Protests erupt in Surat following stone-pelting incident on Ganesh pandal

All six people who were involved in stone pelting, along with 27 others who encouraged the incident, have been arrested by the police, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said.

Protests broke out in Surat, Gujarat, after reports surfaced of stone-pelting on a Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area on Sunday evening.

According to local authorities, a group of individuals hurled stones at the pandal, igniting tensions in the area.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi confirmed that six individuals involved in the incident, along with 27 others who encouraged the attack, have been arrested.

Heavy Police Deployment in Response to Rising Tensions

In response to the incident, around 1,000 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the affected area. Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot stated that a clash broke out after a few children pelted stones at the Ganesh pandal.

The police swiftly intervened, apprehending the children involved. “Lathi charges were carried out where necessary, and tear gas was used to disperse crowds,” Gehlot said, emphasizing that authorities were working to ensure peace.

Assurance from Gujarat Home Minister

Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited the site of the disturbance and reassured the public that strong action would be taken against those responsible.

He confirmed that the six individuals directly involved in the stone-pelting had been arrested, along with 27 others who played a role in instigating the violence.

“The investigation is ongoing, and police are actively patrolling the streets of Surat. Those who disturb the peace will face legal consequences,” Sanghvi said.

Stone-Pelting at Ganesh Procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam

A similar incident of stone-pelting occurred in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, during a Ganesh procession on Saturday night. The incident took place in the Mochipura area when an unidentified person threw a stone at the procession carrying the idol for installation.

The Superintendent of Police, Rahul Kumar Lodha, reported that nearly 500 people gathered outside the Station Road police station, demanding action against the attacker. Heavy security was deployed throughout the city, and police have registered a case to investigate the matter.

Both incidents have raised concerns about public safety during religious festivities, prompting swift responses from law enforcement.