Ajay Kumar at 07:09, 24 August 2023

2023-08-24T07:09:27Z

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{{Short description|Religiously motivated violence in India}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Violence against Muslims in independent India}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| partof = [[Religious violence in India]], [[Violence against Muslims in India]]
| title = 2018 Bihar riots
| image =
| caption =
| date = {{{time-begin|17 March 2018}}} - {{{time-end|30 March 2018}}}
| location = [[Bihar]], India: • [[Bhagalpur]] • [[Aurangabad]] • [[Siwan District|Siwan]] • [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] • [[Nalanda district|Nalanda]] • [[Kaimur District|Kaimur]] • [[Samastipur district|Samastipur]] • [[Munger District|Munger]] • [[Nawada]]
| coordinates =
| motive = Series of communal incidents in the wake of [[Rama Navami]]<ref name="statesman1"/><ref name="news18n1">{{cite news|language=en |title=A fortnight of riots timeline in Bihar Violence|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/a-fortnight-of-riots-timeline-bihar-violence-1703919.html|access-date=31 May 2020|publisher=[[News18]]|date=25 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="indexp1"/>
| status =
| type = Communal disharmony, Anti-Muslim [[pogrom]]<ref name="statesman1"/>
| result =
| weapons = Stone pelting, gun shots and attacks using swords<ref name="statesman1"/>
| injuries = 65 (estimated)
| numparts = 300 (estimated, people arrested linked with riots)
}}
'''2018 Bihar riots''' refer to [[Violence against Muslims in India|anti-Muslim riot]]s<ref name="news18n1"/><ref name="newsclick1">{{cite news |last=Anwar |first=Tarique |title=Bihar: Islamophobic Slogans, Aggressive Posturing Led to Communal Clashes in 7 Districts |work=NewsClick |date=29 March 2018 |url=https://www.newsclick.in/bihar-islamophobic-slogans-aggressive-posturing-led-communal-clashes-7-districts |access-date=4 June 2020 }}</ref> during March 2018 in the Indian state of [[Bihar]].<ref name="statesman1">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Nadeem |last2=Tandon |first2=Tandon |last3=Banna |first3=Hasnul |last4=Anwar |first4=Tarique |last5=Kissu |first5=Sagrika |last6=Alam |first6=Mahtab |last7=Shakeb |first7=Farrah |title=BJP, Bajrang Dal blamed for communal violence in Bihar |newspaper=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |location=[[Bihar]] |language=en |date=10 April 2018 |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/bjp-bajrang-dal-blamed-communal-violence-bihar-1502619866.html/ |access-date=31 May 2020 }}</ref>

The riots were initially started on 17 March 2018 in [[Bhagalpur]] where a procession during the Hindu festival of [[Rama Navami]] led by Arijit Shashwat (son of [[Ashwini Kumar Choubey]]) turned violent and clashes started between Hindus and Muslims.<ref name="indiatoday1"/> On 25 March 2018, police had controlled the riot. But some unidentified people vandalised a [[Hanuman]] idol in a temple in [[Nawada]] and violence broke out again affecting the [[Siwan District|Siwan]], [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Kaimur district|Kaimur]], [[Samastipur]], [[Munger]], [[Aurangabad]], [[Nalanda]], [[Haiderganj]] and [[Rosera]] districts.<ref name="statesman1"/><ref name="indiatoday2">{{cite news |last=K Dutta |first=Prabhash |title=Bihar communal clashes: How rioters ran amok in district after district for 2 weeks |newspaper=[[India Today]] |date=31 March 2018 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihar-communal-clashes-how-rioters-ran-amok-in-district-after-district-in-2-weeks-1201874-2018-03-31 |access-date=4 June 2020 }}</ref> The violence also effected Asansol-Raniganj area in [[West Bengal]].<ref name="indiatoday2"/>

According to a report by ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'', "People, especially youth riding hundreds of motor bikes, take out rallies, brandish swords and other weapons and play highly objectionable songs. Violating the terms and conditions, they try to enter Muslim-majority areas which is objected to by the local Muslim populations. As a result, stone pelting starts and then shops and other properties belonging to a particular community are set on fire."<ref name="statesman1"/>
The [[Bihar Police]] and intelligence departments stated that outsiders were involved in planning and executing communal riots in Bihar.<ref name="news18a">{{cite news |last=Gunjan |first=Rounak Kumar |title=Truth of Bihar riots |publisher=[[News18]] |url=https://www.news18.com/news/immersive/truth-of-bihar-riots.html |access-date=31 May 2020 }}</ref>

