any untoward incident was received. The situation was brought under control without any arrest being mentioned publicly, and authorities said they would act if a specific legal complaint were filed.
What is the current situation at the Jabalpur temple?
Police described the situation at the Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple as normal. Authorities said they are monitoring the premises and the Ganesh festival continues to draw large gatherings of devotees.
Why are such disputes more common during Ganesh festival?
The Ganesh festival attracts large crowds at temples, leading to the temporary licensing of commercial stalls on or near temple grounds. This creates flashpoints where the identity of stall operators can become a source of communal tension, particularly when organised groups raise objections about religious affiliation of traders.
