Reports state that violence rose during the Holi procession while it navigated through a narrow street adjacent to Ghorthambha Chowk. A dispute between members of two different communities on the spot soon turned violent. The violence lasted for almost an hour. Upon receiving information about the violence, district headquarters officials arrived at the location and helped quell the clashes.
A video by news agency ANI shows the aftermath of the clashes, with several vehicles and shops charred. No major injuries were reported, as per local police.
#WATCH | Jharkhand: Vehicles torched after a scuffle broke out between two communities during Holi celebration in the Ghorthamba area (14/03) pic.twitter.com/Ao1Sn2WBGh
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025
The authorities are still probing the exact cause of the dispute. Deputy Development Commissioner Smita Kumari has blamed ‘anti-social elements’ for the violence.
“The situation is completely under control. The persons involved in the incident are being identified, and a search is on to nab them. Stern action will be taken against them,” Giridih SP Bimal Kumar said. He added that all efforts were being made to trace every individual involved in the violence.
The incident has led to a political battle, with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders blaming the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government for the incident. In a post on X, Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand BJP chief and Leader of Opposition, said that the responsibility for the violence lies with the Hemant Soren government.
“The tragic incident of stone pelting and arson on a Holi procession in Ghorthamba of Giridih is the result of politics of appeasement of the Hemant Soren government, and the failure of the administrative system,” he said.
गिरिडीह के घोड़थंबा में होली जुलूस पर पथराव और आगजनी की दुखद घटना हेमंत सरकार के तुष्टिकरण की राजनीति और प्रशासनिक तंत्र की विफलता का परिणाम है। हिंदुओं के पर्व त्योहारों पर हिंसा करना नया ट्रेंड बन गया है और इसे बढ़ावा दे रही है घुसपैठियों की संरक्षक झामुमो कांग्रेस की सरकार।…
— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) March 15, 2025
BJP MP Deepak Prakash also slammed the state government. In a statement to ANI, he claimed that the JMM was playing appeasement politics. He warned the party of consequences if the situation continued and said that the BJP would not hesitate to launch a struggle against the state authorities on the matter.
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A large number of police personnel have been deployed in Giridih to maintain peace in the region.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