==Timeline of Riots==
===March 17, Bhagalpur===
On 17 March 2018, there was an occasion of Ram Navmi after one week. The clashes started in the Bihar when Nathnagar area turned violent where an authorized procession was taken out by BJP, Bajrang Dal and RSS activist. The court issued an arrest warrant against Shashwat and eight others.<ref name="news18n1"/> Arijit Shashwat<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Aman |title=MBA from Australia to alleged riot instigator: Bihar's Arijit Shashwat |language=en |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=1 April 2018 |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mba-from-australia-to-alleged-riot-instigator-bihars-arijit-shashwat/articleshow/63570029.cms |access-date=5 June 2020 }}</ref> is son of Ex Union minister [[Ashwini Kumar Choubey]].<ref name="indexp1">{{cite news |last=Das |first=Anand ST |title=Bhagalpur to Sheikhpura: Timeline of communal clashes in Bihar in March |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=29 March 2018 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/mar/29/bhagalpur-to-sheikhpura-timeline-of-communal-clashes-in-bihar-in-march-1794381.amp |access-date=4 June 2020 }}</ref>

===March 24, Siwan===
On 24 March 2018, when Ram Navmi procession was stopped by some people, clashes occurred between two communities at Hassanpura.<ref name="indexp1"/> According to NewsClick report, the procession was passing through an already permitted route and when they start raising provocative slogans targeting a specific community and displayed weapons publicly—for which they were stopped.<ref name="newsclick1"/> Both sides started stone-pelting and three vehicles were burnt. Six person were arrested in this connection.<ref name="news18n1"/><ref name="indexp1"/>

===March 25, Aurangabad===
On 25 March 2018, Aurangabad reported the communal clashes in which stone pelting incidents occurred during Ram Navmi procession. 122 people arrested linked with clashes in two days. 25 people injured and 50 shops vandalised.<ref name="news18n1"/> Ram Navmi procession was taken out by Hindu Akhadas which turned into violent mob.<ref name="fp1">{{cite news |last=Prasad |first=Ganesh |title=Aurangabad violence: Curfew imposed in Bihar district as administration sleeps over flaring communal tensions |newspaper=[[Firstpost]] |date=27 March 2018 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/aurangabad-violence-curfew-imposed-in-bihar-district-as-administration-sleeps-over-flaring-communal-tensions-4407459.html |access-date=4 June 2020 }}</ref> Authorities imposed Curfew and internet was snapped to maintain law and order situation.<ref name="indexp1"/>

===March 27, Samastipur===
On 27 March 2018, Clashes hit between Hindus and Muslims in the Rosera area, where a mosque was vandalised and people from the Hindus side forcibly hoisted a saffron flag on the top of the minaret of the mosque. One day before this incident, someone had thrown a slipper at a Ram Navmi procession. However, police didn't verify who thrown it. Ten people including a police officer injured and three vehicles were set on fire. After the incident curfew was imposed and three people were arrested for inciting violence.<ref name="news18n1"/><ref name="indexp1"/>

===March 27, Munger===
On 27 March 2018, during the immersion procession of Chaiti Durga, some people played controversial songs<ref name="newsclick1"/>) and chanted inflammatory slogans against the Muslim community. In reaction, the Muslim community protested and suddenly clashes erupted between Hindus and Muslims there. Stone pelting incidents were reported and also some people from both sides fired shots with weapons. In these clashes property and vehicles were set on fire.<ref name="news18n1"/><ref name="indexp1"/>

===March 28, Silao (Nalanda)===
On March 28, 2018, when the Ram Navmi procession route was changed from a Muslim dominated area and Muslims objected to it as the people in the procession were with swords and knives. Over the dispute of this route, clashes erupted and heavy stone-pelting were reported. The police resorted with force and when the mobs violate law and order, the police fired tear gas shells to quell the mobs. A Policeman along with 20 others injured during clashes. Police arrested fourteen people in connection to inciting violence.<ref name="news18n1"/><ref name="indexp1"/> According to reports, police made several arrests in which Dhiraj Kumar who was known as a Bajrang Dal convener of Silao, Nalanda was also arrested in connection with Nalanda and Nawada riots.<ref name="news18a"/>

