“Bulldozer barbarism”: Demolition drive in Surat after stones thrown at Ganesh pandal

On September 9, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) carried out a demolition drive against the alleged illegal constructions belonging to the accused arrested for allegedly pelting stones over the Ganesh pandal, and others in the Sayedpura Police Chowki area.

On the grounds of “acting on the stone pelting incident that occurred at the Ganesh pandal” ‘Variavi Cha Raja’ in Sayedpura on Sunday, September 8, the Surat police have arrested over 30 people. The unrest was sparked when minors allegedly threw stones at a Ganesh Chaturthi pandal, leading to violent clashes between two groups.

Background

The alleged Surat stone pelting incident occurred on September 8, 2024, in the Sayedpura area of Surat, Gujarat, India. A group of minors allegedly threw stones at a Ganesh Chaturthi pandal, sparking a communal clash between two groups. The incident resulted in property damage, injuries, and arrests. The police intervened, using tear gas and lathis to restore order. Six juveniles were detained for stone-pelting, and around 28 others were arrested for rioting. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for peace and harmony.

Hindu right-wing demands action on pelting incident, situation escalates

A large mob gathered at the Sayedpura police station, chanting slogans and demanding action against the minors involved in the stone pelting. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when an agitated crowd rushed to the spot leading to communal tensions between the two communities. Police said that stones were pelted at each other. Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said that several policemen were injured in the stone pelting and many vehicles were damaged. He said that the police had to resort to baton charge and fire teargas shells to disperse the mob. According to Gehlot, three separate FIRs have been filed, reported The Deccan herald.

“Illegal raids” on Muslim houses and allegation of police brutality

Allegations of police brutality have surfaced in the aftermath of the communal clashes in Surat’s Sayedpura area. In a video surfacing on social media shows police personnel, dressed in civilian clothes and without identification nametags, forcibly raided Muslim homes in the dead of night. The midnight raids have sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the heavy-handed tactics employed by the police.

A video surfacing on X, posted by Gujrat Police shows plainclothes officers smashing gates and locks allegedly to apprehend suspects. In the video, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi is also shown vowing to take strict action and arrest the people over stone pelting allegations before sunrise. The video shows those arrested could not walk properly suggesting that they were subjected to violence in the police custody.

Case registered against juveniles, says Police

According to the Indian Express, an eyewitness said that the pandal organizers and others reached the Saiyedpura police station. Police commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot deployed a large police force as stone-pelting resumed near the station, while unknown persons torched cars and vehicles. Deputy Commissioner Vijaysinh Gurjar also incurred minor injuries. The mob eventually dispersed after the officials assured them of the arrests of the accused, all of which reportedly took place based on CCTV footage and combing the neighbourhood. Lalgate police registered an offence of damage at the Ganesh pandal and of rioting at the police chowki area.

Surat town police commissioner, Anupam Gehlot, stated that all the individuals involved in the unrest would be prosecuted. In affected area round 1,000 officers stationed to maintain peace. While speaking to ANI, Gehlot stated, “On September 8, young boys pelted stones on a pandal from a moving auto rickshaw. They tried to flee after pelleting stones. Police personnel chased and captured them immediately. There were a total of 6 people in the auto, including the driver.”

“The case was also registered against 6 juveniles who pelted stones at the pandal. Sections of BNS were invoked. After detaining the 28 accused, a process is underway to arrest others too. No accused will be spared. We have formed a few teams” the officer added, reported ANI.

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The Minister of State for Home (MoS) Harsh Sanghavi has also written in a post on X that “As I promised, we have caught the stone-pelters before sunrise.” He further said that CCTV, video visuals, drone visuals, and other technical surveillance work is still ongoing and strict action will be taken against all accused.

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Supreme Courts recently rebukes on Arbitrary “Bulldozer action”

In a shocking move, the Surat local administration has deployed bulldozers to demolish homes and properties in Sayedpura area, despite the Supreme Court’s warnings against “bulldozer justice”. The demolition drive targets individuals accused of stone-pelting at a Ganesh Chaturthi pandal, sparking widespread criticism and concerns about targeting a specific community. The move has been condemned as a form of collective punishment, raising serious questions about the rule of law, due process, and human rights in India. The Supreme Court’s warnings have been blatantly ignored, sparking outrage and demands for accountability.

Earlier this month, a bench headed by Justice B R Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan stressed that even unauthorised construction has to be demolished in “accordance with the law,” and state authorities cannot resort to the demolition of the property of the accused as a punishment.

Reportedly, the authorities later clarified that the anti-encroachment drive was not linked to the rioting as it was planned weeks in advance. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) deployed bulldozers in the area to raze illegal concrete and temporary constructions. The municipal body also removed handcarts of street vendors in the area. Surat Deputy Mayor Narendra Patil said that the anti-encroachment drive had been planned some two weeks ago, and was not the outcome of the Sunday’s clash.

However, multiple videos shared on social media, in which people apprised the Surat Local Administration’s decision to demolish illegal encroachments and properties belongs to the accused as a retaliation of stone pelting incident.

Related:

Supreme Court rebukes “Bulldozer Justice,” plans to issue nationwide guidelines to prevent arbitrary demolitions

Gujarat HC orders status quo on Dahod Nagina Masjid demolitions

“Bulldozer Injustice”: Authorities demolished huts and makeshifts in Kutch’s Kandla port area