Minor communal tensions were reported from two places in Bihar during the Mahiviri Akhada procession on Monday, August 21, which was contained in time. The incidents were reported from East and West Champaran districts. An initial inquiry by CPI-ML has alleged that BJP leaders and RSS workers were involved in the violence and they are doing this to create communal polarisation for the upcoming general election in 2024.
According to media reports, objections were raised at a religious place over sloganeering of Mahaviri
Akhada procession at Ratmala village under Bagaha town police station. People present in the procession
took an unspecified root and became violent. After that bricks and stones were thrown on each other.
People in the procession burnt tyres and blocked the road. Four police persons and a few others
sustained minor injuries. D.M. of West Champaran Dinesh Kumar Rai and senior police officials reached
the spot and controlled the situation.
In a separate incident at Pipra village under Darpa police station of East Champaran, there was
brickbats as provocative sloganeering during the Mahaviri Akhada procession at a religious place was
opposed. Few people are reported to be injured but the exact number is not known. Police from different
stations reached the spot and controlled the situation.
Meanwhile, CPI-ML, Bihar, has alleged that there was a conspiracy to spread communal tension in Bagaha.
Siktat MLA of CPI-ML Virendra Prasad Gupta said that the violence in Bagaha was an attempt to create
communal polarisation in view of the 2024 election. He alleged that role of police and administration
was not up to the mark. He also said that a rumor was spread about the desecration of an idol of
Bajrangbali which was completely false.
Mr. Gupta demanded that strict action be taken against those responsible for the violence. He also
demanded to transfer the officers of questionable roles. He asked for compensation for the loss of
property.