Hindu groups disrupt Christmas celebrations in Rajasthan

Christmas celebrations were disrupted by a mob in Pratapgarh district of the BJP-ruled Rajasthan. The mob, said to be consisting of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) members, vandalised stalls and asked the organisers to stop the music.

 

Masih shakti Samiti, the organisers of the two-day event, said the programme was called off after the mob threatened vendors and participants. Kalu Ram Meena, organiser of the fair, told DH: "Every year, we conduct celebrations during Christmas time, where we play carols and songs. On Tuesday night, a group of 5-8 people vandalised the stalls and asked us to vacate the place. The mob claimed to be members of VHP and asked us to maintain distance from Christianity."

 

The event was being held on the lawns of the community centre of a housing society at Pratapgarh.  

 

"They abused women and children at the fair, forcing them to leave. We informed police who took two persons to station," said Kalu Ram Meena.  

 

Police claimed that the organisers had not sought proper permission to conduct the event. Pratapgarh SP Shivraj Meena said, "When police reached the spot, two groups were arguing with each other. On the basis of their complaint, we picked up two persons who were later released after primary investigation."

 

Pratapgarh is a tribal district of Rajasthan which was in news earlier this year after a CPIML activist was reportedly beaten to death by civic officials after he raised objection to women being photographed as part of an open defecation-free (ODF) mission.