On a somber Friday, August 16, the serene daily life of Udaipur was shattered by a harrowing event that prompted the district administration to suspend internet services for 24 hours and enforce stringent security measures across the city. This drastic action followed a deeply distressing incident at a local school where a young student suffered a violent attack that has since ignited severe communal tensions.

The heart of the turmoil lies in a grievous assault where a Hindu student, a young boy with his future ahead of him, was critically injured. The boy, identified as 15-year-old Devraj Mochi, who is studying in the 10th grade at Government Higher Secondary School, Rang Niwas, fell victim to a brutal knife attack allegedly carried out by a peer from the Muslim community. This event not only caused physical injuries but also inflicted deep emotional scars on the community, particularly because Devraj had recently embodied the revered figure of Lord Ram in the local Gangaur festival—a portrayal that now resonates with poignant irony given the violence he endured.

In response to the stabbing, local Hindu organizations, in a state of shock and anger, called for the immediate shutdown of markets in several parts of the city, reflecting the community's outcry and demand for justice.

The alleged assailant, Ayan Sheikh, the son of Jamil Sheikh from Diwan Shah Colony, Kishanpole, Udaipur, reportedly attacked Devraj over a minor dispute at school. The fact that such a young life was thrust into the center of a violent conflict over trivial disagreements has left the community reeling.

The shocking incident took place around 10:30 AM when a student altercation turned violent near the Surajpol police station area. In a troubling sequence of events, one student attacked another with a knife before escaping from the scene, sparking immediate chaos and fear among the bystanders.

The victim, grievously injured in the attack, was urgently rushed to Maharana Bhupal (MB) Hospital by the school's staff. He is currently under intensive care, fighting for his recovery in the ICU. This alarming situation has led to widespread outrage in the community, prompting residents to forcefully shut down shops in major commercial hubs such as Chetak Circle, Hathipole, Ashwini Market, Bapu Bazaar, and Ghantaghar. Police forces have been swiftly deployed throughout these areas to prevent further unrest and ensure public safety.

According to District Education Officer Lokesh Bharti, both involved parties are minors, about 15 years old, and classmates at the Government Senior Secondary School, Bhatiyani Chohatta. The exact motive behind their confrontation remains a mystery, although it is known that the clash occurred outside the school premises during lunchtime. The aggressor reportedly stabbed his classmate two to three times in the thigh, leading to severe injuries as the victim cried out in pain, drawing immediate attention from the teachers who ran to assist him.

In the aftermath, the injured boy's parents were promptly notified and hastened to MB Hospital, accompanied by a concerned crowd of local residents. Additional police forces have been stationed at the hospital as a precaution to maintain order and ensure the safety of all parties involved.

Further complicating the situation, an FIR (number: 342/2024) was filed at the Surajapole police station on August 16 by the victim's uncle, Vinod Mochi, officially documenting the grievous incident.

In a detailed account outlined in the FIR, the assault that shook the local community occurred around 10:30 AM just outside the premises of the school. According to the report, Ayan Sheikh initially assaulted Devraj Mochi and subsequently inflicted a stab wound to his thigh with a knife, causing severe bleeding. The immediacy and severity of the injury necessitated urgent medical intervention, prompting the family to rush Devraj to a major healthcare facility.

Upon arrival at Bade Hospital, the situation appeared grim as Devraj was discovered unconscious, compelling the medical team to move him swiftly into the operating room for emergency surgery. Amidst this chaotic scenario, Vinod Mochi, the uncle of the minor victim, was able to confirm that although Devraj had lost a significant amount of blood, the doctors were optimistic about his recovery, stating his condition was stable. Vinod, deeply concerned and preoccupied with the unfolding medical emergency, expressed his inability to delve into the reasons behind the attack.

The incident, as reported by the family, was not an isolated confrontation but the climax of ongoing hostilities wherein Ayan Sheikh had allegedly targeted Devraj daily, using caste-based and derogatory language. This continual harassment had been previously condemned by Devraj’s family, who are now convinced that the attack was driven by personal animosity and a malicious intent to publicly disgrace Devraj.

