Rajasthan News: Stones Thrown at Religious Procession on Jaljhulni Ekadashi, BJP MLA Protests

On Saturday (September 14), communal tensions erupted in the Jejapur area of Shahpura district, Rajasthan, following a stone-pelting incident targeting a religious procession on the occasion of Jaljhulni Ekadashi. The incident resulted in several injuries, including one woman, and led to a significant disturbance in the area. Participants in the procession responded with vigorous protests and chanting against the other side. Upon hearing of the incident, BJP MLA Gopichand Meena arrived at the scene and staged a sit-in protest outside a religious site, demanding the arrest of the perpetrators. MLA Meena stated that he would continue his protest and prevent the town's God’s water procession from taking place until the suspects were identified and apprehended. The incident has heightened tensions in Jejapur, leading to the closure of local markets and the deployment of heavy police forces. By late night, MLA Meena ended his protest. Shahpura District Collector Rajendra Singh Shekhawat and SP Rajesh Kanwat are closely monitoring the situation and have urged residents to ignore rumors and maintain peace. In Jejapur, deities from local temples, including those from the fort, are traditionally paraded to Bevan Bhanwar Kala Talab for Jaljhulni Ekadashi and returned to their temples late at night. During the procession of Peetambar Rai Maharaj from the fort, the procession passed by another community's religious site, which led to the confrontation. Subsequently, citizens closed their markets and demanded the arrest of those responsible for the attack.