NEW DELHI, May 26: A high-voltage drama unfolded in a residential colony in Mumbai’s Mira Road on Tuesday with Muslims stocking goats ahead of Bakri-Idd for sacrifice and a Hindu outfit bringing in a pig in protest leading to a fierce confrontation with the police.
The issue escalated into a political controversy after clashes took place as some Bajrang Dal members brought the pig. Eventually, the civic authorities removed the animals from the Poonam Estate Cluster 1 society compound. Security has been stepped up in the area as the situation remained volatile through Monday and Tuesday. Authorities said the Kashimira Police are probing the matter and monitoring the situation closely to prevent any untoward incident.
According to police, the controversy began on Monday over goats brought into the housing complex for Bakri-Idd celebrations. Residents claimed members of the Muslim community living in the society had constructed a temporary shed for sacrificial animals ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Members of the Hindu community opposed the structure, following which the municipal corporation allegedly demolished the shed after receiving complaints.
However, the Hindu side alleged that some people later attempted to rebuild the structure, triggering fresh arguments and confrontation between the two groups late last night. During the late night unrest, a youth identified as Harsh Singh was allegedly attacked with a blade by an unidentified person. He suffered injuries to his hand, following which a complaint was registered at Kashimira police station.
On Tuesday, workers of several Hindutva outfits gathered outside the main gate of the society. They recited the Hanuman Chalisa and raised slogans, leading to a tense atmosphere for some time. Following this, youths linked to Hindu organisations allegedly chased and assaulted a young man outside the society gate. Those involved in the assault claimed that the victim was associated with individuals accused of attacking people with sharp weapons during Monday evening’s clashes.
Police later intervened and rescued the youth from the crowd. Further escalation came after members of a Hindu outfit allegedly brought a pig near the protest site outside the society. When police attempted to remove the animal, an argument and scuffle reportedly broke out between them and protesters.
Members of Bajrang Dal defended the act, saying, “For the Muslim community, it may be a pig, but for us it is Varaha Dev. We brought it here for a worship ritual. After the worship, our wish was fulfilled..” Civic authorities later shifted 42 goats to a nearby shelter home. Police said the situation was currently under control, though security remains tightened in and around the housing complex.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya visited the society earlier in the day and met residents amid the controversy. Speaking to the media, he said the matter would be investigated if the municipal corporation and police had granted permission to keep goats inside the society premises.
(Manas Dasgupta)