Tension erupts during RSS route march in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon; police resort to lathi charge

Tensions erupted in Kingaon village in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district during an RSS route march on Dussehra after protests broke out near a mosque on Sunday.

Stone pelting was reported during the incident, prompting police to resort to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The situation is currently under control, reported news agency IANS.

The incident occurred in the Yawal taluka when RSS volunteers passing in front of a mosque faced opposition from local residents. As the situation escalated, police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd, allowing the procession to continue and eventually conclude.

Stone pelting reported during procession

According to several media reports, some men in the area reportedly had women sit on the road to stage a protest as the RSS volunteers passed the mosque. Stone pelting was subsequently reported at some locations, raising tensions in the village.

Police intervened to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Following the incident, a large number of police personnel were deployed in Kingaon as a precautionary measure.

The route march was completed after the crowd dispersed.

Senior officials reach Kingaon

The incident prompted the Jalgaon district administration to step up its response. Superintendent of Police Shrikant Dhivare, Additional Superintendent of Police Sandeep Gavit and other police and administrative officials reached Kingaon to assess the security situation.

Authorities are preparing to take strict action against those allegedly involved in creating a disturbance and engaging in stone pelting. Questions have also been raised over why the police did not anticipate the possibility of unrest during the procession.

Security has since been tightened in the area amid concerns over the prevailing tension.

Maharashtra has witnessed protests and reported attempts at violence during Hindu festivals in several places in the past. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken a firm stance on such incidents and ordered action in these cases.