Bulldozer Action Begins in Surat Following Stone-Pelting Incident at Ganesh Puja Pandal

Surat, Gujarat — In response to a recent stone-pelting incident during a Ganesh Puja celebration in Surat, the local administration has initiated a crackdown on illegal encroachments linked to those arrested in connection with the attack. The incident, which took place on September 7 and 8 in the Lal Gate area of Surat, saw stones being thrown at a Ganeshotsav pandal, reportedly by minors from the Muslim community. This sparked protests from the Hindu community, demanding swift and strict action.

Following public outcry, including demands for "bulldozer action" similar to measures taken in Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the local authorities began to demolish illegal properties of the accused in the Sayedpura area of Surat. Videos of bulldozers razing structures quickly circulated on social media, with many praising Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi for his swift response.

Background of the Incident

The stone-pelting at the Ganeshotsav pandal in Variyali Bazar, part of the Lal Gate area, led to significant unrest among the Hindu community. As tensions escalated, hundreds of people gathered at the local police station, raising slogans and demanding severe administrative action. The police acted promptly, making 27 arrests related to the incident and increasing security measures in the area to restore peace.

Reports suggest that when police arrived to investigate the initial stone-pelting, they were met with further resistance, with stones being thrown at them from a nearby Muslim-majority area. Local Hindu organizations also alleged that the stone-pelting originated from mosques in the vicinity.

Swift Response from Authorities

Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi quickly addressed the situation, ensuring that those responsible were apprehended. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Sanghvi stated, “As I promised, we have caught the stone-pelters before sunrise! 27 stone pelters were arrested. Our teams worked throughout the night using CCTV, drone footage, and other surveillance to identify the culprits."

Sanghvi's commitment to taking strict action against the accused has been widely acknowledged, and the bulldozer action in Sayedpura has further solidified the administration's approach to dealing with the incident. While the demolition of illegal properties continues, peace has otherwise been restored in the area.

The swift response by law enforcement and the subsequent actions taken by the administration have helped to calm tensions, with many local residents hopeful that such incidents will not recur in the future.