Hindu holidays, which have long been seen as symbols of India's cultural diversity, are becoming more and more disrupted. The most recent incidence was on january 12th when pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj's Mahakumbh on the Tapti-Ganga Express were stone-pelted close to Jalgaon, Maharashtra.
A worrying trend of intolerance and targeted violence is indicated by this incident as well as an increase in animosity against Hindu holidays.
The Tapti-Ganga Express stone-pelting incident puts pilgrims in danger.
The attack on the Tapti-Ganga Express highlights a concerning pattern. Pilgrims were attacked on their way to the Mahakumbh, a religiously significant occasion. Videos on social media, such as this widely shared footage, show the passengers' horrifying experience. They urged municipal officials, the railway minister, and the prime minister to improve security for pilgrimage trains.
According to one traveler, "stones struck our carriage on the first train headed for the Mahakumbh's royal spa. We may have suffered severe injuries if the windows had broken farther. We require security right away.
This isn't an isolated incident. Similar attacks were carried out in 2024 on trains heading to Ayodhya, frequently close to unapproved communities where railroad tracks ran.
Targeted aggressiveness patterns: a persistent nightmare
The Mahakumbh event brings to mind the Godhra train disaster in 2002, in which 59 Karsevaks perished while returning from Ayodhya. These assaults appear to be a part of a planned effort to sabotage Hindu religious gatherings. The trend is evident, ranging from violence at the Brijmandal yatra in Nuh, Haryana, to stone-throwing during processions for ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, and Durga Puja.
The growing ferocity of such attacks was seen in october 2024 when a young man in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, was slain for participating in a Hindu parade.
Politics of appeasement
The rise in these attacks raises concerns about how well administrative and political measures are working. By limiting Hindu holidays, state governments have come under fire for allegedly engaging in vote-bank politics. In order to avoid conflict with Muharram, West bengal limited durga puja immersions in 2022, a move perceived as fostering disruptive forces.
At risk to national security: the threat of incursion
Illegal encroachments close to railroad tracks, which are frequently associated with certain groups, increase security issues and serve as hubs for antisocial activity. Removing these encroachments as soon as possible is essential to preserving both communal harmony and national infrastructure.
Cultural heritage protection: maha Kumbh 2025
Millions of people go from all over the world to see the maha Kumbh, a symbol of spiritual oneness and patriotism. An attempt to undermine India's social and cultural unity is seen in attacks on its pilgrims. These are assaults not only on individuals but also on the nation's secular culture and cohesiveness.
A worrying trend of intolerance and targeted violence is indicated by this incident as well as an increase in animosity against Hindu holidays.
The Tapti-Ganga Express stone-pelting incident puts pilgrims in danger.
The attack on the Tapti-Ganga Express highlights a concerning pattern. Pilgrims were attacked on their way to the Mahakumbh, a religiously significant occasion. Videos on social media, such as this widely shared footage, show the passengers' horrifying experience. They urged municipal officials, the railway minister, and the prime minister to improve security for pilgrimage trains.
According to one traveler, "stones struck our carriage on the first train headed for the Mahakumbh's royal spa. We may have suffered severe injuries if the windows had broken farther. We require security right away.
This isn't an isolated incident. Similar attacks were carried out in 2024 on trains heading to Ayodhya, frequently close to unapproved communities where railroad tracks ran.
Targeted aggressiveness patterns: a persistent nightmare
The Mahakumbh event brings to mind the Godhra train disaster in 2002, in which 59 Karsevaks perished while returning from Ayodhya. These assaults appear to be a part of a planned effort to sabotage Hindu religious gatherings. The trend is evident, ranging from violence at the Brijmandal yatra in Nuh, Haryana, to stone-throwing during processions for ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, and Durga Puja.
The growing ferocity of such attacks was seen in october 2024 when a young man in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, was slain for participating in a Hindu parade.
Politics of appeasement
The rise in these attacks raises concerns about how well administrative and political measures are working. By limiting Hindu holidays, state governments have come under fire for allegedly engaging in vote-bank politics. In order to avoid conflict with Muharram, West bengal limited durga puja immersions in 2022, a move perceived as fostering disruptive forces.
At risk to national security: the threat of incursion
Illegal encroachments close to railroad tracks, which are frequently associated with certain groups, increase security issues and serve as hubs for antisocial activity. Removing these encroachments as soon as possible is essential to preserving both communal harmony and national infrastructure.
Cultural heritage protection: maha Kumbh 2025
Millions of people go from all over the world to see the maha Kumbh, a symbol of spiritual oneness and patriotism. An attempt to undermine India's social and cultural unity is seen in attacks on its pilgrims. These are assaults not only on individuals but also on the nation's secular culture and cohesiveness.
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