What Happened During the Muharram Procession in Ujjain?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five police officers injured during Ujjain procession violence.
- BJP condemns the unrest and calls for accountability.
- Police utilized force to manage the situation.
- Charges filed against 16 individuals for public disorder.
- Other regions in the state experienced peaceful processions.
Bhopal, July 7 (NationPress) The BJP in Madhya Pradesh has strongly condemned the violence that erupted during the Muharram procession in Ujjain, resulting in injuries to at least five police officers.
The clash reportedly took place when the procession attempted to deviate from a designated route that had been pre-approved by local authorities. In response, law enforcement resorted to a lathi charge to control the situation.
Senior BJP figure and Minister, Vishwas Sarang, addressed the incident, emphasizing that while the constitution supports the freedom of all religions, it equally mandates that law and order be maintained.
"The events in Ujjain are unacceptable, and the police will take necessary actions against those responsible for the violence. The permission granted was for the Muharram procession, not for creating disturbances. The police had clearly outlined the procession route, yet some individuals chose to resist and escalate the situation," Sarang stated in an interview with IANS.
Another BJP MLA from Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma, known for his strong Hindutva stance, accused the participants in the Ujjain event of premeditated violence, insisting that severe repercussions should follow for those who attacked the police.
"The government led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will not stand for violence, and those involved in the Ujjain incident will face consequences so severe that they will think twice before acting out again," Sharma added.
A video circulating on social media captured the moment when the crowd forcefully attempted to breach the prohibited area, despite police barricades being in place.
Authorities were compelled to take action to disperse the unruly assembly, which led to many fleeing the scene, including individuals carrying the tazia, a symbolic representation of Imam Hussain's mausoleum.
In the aftermath, Ujjain district police have filed charges against 16 individuals, including one organizer, for disrupting public order.
"We are actively working to identify more individuals involved, utilizing CCTV footage from the area," a senior police official confirmed.
Elsewhere in Bhopal and various regions of the state, Muharram processions proceeded smoothly, with over a thousand tazias being paraded through different city sectors. No reports of violence emerged apart from the incidents in Ujjain.
The main procession in Bhopal commenced at Fatehgarh, with others starting from locations such as Iranian Imambara, Qaziq Camp, and neighborhoods including Bhanpur, Karond, Gandhi Nagar, among others.
A special Majlis was also held at the Sunni Sakalani Jama Masjid in Ashoka Garden, where prayers for peace were conducted over three days.