Legal repercussions for the accused are severe, with the FIR stating that Ayan Sheikh has been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: 109 (1), 126 (2), and 115 (2), which pertain to abetting and committing criminal acts. Furthermore, due to the nature of the derogatory and discriminatory conduct reported, additional charges have been filed under sections 3(2)(v) and 3(2)(va) of the Prevention of Atrocities Act, also known as the SC-ST Act, emphasizing the serious legal implications of caste-based violence.

Curfew and Protests: Udaipur Grapples with Aftermath of School Violence

In the wake of the distressing attack on a young student, Devraj Mochi, the city of Udaipur has seen a surge of unrest and communal tension. Youth from the Mochi community, supported by various Hindu organizations, organized significant demonstrations to protest the violence. These protests led to the closure of markets in critical areas such as Hathipol, Ashwini Bazaar, and Chetak Circle. During these protests, incidents of vandalism and arson were reported, including several vehicles being set ablaze, signaling a severe escalation in the public's response to the incident.

As the situation intensified, District Magistrate Arvind Poswal took decisive action by imposing a curfew on the urban area by the evening. This curfew, enforced under Section 163 (formerly Section 144), was aimed at curbing the spread of further violence and restoring peace in the community. The district administration made urgent appeals to the citizens, urging them to maintain calm and ignore any unfounded rumors that could potentially incite more unrest.

In his video statement, District Magistrate Arvind Poswal reassured the public, saying, “The condition of the injured child is stable. Doctors are giving him the best possible treatment. The city is peaceful now. The SP and I had roamed the city for an hour with police officers. Two-three vehicles were set on fire in some areas, but apart from this, there has been no incident for which the police have had to resort to lathi charge.”

Meanwhile, the victim of the attack, Devraj Mochi, continues to receive medical attention at MB Hospital, where his condition remains serious. In a show of defiance and a call for justice, Hindu groups amidst the chaos recited Hanuman Chalisa, a religious hymn, as a form of protest while the city faced the dual pressures of vandalism and strict administrative measures like the imposition of Section 144 and the suspension of internet services.

Motive behind attack

The grave situation in Udaipur continues to unfold as the victim of the recent school attack suffers severe complications. Hospital superintendent RL Suman reported that the victim sustained a deep knife wound to his thigh, necessitating surgical intervention. Currently, the student's condition is so critical that he has been placed on a ventilator to assist with his breathing.

While the exact details of the altercation that led to this violent incident remain somewhat vague, the initial investigation points to a verbal dispute as the possible catalyst. In the wake of the attack, the police moved swiftly to detain the accused student and arrest his father, with both currently undergoing questioning to ascertain their roles in the events leading up to this tragedy.

The reaction from the local community was immediate and intense. Residents expressed their outrage by vandalizing property, setting a garage on fire, and overturning several vehicles in the Sardarpura area. In response, Udaipur Collector and District Magistrate Arvind Poswal imposed Section 144, mandating a rigorous enforcement to stabilize the volatile situation.

Given the escalating unrest, all educational institutions in the city were ordered to close on Saturday, August 17. District Collector Arvind Poswal announced that schools and colleges would remain shut until further notice as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff and to prevent further disturbances.

In a concerning development related to the victim's health, complications have arisen involving the boy's kidneys. According to District Collector Arvind Poswal, expert doctors from private hospitals have been called in to address these medical issues.

To control the spread of misinformation and prevent further unrest, internet services have been partially shut down as a preventive measure. Meanwhile, the police have launched a thorough investigation into the incident to bring those responsible to justice.

Amidst this crisis, local political figures have voiced strong opinions on how to handle the aftermath. BJP’s MLA Phool Singh Meena made a bold statement, suggesting that the accused’s house should be demolished with a bulldozer to deter similar incidents in the future. He emphasized the urgent need for decisive action to prevent the situation from escalating further.

