BHOPAL — A religious procession held during Dol Gyaras celebrations in Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur district has drawn criticism after videos appeared to show participants openly carrying and brandishing swords, axes and other bladed weapons.
The procession was held on September 22 in the Mahupura area of Shajapur, where a large number of people gathered to mark Dol Gyaras, also known as Jal Jhulani Ekadashi.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show several participants holding swords and axes above their heads as the procession moved through the area. Others could be seen carrying what appeared to be additional traditional weapons.
The visuals have prompted questions over whether participants had permission to carry or display bladed weapons in public and what restrictions, if any, had been imposed by the local administration or police.
Dol Gyaras is observed by Hindu communities in several parts of India and is traditionally marked by religious ceremonies, devotional activities and processions.
However, the public display of bladed weapons during a large religious gathering raises separate concerns about public safety and maintenance of law and order.
The footage from Mahupura has also sparked criticism on social media, with some users questioning whether similar conduct would receive the same treatment if it occurred during a procession organised by another religious community.
One user on X wrote, “Funny how religious processions with swords and axes get normalised, but when Muslims celebrate peacefully, even that becomes a problem.”
Another user questioned the legal basis for the display of weapons, writing, “Under which law are they openly brandishing swords like this? Action should be taken against all those involved. The law must be equal for everyone.”
The controversy has also raised questions about whether the police or district administration had authorised the carrying of weapons during the procession and whether any action was taken after the videos surfaced.
At the time of publication, no official statement was available from the Shajapur district administration or police regarding the alleged display of weapons. This report will be updated if an official response becomes available.
