Police investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the inflammatory posts and whether there was any organised attempt to instigate communal unrest
AHMEDABAD – A Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader’s provocative social media post calling for teaching Muslims a “lesson” resulted in violence in Bahiyal village in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district late on Friday night.
Several shops and houses, many of them belonging to the minority community, were vandalised and torched after two groups created ruckus and pelted stones at each other, media reports said on Saturday. Nearly 80 people were arrested in connection with the incident.
According to local sources, the unrest began after a post with the message “I Love Muhammad” appeared on social media. In response, VHP leader Hitesh Banker circulated another post saying “I Love Mahadev” and urged followers to make it viral “to teach these ignorant people a lesson.”
The provocative exchange quickly spread across the village and nearby areas through WhatsApp and other media platforms, inflaming communal sentiments.
Groups of youths reportedly gathered on streets, pelting stones and targeting shops belonging to members of the minority community..
A strong police force was rushed to contain the situation. Senior officials confirmed that nearly 100 individuals were identified as suspects, and around 80 have been arrested for rioting, arson, and disturbing public peace.
Authorities have boosted security in Bahiyal and surrounding areas, with police patrolling continuing to prevent further escalation. Community leaders from both sides have appealed for peace, urging residents not to fall prey to provocative social media content.
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the inflammatory posts and whether there was any organised attempt to instigate communal unrest.
