Shahnaz M, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow: In the aftermath of the communal violence in Maharajganj, Bahraich district, the narrative surrounding the death of Ram Gopal Mishra is steeped in grief, confusion and conflicting accounts. While the Mishra family’s statements highlight a personal tragedy, they also reveal significant inconsistencies and potential loopholes that complicate the broader understanding of the incident.
Harmilan Mishra, the victim’s brother, claimed that he was present when his brother’s body was retrieved. “I came to know that my brother had been shot, and his body was found at Abdul Hamid’s house.”
However, the claim that his brother was shot at a specific location raises questions, as eyewitnesses and purported videos of the incident have indicated that Ram Gopal was involved in the violence and provocations during the immersion ceremony.
A widely circulated video on social media purportedly captured him climbing onto the terrace of Abdul Hamid’s house in Maharajganj. In the footage, he can be seen shaking the iron railing until it breaks, then tearing down a green flag — a common symbol of Islamic identity — and replacing it with a saffron flag, a color often associated with right-wing Hindu groups.
Moments after he hoisted the saffron flag, a bullet struck him in the chest, causing his body to collapse onto the terrace. Villagers and Mishra’s relatives assert that he succumbed to his injuries on the spot. However, Mishra’s wife contends that he might have survived had the police responded more swiftly and taken him to the hospital. The autopsy later confirmed that he died from shock and hemorrhage resulting from the gunshot wound.
Several eyewitnesses also reported that he removed an Islamic flag and replaced it with a saffron one just moment before the shooting, suggesting a direct provocation that may have led to the violence.
Ram Gopal’s cousin echoed his brother’s sentiments. “The police did not help at that time and they lathi charged.” While the police’s response has been criticised, it is crucial to consider that tensions were already high, and the police may have acted to control a rapidly escalating situation. Eyewitnesses describe a chaotic scene, where “provocative” and “derogatory” songs were played. It incited anger among the Muslim community, they said.
Adding to the complexity, a local temple priest, Dinesh Mishra, recalled, “I was with them when the idol’s hand broke, and then the police charged at us.” His account indicates a moment of heightened tension, suggesting that Ram Gopal’s actions, coupled with the police response, contributed to the volatile atmosphere. The assertion that the police acted indiscriminately overlooks the context of the crowd’s provocations.
Ram Gopal’s sister’s comments about the video footage of the shooting being circulated also raise questions. “They (Muslims) filmed his murder and made it viral,” she said, yet there is no verification of this footage’s authenticity or the circumstances surrounding its release. In a highly charged environment, such claims can easily be manipulated or misrepresented.
Meanwhile, a neighbor provided a contrasting perspective, suggesting that the incident stemmed from longstanding enmities rather than communal tensions. “There was a very good Hindu-Muslim unity in our village,” he remarked, indicating that personal conflicts might have played a role in the violence. This statement challenges the narrative of communal discord, hinting at deeper, more complex underlying issues.
The eyewitness accounts further complicate the story. One Shehrbano, a local, noted that as the idol procession moved forward, songs with offensive lyrics were played, which provoked the crowd.
Another eyewitness mentioned that Ram Gopal’s actions — removing an Islamic flag — were a direct catalyst for the violence. This raises critical questions about accountability: was Ram Gopal’s provocation justified in the context of the festival or did it contribute to his own demise?
As violence erupted during the procession, journalist Ramban Chaudhary, injured while covering the events, observed how anger transformed the crowd. “The identification of individuals based on their religious markers created a volatile environment,” he said. His experience reflects a larger narrative of fear and mistrust that permeates the community.
The political ramifications are also significant, with BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh filing a case against several individuals, including members of his own party. His claims of mob aggression underscore the chaotic atmosphere following Ram Gopal’s death. They also reflect an attempt to shift blame amidst a politically charged environment.
As the investigation unfolds, the intricacies of the events in Bahraich reveal a multifaceted issue that extends beyond a simple narrative of communal violence. The Mishra family’s grief is palpable, yet it is entwined with actions that invite scrutiny. The community stands at a crossroads, grappling with the need for justice while navigating the complexities of identity, rivalry and the very fabric of social relations in Bahraich.
The quest for truth in this tragic incident is far from straightforward, requiring careful examination of all perspectives and an acknowledgment of the underlying tensions that led to such devastating outcomes.
Meanwhile, the police have identified and arrested two more absconding suspects using video footage. Following this, the total number of arrests from both sides has risen to 115. The police are conducting a scientific analysis of over a thousand video footages collected during the violence. A control room has been set up to facilitate the examination of these videos.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Vrinda Shukla announced on Sunday evening that two named accused, Maroof and Nankau, who were absconding in the Ram Gopal Mishra murder case since October 13, were arrested by the police on Sunday.
Additionally, two individuals named Sushil Dwivedi and Mannu, identified from the video footage related to incidents of arson and looting on October 14, have also been arrested. A total of 115 arrests have been made so far in connection with the communal violence on October 13 and 14.
The SP stated, “To gather necessary evidence and facilitate further legal action related to the incidents that began on October 13 and 14 in the town of Maharajganj under the Hardi police station and spread to other areas of the district, an eleven-member ‘special team’ has been formed, and a control room has been set up in the police lines to collect as much video and other evidence as possible from media personnel and local residents.”
SP Shukla has taken significant action, suspending 14 police personnel stationed at Hardi police station and 15 from Ramgaon. This has caused a stir within the police department. Following the exposure of negligence, CO Rupendra Gaud, Station House Officer Suresh Kumar Verma and Outpost In-Charge Shiv Sagar Saroj from Mahasi have already been suspended.
Disciplinary action has also been taken against the Tehsildar in this case. Now, the SP has taken action against 29 police personnel for negligence during duty, all of whom have been sent to police line. Among those affected, 14 were stationed at Hardi police station, while 13 were assigned to Ramgaon police station.