===March 28, Sheikhpura===
On 28 March 2018, when the participants of Ram Navmi procession in Sheikhpura demanded to use a route other than permitted one in the Girhinda area, the police rejected the demand and heavy clashes erupted between participants with police. Police resorted [[lathicharge]]{{efn| name=lathicharge}} on rioters and lodged an FIR.<ref name="news18n1"/> Police started identifying troublemakers who were involved.<ref name="indexp1"/>

===March 30, Nawada===
On 30 March 2018, some Muslims vandalised a [[Hanuman]] idol in a [[temple]]<ref name="statesman1"/> and when local people got news about vandalism, they gathered and the private vehicles, public transport vehicles, and shops were gutted. According to [[News18]], Internet services suspended and more police force were deployed in the area.<ref name="news18n1"/> A mob went to [[National Highway 31]] and hurdled stone on the vehicles and numbers of vehicles were damaged. Also, a hotel near the National Highway was set on fire. When the mob started manhandling the local journalists, the police fired 10 rounds in the air to quell the mob.<ref name="indiatoday1">{{cite news |title=Fresh communal flare-up in Bihar, rioters go on rampage in Nawada |newspaper=[[India Today]] |date=30 March 2018 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fresh-communal-flare-up-in-bihar-rioters-go-on-rampage-in-nawada-1201505-2018-03-30 |access-date=4 June 2020 }}</ref> According to reports, police made several arrests in which Dhiraj Kumar who was known as a Bajrang Dal convener of Silao, Nalanda was also arrested in connection with Nalanda and Nawada riots.<ref name="news18a"/>

==Reactions==
[[Nitish Kumar]] who was elected as [[Chief Minister of Bihar]] since 2017, reacted on the Communal clashes reported in Bihar's different districts. According to [[NDTV]] report, he said there was an effort to divide people which had led to tensions across the country, a situation that had been made much worse by indiscreet statements by leaders. He also said that divisive politics will not continue for a long period of time. He also said that divisive politics would make the situation worse in the whole country.<ref name="ndtv99">{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Manish |title="Didn't Let Clashes Turn Into Riots": Nitish Kumar On Bihar Violence |work=[[NDTV]] |date=12 April 2018 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-on-bihar-violence-didnt-let-clashes-turn-into-riots-1836335 |access-date=5 June 2020 }}</ref>

[[Nitish Kumar|Kumar]] who breaks alliance with [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] after Yadav's son [[Tejashwi Yadav]] was named in a [[corruption]] case in 2017. He said that he had not compromised with corruption and should not compromise with communalism either. In fact, Kumar aimed this message to BJP, whom he partnered to form the government in 2017. After Kumar's message on communalism, the state's BJP leaders continued to make statements against Kumar that he did not make his job of keeping peace and harmony and the BJP's Arijit Shashwat refused to [[surrender (law)|surrender]]. And Kumar's government finally agreed to let 36-years old Shashwat to move the court for [[anticipatory bail]]. After lot of arguments, the judge rejected the bail and Shashwat was arrested some hours later and sent to Jail.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Manish |title="Don't Expect Me To...": Nitish Kumar's Sharp Message To BJP After Bihar Violence= |work=[[NDTV]] |date=5 April 2018 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-sharp-message-to-bjp-after-bihar-violence-dont-expect-me-to-compromise-1833360 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notes
| notes =
{{efn
| name=lathicharge
| The term '''lathi charge''' is used on the [[Media of India|Indian media]] more commonly than "baton charge".<ref>{{cite news |title=Police lathi charge protesters |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Agitation-against-minors-death-police-lathicharge-protesters/articleshow/6222688.cms |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref>
}}
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2010s in Bihar]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]
[[Category:2018 riots]]
[[Category:2018 crimes in India]]
[[Category:March 2018 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:Crime in Bihar]]
[[Category:Religious riots]]
[[Category:Violence in India]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Anti-Muslim violence in India]]
[[Category:Persecution by Hindus]]

2018 Bihar riots - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 07:09, 24 August 2023