On the auspicious day of April 1, what was supposed to be a peaceful and joyful celebration of the Sarhul festival turned into a horrifying ordeal for the Sarna tribals of Pithauria, a locality near Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. The Sarhul festival, which marks the onset of spring and is deeply sacred to tribal communities, was brutally disrupted when Islamist fundamentalists attacked the tribal devotees with sticks, axes, and guns.

This shocking act of violence left many injured. Some of the wounded were rushed to hospitals for treatment. The tribal community, deeply shaken and angered, responded with a strong protest. On April 3, they blocked the Ranchi-Patratu road, demanding justice for the attack and punishment for the perpetrators.

According to videos that have surfaced, the attackers didn’t just use weapons—they also targeted the dignity of tribal women. The women in these videos allege that they were subjected to molestation and gunfire.

“While going to perform Sarna Puja, they were attacked by the Islamist mob with sticks and were threatened with axes and guns etc. They said that one Razia Khatoon is the mastermind of this attack. At the same time, Asif and Arif tried to tear the blouses and sarees of the women by pulling them.”

The visuals show frightened but determined women recounting the trauma they faced. One young girl, still shaken, showed injury marks on her shoulder and neck, stating that “Razia Khatoon had beaten her. The girl said that during the yatra, Asif/Arif pulled her blouse from behind.”

In another part of the footage, a woman could be heard speaking with trembling concern, explaining how her husband was brutally assaulted during the procession. “Her husband was attacked by the Islamists, due to which he suffered a severe head injury. The woman said that there is a danger of blood clotting in her husband’s head.” With tears in her eyes and her child clinging to her, she asked the haunting question—what would happen to her and her child if her husband doesn't survive?

“She said in a warning tone that if something happens to her husband, she will not spare the attackers.”

This was not a one-off clash with outsiders. The tribal women made it clear that the attackers were not only from their village but also included people from nearby villages. They named several individuals as part of the violent mob: “Apart from Razia Khatoon, Asif Ansari, Arif Ansari, Gulshan Ansari, Gulzar Ansari, Zulfan Ansari etc. were also among the attackers.”

One woman even displayed a bloodied axe and narrated how her nephew was struck with it. Another heart-wrenching detail was the fact that “tribal women who had come out for Sarna Puja included girls as well as elderly women. None of them was spared.”

What hurt them even more was the disrespect shown to their religious symbols. The women recounted how “they had put up flags for Sarna Puja. Razia Khatoon removed those flags and threw them away.” She even made threatening remarks: “You don’t have to go this way. You people (tribals) don’t have to live here anymore.”

As tensions escalated, it became clear that Razia Khatoon wasn't just a passive participant—she was allegedly at the centre of it all. “The women also said that when Islamists were attacking, Razia was giving sticks and weapons to everyone. Another woman said that Razia Khatoon herself was throwing stones at the Sarna tribal people.” Her son, according to the women, was the one who started the fight, sparking chaos during what was supposed to be a spiritual yatra.

Adding to the terror, “Asif Ansari was threatening to shoot everyone by pointing a gun at them.” This statement has stirred major public outrage, especially among tribal activists and civil society members who are now demanding swift police action.

Digging deeper, the victims explained the possible trigger. “This time during Eid, Muslims had tied garlands on the roads. When they were going to Sarna, Muslim flags got stuck in Tribal garlands. After this, the Islamist mob got enraged and attacked them.” Another tribal woman, clearly exhausted from the days of stress, added that “Muslims create trouble during their festival.”

These firsthand testimonies expose not just an attack on a community, but a calculated attempt to instill fear during a deeply sacred festival. The targeting of tribal culture, their elders, and women, as well as the desecration of their religious symbols, paints a disturbing picture of communal tension simmering under the surface.

Resentment in Tribal Community

In the wake of the recent attack during the Sarhul festival procession, the Sarna community has expressed profound indignation. On April 3, beginning at 9 a.m., community members initiated a blockade on the Ranchi-Patratu road, voicing their demand for justice. Concurrently, the Pithauriya market witnessed a complete shutdown as shopkeepers joined in solidarity. The central demand of the protesters was the immediate arrest of all individuals involved in the assault. Although law enforcement has apprehended two suspects thus far, the community remains resolute, declaring that their demonstrations will persist until every perpetrator is brought to justice. ​

Eyewitness accounts from the victims reveal that the aggression extended beyond merely halting their religious procession. Sacred leaders, known as Pahans (priests), along with other participants, were subjected to physical assaults. Notable individuals such as Ravi Pahan, Nagdev Pahan, Painbhora Munda, and Sandeep Munda sustained injuries during the incident. In response, on April 2, the victims formally lodged a complaint with the local police station, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). ​

The FIR specifically names individuals including Adam Ansari, Arif Ansari, Mintu Ansari, and Juaifa Ansari as alleged assailants. Additionally, the complaint references several unidentified persons believed to have participated in the attack. According to the filed report, as the Sarhul procession reached the Hargarhi area in Hethbalu village, it was ambushed by attackers wielding sharp weapons. The assailants had reportedly positioned themselves strategically in anticipation of the procession's arrival, suggesting a premeditated assault. ​

What is the Entire Matter

The genesis of this unfortunate conflict appears to stem from disputes over festive decorations. Members of the Muslim community had adorned both sides of the road with jhalars (decorative streamers). In accordance with longstanding tradition, the tribal community erected their flags along the roadside as part of the Sarhul celebrations. This juxtaposition of decorations led to tensions between the two groups a day prior to the festival. The situation escalated on April 1 when the tribal procession inadvertently caused some of the jhalars to become entangled and damaged by a passing tractor. ​

This incident acted as a catalyst, prompting members of the Muslim community to launch an attack on the tribals using sticks, bricks, and axes. The violent confrontation resulted in injuries to eight individuals, including the leading Pahan of the Sarhul procession. Conversely, representatives from the Muslim community have reported that four individuals from their side also sustained injuries. Deputy Superintendent of Police Amar Kumar Pandey has acknowledged that the clash was primarily rooted in disagreements over the placement and handling of the festive decorations. ​

The incident has elicited strong reactions from political figures. Former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi criticized the current administration, asserting that the audacity of certain groups has increased under Chief Minister Hemant Soren's leadership. Marandi expressed concerns over the state's inability to protect Sarna sites and ensure the safety of the Sarhul festival. He has called upon the Ranchi police to take stringent and swift action against those responsible for obstructing the Sarhul procession. ​The Avenue Mail

In a pointed remark, Marandi stated, "Hemant Soren ji, do another drama – like you first filed a case against the Sarna Sthal agitators, then tried to garner applause by stopping the action. In the same way, now get an FIR registered by the tribes, then cancel it and garner applause. Keep fooling and confusing the tribal society through such crooked politics."