Gujarat: 30 Arrested For Placing Saffron Flag Atop Dargah On Hanuman Jayanti In Verawal

According to a report by news agency PTI, the incident took place at Magrebisha Bapu dargah in Vakhariya Bazar of Verawal town in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath on Saturday. 

Representational Image (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: As the country is facing the communal tensions that have arisen after Ram Navami, followed by Hanuman Jayanti, Gujarat police have arrested as many as 30 persons in relation to a case of placing a saffron flag on top of a dargah. 

According to a report by news agency PTI, the incident took place at Magrebisha Bapu dargah in Vakhariya Bazar of Verawal town in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath on Saturday. 

The arrests were made on Monday as several of those involved had taken videos of the incident on their mobile phones and posted them on social media, Gir Somnath Superintendent of Police Manoharsinh Jadeja told PTI.

"After the videos went viral, people from both communities started gathering on Saturday night. However, police arrived at the site quickly, dispersed the crowd, and took control of the situation. A flag march was also held in sensitive areas in the vicinity," the SP said.

"Two FIRs were registered on Sunday. One under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity between two communities) and section 295A (outraging religious feelings), while the other was under section 188 for taking out a procession without permission," he added.

Based on videos, eight people have been arrested for allegedly putting the flag on top of the dargah, and 22 have been arrested for organising the Hanuman Jayanti procession without permission from the authorities, SP Jadeja said.

Meanwhile, this is not an isolated incident that took place on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on April 15. A clash broke out between two groups in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area as well. While the police have arrested 20 people in relation to the case, an investigation is ongoing. A case has been filed against VHP and Bajrang Dal as well for taking out the procession without permission.