An online outcry erupted after a mob of Hindutva followers in Maharashtra attempted to forcefully enter the gates of a Ratnagiri mosque while celebrating Shimga festival, observed a day or two before Holi in the Konkan belt of India.
On Thursday, March 13, a video emerged on social media platforms where scores of people from Ratnagiri district celebrated Shimga festival. Amidst the celebration, the unruly crowd used a large wooden device to forcefully enter the gates of Jama Masjid located in Rajapur.
The event took place on March 12. Fortunately, a major communal incident was averted after the mosque authorities closed the gates and held firm. Local reports suggest that one person was injured.
The attempt is repeated three times in the video with all participants celebrating and dancing.
A few police personnel seen in the video take no action as the mob attempts to enter the mosque, smashing the gates with the large wooden device. No official statement has been issued yet.
Holi is the festival of colours celebrated with communal harmony for years in India. While northern India celebrates Holika dahan (the burning of the demoness Holika), Shimga is celebrated in Maharashtra and Goa, where old wood and unwanted items are burnt, symbolizing the cleansing of negativity.
Netizens call for action against Ratnagiri mosque attack
After the video went viral, many netizens took to social media platforms to express their dismay and frustration over religion being used to incite communal disharmony.
One X user said, “All of this happened during the holy month of Ramadan when our brothers were peacefully praying inside the mosque. Please pray for the safety of our brothers & sisters in the vicinity.”
Another X user said, “It is impossible in this total hypocrisy although it could be made possible only in democracy. Which is almost finished from where we get impartial justice. (Very) shame on such anti-social fringe elements insulting the whole Sanatan religion, the symbol of love, mercy and harmony.”
On Reddit, users expressed concern over the growing communal hatred in India. One Reddit user said, “I am born and brought up in Ratnagiri and we literally never had communal tensions there as far as I know. It was like a sweet spot, unlike the rest of Maharashtra where we just lived with mutual respect and now I see this. Thank you politicians for ruining my hometown.”
Another Reddit user claimed that Maharashtra was slowly turning into Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
