Tensions Rise in Mira Road Over Bakrid Dispute

A conflict over a temporary shed for Bakrid goats in a Thane housing society led to tensions, protests, and police intervention. Vishwa Hindu Parishad members protested, and local leaders voiced concerns. Police maintain control as community leaders call for peace.

A dispute over the alleged construction of a temporary shed and the tying of sacrificial goats ahead of Bakrid triggered tensions at a housing society in Mira Road area of Thane district in Maharashtra, prompting the police to intervene.

The controversy erupted at Srishti Complex in the Poonam Cluster area near Mira Road on Sunday after residents and Hindu organisations objected to the setting up of a shed for sacrificial goats on the housing complex premises, according to local officials.

Following protests, the temporary structure was dismantled, but tensions escalated after members of the Muslim community allegedly gathered in protest, and a complaint was lodged at the Kashimira police station.

Police intervened to pacify both sides, but a scuffle allegedly broke out later in the night, an official said.

The situation escalated on Monday afternoon when protesting residents gathered at the society gates, raised slogans, recited the Hanuman Chalisa and tried to bring a pig inside the complex.

Meanwhile, local sources said Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers reached the complex to protest against the alleged return of goats to the premises, during which a VHP functionary and two others were allegedly attacked with a blade.

Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers across the sensitive pockets of Mira-Bhayander to prevent any untoward incident. The situation is under control, an official said.

Kashimira police station senior inspector Rajendra Kamble told PTI that no case has been registered so far, and police personnel are stationed at the housing complex. He refused to divulge details, citing the sensitive nature of the incident.

Reacting strongly, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday alleged that some Muslim leaders are attempting to turn the Naya Nagar area, which is part of the Mira Road locality, into a ''bastion of Pakistani mindset''.

''Three weeks ago also, in a settlement in Naya Nagar, there was an attempt to kill a watchman in a similar manner. We will never accept forcefully entering Hindu localities, slaughtering goats there and creating fear among Hindu vegetarian and Jain families,'' Somaiya told reporters, referring to a suspected ''lone wolf'' attack by a man on two watchmen in the area.

He said more than half the goats have been removed from the housing society, and the remaining ones will also be shifted.

''People of any religion can perform their religious rituals at designated places. But if somebody uses religious festivals to drive away Hindus, it will not be accepted,'' he added.

Somaiya said the responsibility to provide proper arrangements for sacrificial markets rests with civic bodies.

''If these arrangements are inadequate, they should be expanded, but we won't allow goats to be slaughtered openly in any housing complex, housing society or chawl,'' the former MP said.

Shiv Sena MLA and minister Pratap Sarnaik appealed for peace and blamed ''outsiders'' for the unrest.

''People from all communities have been living here in peace for ages. It is outsiders who come and disturb the situation on such festive occasions,'' Sarnaik told media persons.