Policemen along the procession remain silent spectators and show no effort to restrain the hooligans
Team Clarion
MUMBAI — A disturbing display of hate speech, the raising of provocative and vulgar slogans and the playing of obscene songs marred a procession here on Monday to mark the Hindu festival of Ram Navami. The vulgarity and hatred towards Muslims have raised fresh concerns over the communalisation of public festivals.
Noted independent journalist Kunal Purohit spent a few hours at the procession near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and put out some details of the displayed rowdyism.
The processionists shouted abusive slogans against Mughal ruler Aurangzeb and played vulgar songs including several lyrics threatening brutal violence against Muslims.
“Every few minutes, a guy would come on and galvanise the crowds with slogans like “Jisko chahiye Afzal Khan, usko bhejo Pakistan,” Aurangzeb ki qabar khudegi, Ma Ch*degi, Ma Ch*degi,” said Purohit.
“The police were present all along. But in the hours, I spent, I saw no effort to restrain (the rowdies),” he added.
Purohit said “The crowd, in thousands, consisted of young men in their 20s and 30s, with some women and some older men. These songs are so widely known that most sang along, dancing to the exact beats. The tempo went up each time a song had explicit targeting of Muslims.”
The procession also had a lookalike of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suggesting their inspiration from him. The man standing at the car door waved enthusiastically playing to the gallery.
Spent a few hours in #RamNavami processions outside Mumbai's International Airport:
— Kunal Purohit (@kunalpurohit) April 7, 2025
*Slogans like 'Aurangzeb Ki Kabr Khudegi, Maa Ch*degi, Maa Ch*degi'.
*Songs with words: Bharat Mein Jo Desh Drohi Hai, Unki Ma Ka Bh*sda.
*Songs that threaten brutal violence against Muslims. pic.twitter.com/3AnpzlTdtQ
The provocative slogans suggesting sexual violence against women have drawn flak on social media with people demanding the arrest of the troublemakers.
“Also a good time to point out threats of sexual violence against women as a way to punish an entire community. @MumbaiPolice you should be arresting these men instead of going after comedians. This is truly the biggest joke,” said journalist Palvi Mittal.
Author Rahul Pandita said: “This is India’s new demographic that has taken Hinduism to a new low. Just close your eyes and remember what the day of Ram Navami meant to you. For me, it meant a wonderful festivity and a shining day of yellow — turmeric rice and Narcissus. These thugs remember Aurangzeb more than Ram.”
This is India’s new demographic that has taken Hinduism to a new low. Just close your eyes and remember what the day of Ram Navami meant to you. For me, it meant a wonderful festivity and a shining day of yellow — turmeric rice and Narcissus.
— Rahul Pandita (@rahulpandita) April 7, 2025
These thugs remember Aurangzeb more… https://t.co/kFQFU0zIBI
Prominent journalist Rana Ayyub said Muslims are not allowed to pray and protest peacefully but Hindutva groups are given a free hand to chant abusive slogans.
“Muslims must not protest peacefully, they must not pray, they will be threatened, jailed at every possible excuse. Right-wingers meanwhile may chant hate slogans on the streets and climb on top of mosques and there will be no law to stop this. Our well-meaning too shall stay quiet,” she said.
Muslims must not protest peacefully, they must not pray, they will be threatened, jailed at every possible excuse. Right wingers meanwhile may chant hate slogans on the streets, climb on top of mosques and there will be no law to stop this. Our well meaning too shall stay quiet https://t.co/UTFCU9KHg5
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) April 7, 2025