"The government will take action against those responsible for the crime," he affirmed, signaling a tough stance on maintaining law and order and ensuring that justice is served in this disturbing case.

Kanhaiya Lal Murder Roils Udaipur

The recent knife attack in Udaipur has not only caused immediate unrest but also resurrected painful memories of a brutal incident from two years ago that shook the entire nation. The stark reminder came in the form of a horrifying event when two Islamists, propelled by the contentious "Sar Tan Se Juda" protests which flared up following remarks by Alt News cofounder Mohammed Zubair about former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, executed a grisly act of violence. They murdered a Hindu tailor, Kanhaiya Lal, in a chilling display of extremism.

On June 28, 2022, the assailants, identified as Mohammed Riyaz Attari and Gaus Mohammed, targeted Kanhaiya Lal because of his public support for Nupur Sharma, an act they deemed worthy of the utmost punishment. Lal had expressed his support through a social media post which drew considerable backlash, culminating in deadly consequences. The attackers not only committed the murder but also chose to broadcast their heinous act by circulating a video online, intending to send a stark message to anyone who dared support Sharma.

Prior to the attack, on June 15, 2022, Kanhaiya Lal had sensed the mounting danger and sought protection from local authorities by filing a complaint with the police. Unfortunately, his pleas for help went unheeded as no substantial protective measures were implemented, leaving him dangerously exposed to the threats he feared. After shuttering his shop for a few days in hopes of mitigating the risk, economic necessity forced him to reopen — a decision that led directly to the fatal attack.

Following the murder, swift action was taken to apprehend the perpetrators. Mohammed Riyaz Attari and Gaus Mohammed were arrested and faced charges of premeditated murder and criminal conspiracy. Their trial, stemming from this cold-blooded murder, is still ongoing.

VHP International President Alok Kumar Condemns Udaipur Knife Attack

In a firm response to the unsettling events in Udaipur, Alok Kumar, the International President of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), expressed his condemnation of the recent knife attack at a government school in Rajasthan. On Saturday, he addressed the media, voicing deep concern over the incident where a class 10 student was reportedly assaulted by his classmate using a knife.

"I condemn this incident, this is what kind of mindset provoked school student to keep knives in their bags, who trained them to use knives. To instigate hatred inside the child that him to attack with the knife is not an isolated incident," Kumar stated, highlighting the broader issues of indoctrination and aggression among youth.

He further criticized a pervasive mindset within certain societal sections that, according to him, fosters violence not just locally but globally. "A particular section of the society’s mindset is spreading violence all over the world. Civil society should think and ...try to end that," he added, calling for introspection and action from communities worldwide to address these deep-seated issues.

The knife attack led to immediate administrative actions to prevent further unrest. On Friday, in response to the incident and subsequent communal violence, the Udaipur district administration swiftly imposed Section 144 and discontinued internet services for 24 hours. Udaipur SP Yogesh Goyal detailed the day's events, "After the unfortunate incident that took place during the day, there was outrage on the streets from the public and there were some incidents of vandalism. We immediately took a decision and imposed section 144 in the city... The injured child was given medical aid. The child is stable…"

Echoing similar sentiments, Udaipur District Collector Arvind Poswal provided an update on the situation, "This incident took place in the early hours today. We received info about a fight between two children, in which one child was attacked on his thighs with a knife. The wound was deep and the child was immediately taken to the hospital... I have met the child; his condition is stable now... Police are investigating the reason behind the incident."

Poswal also urged the public to remain calm and not to be swayed by rumors. "I would like to appeal to the public to not to pay attention to any kind of rumors or false information... The person who attacked with a knife has been arrested, his father has also been arrested... We are investigating if any other person or child is involved in this incident. No culprit will be spared... I would appeal that if anyone receives any info or forwards from WhatsApp, please verify it first with the administration, because there might be people who will try to spoil the atmosphere. It is our duty to maintain peace in the city," he concluded.