Bengal's Birbhum witnesses violent clashes over Holi; internet suspended, heavy security deployed

The heated verbal exchanges took place followed by a clash between a group and some intoxicated individuals in Sainthia town on Friday.

The two groups even hurled stones at each other intensifying the situation, which was controlled by police with lathicharge.

Cops have detained 20 people in connection with the incident.

There was no arson, police said.

A massive contingent of security forces has been deployed to manage the law and order.

The internet services have been suspended in five gram panchayat areas of Sainthia till March 17 to prevent the spread of misinformation.

The affected areas are Hatora, Mathpalsa, Harisara, Fariyapur and Fulur.

The incident has armed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to sharpen its minority appeasement accusation against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya says in an X post, "Hindus were attacked in Birbhum for celebrating Holi! Under Mamata Banerjee’s rule, West Bengal is increasingly resembling Bangladesh."

"Yesterday, during the grand celebration of Dol Purnima and Holi in Anaipur village, under Kirnahar police station in the Nanur Assembly constituency, a violent attack took place. The attack was led by a local Trinamool Panchayat member, where Muslims targeted Hindus for chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and even questioned, “How dare you raise this slogan?” (as heard in the video).

"Shockingly, despite the presence of police, the attacks escalated, and instead of preventing the violence, law enforcement reportedly shielded the attackers. Videos from the incident show Hindus claiming they were assaulted while the police stood by."

Mamata govt's 'Holi ban' stirs row

Prior to the clash, the TMC government had come under fire after several posters were spotted in Shantiniketan, which also falls in Birbhum, urging people not to play Holi at the popular marketplace Sonajhuri Haat to prevent damage to the greenery.

"The curb on Holi has been instructed because a separate community is observing a holy month. The festival has been curbed as Holi is celebrated on Friday this year. This is unprecedented in West Bengal," Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had said.

"Mamata Banerjee's police and administration are playing divisive and appeasement politics," the BJP strongman had added.

Facing the heat, the government had issued a clarification stating it was not a diktat but a request.

West Bengal Minister of State for Forest Birbaha Hansda told ANI, "We have not banned Holi (in Santiniketan); we had requested the people to secure the environment.

"When people play Holi - it contains chemicals that may harm trees... I would request all those who are doing politics over the issue, the situation of every place is different..."