In Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, which entities are targeting the temples? Who aims to disrupt the atmosphere of peace? These questions are on the minds of the general public as well as officials, yet no one seems to have answers.
The most affected area appears to be the newly formed Shahpura district, where provocative incidents are occurring every other day. There have been more than half a dozen incidents of defiling idols and dumping waste at religious sites in Shahpura alone.
Whenever the police manage to control one situation, another emerges. In Shahpura, where communal tensions are rising, even elected representatives are openly questioning the actions of the police and administration.
The first incident occurred on August 26, just a day before Janmashtami, when remains of cow were found at the Hanuman temple on Gandhi Sagar Talab Road in Bhilwara, sparking outrage.
Since then, sometimes sporadic and sometimes major incidents have been coming to light. The latest case involves vandalism at the Shani Maharaj temple on Kotdi-Jahazpur Road.
Throughout this sequence of events, the police manage one situation, only to have another incident arise simultaneously.
The unrest in Shahpura district, carved out from Bhilwara, began on September 18 when remains of a dead animal were found at a Ganesh pandal.
Following this, the local market shut down, and BJP leaders, along with Nagar Parishad Chairman Raghunandan Soni, staged a protest.
In a hurried attempt to resolve the situation, the administration released CCTV footage blaming a dog for the incident.
However, the case took a turn when some local youths presented another CCTV clip showing a married woman throwing a suspicious object.