Birbhum, West Bengal: Police announced on Saturday that following a communal disruption during Holi festivities in Sainthia, Birbhum district, twenty-one people have been detained. The incident took place on Friday evening when a group of young people celebrating with music was reportedly told to cease by members of another community. The disagreement escalated rapidly, resulting in stone-throwing between the two groups. Authorities reported that several people suffered minor injuries and received medical care.
To address the situation, law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the area to restore calm. Officials have confirmed that order has been reestablished.
Internet services suspended
As a safety precaution, the state government has implemented a suspension of internet services in Sainthia town and five nearby panchayat areas linked to the Sainthia police station until March 17. This measure, enacted in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 2023, is intended to uphold public safety and prevent any further provocation of unrest.
The police acted promptly upon learning of the clash, arriving at the location and averting any escalation of tension. Officials have urged the community to remain composed and collaborate with law enforcement as efforts continue to return the area to a state of normalcy.
Communal Clashes in West Bengal: A Recurring and Alarming Trend
West Bengal witnessed similar communal clashes during Ram Navami, a pattern that has been repeating itself annually since 2018. The outbreak of violence this year was neither unexpected nor unprecedented, given that similar incidents occurred last year as well. From Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the general public, there was an air of inevitability about the unrest. Days before the violence erupted, the Chief Minister had forewarned the people about the potential for trouble, yet little seemed to have been done to prevent or swiftly contain the disturbances.
Although the clashes were localised, their repetitive nature raises serious concerns about the growing communal discord in the state. It appears that religion and sectarian tensions have become deeply entrenched in the political landscape of Bengal. Observers note that both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are engaged in what is being described as “competitive communalism”, leveraging religious divisions to further their respective political agendas.
Similar violence erupted on 30 March 2023 in Shibpur, Howrah district—the very location that witnessed clashes during last year’s Ram Navami celebrations. Soon after, disturbances were also reported in Rishra, Hooghly district, and Dalkhola, Uttar Dinajpur district. Video footage circulating on social media showed young men brandishing weapons while participating in the Ram Navami procession, prompting speculation that the violence may have been premeditated.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemns violence
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the violent incidents, stating, “In the name of Ram Navami, they are carrying guns and swords to incite violence. Did Lord Ram instruct them to bear weapons during the rally?” Her remarks were in reference to 19-year-old Sumit Shaw, who was later arrested in Munger, Bihar, for wielding a firearm during the procession. State intelligence sources corroborated Banerjee’s allegations that individuals from outside the state had been brought in to participate in the festivities, adding credibility to concerns about external influence in the unrest.
The recurring nature of such incidents underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address communal tensions in West Bengal. Unless proactive measures are taken, the spectre of religious discord is likely to persist, further destabilising the region and deepening the divide between communities.
