In a deeply unsettling incident, an evening meant for religious harmony turned violent during the celebration of Sharad Purnima in Rajni Vihar, Jaipur. A peaceful kheer distribution event, held under the Karni Vihar police station area, took a dark turn when a group of people arrived uninvited, causing chaos and violently attacking attendees with knives.

The attack left ten individuals associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) injured during this religious program at a local temple, police confirmed on Friday, October 18, 2024. What was meant to be a tranquil gathering quickly escalated into a nightmare for those present, especially the devotees.

The event, a ‘jagran’ programme, was being held at the temple on the night of Thursday, October 17, to celebrate Sharad Purnima, a sacred occasion in the Hindu calendar. As devotees participated in the distribution of prasad, things took a dramatic turn. “Two people from the neighborhood raised objections to the event being held late at night,” according to the police. What began as a verbal disagreement quickly spiraled into violence.

The situation worsened when, after the initial argument, the two individuals reportedly called for backup. “After an altercation over the issue, the accused called others and attacked people with a knife, in which 10 RSS workers got injured,” the authorities further explained. This sudden escalation left the crowd in panic, and the atmosphere of devotion was tragically overshadowed by bloodshed.

The severity of the injuries sustained by some of the victims required immediate medical attention. Six of the injured were rushed to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Their conditions are being closely monitored as authorities investigate the heinous attack.

CCTV footage of the shocking incident has been obtained by Aaj Tak, offering a clear view of the disturbing series of events that transpired. In the footage, it is evident that the attackers stormed into the Mahadev Temple, where the peaceful celebration was being held, armed with knives. One of the attackers has been identified as Naseeb Chaudhary, raising alarms about the motivations behind the attack.

Eyewitnesses have also alleged that the attackers were attempting to seize the temple land, a claim that adds a layer of concern over the possible long-standing tensions related to this sacred space. The footage paints a grim picture of how things unraveled. It shows devotees, including a child and a woman, sitting calmly in the temple premises, when suddenly, two men enter the scene. Without any provocation, they kick over the vessel of kheer, spilling it onto the floor. Despite the attendees’ efforts to de-escalate the situation, the attackers escalated their aggression by hurling abuses. Soon, the confrontation turned violent, as the men brandished knives and began attacking people.

The Sharad Purnima event, which was supposed to be a celebration of devotion and unity, instead turned into a nightmare for those present. The attackers not only ruined the peaceful atmosphere but physically harmed around 8 RSS workers, who were injured in the ensuing chaos. This brutal assault has left many questioning the safety of such religious gatherings and raised the issue of whether this attack was premeditated, as some have suggested.

Police authorities have acted swiftly, with two individuals now detained in connection with the attack. According to the official report, the incident started when two locals objected to the late-night gathering. After an argument broke out, these individuals reportedly called for backup, which led to the violent knife attack. In total, about 10 RSS workers were left injured, with several requiring hospitalization.

The police have confirmed that accused Naseeb Chaudhary and his son have been taken into custody following the brutal knife attack on RSS workers during a religious event in Jaipur. Efforts are still ongoing to track down the other individuals involved in the violent assault. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation is currently underway to uncover the full details of the incident.

Out of the ten injured in the attack, six have been admitted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital for urgent medical attention. The attack, which took place during the Sharad Purnima celebrations, has left many in shock, with several victims suffering serious injuries from the knives wielded by the attackers. Despite the quick response from authorities, the aftermath of the incident has left a mark on the local community.

In response to the attack, the local community was understandably outraged. Enraged locals blocked the Delhi-Ajmer National Highway temporarily as a form of protest against the violent incident. This act of civil unrest was a clear signal of the frustration and anger among the people, demanding immediate action from the authorities. However, the protest was called off later that night after assurances were made by local officials.

The severity of the incident caught the attention of prominent political figures. Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore wasted no time in visiting the victims at Sawai Man Singh Hospital. During his visit, he strongly condemned the attack and assured the public that “the culprits would not be spared.” His statement has provided some reassurance to the injured and their families, as well as to the wider community that justice will be served.

This incident, which occurred due to an altercation over the late-night timing of the event, escalated far beyond a simple disagreement. As prasad was being distributed among the devotees, two individuals from the neighborhood expressed their objections to the ongoing event, leading to a heated exchange. “After an altercation over the issue, the accused called others and attacked people with a knife, in which 10 RSS workers got injured,” police reported.

Victims Share Their Ordeal

The attack during the religious event in Jaipur has left many victims deeply shaken, and several have come forward to share their harrowing experiences. One of the injured individuals recounted the terrifying sequence of events in an interview with Aaj Tak. The victim revealed that the attackers first kicked the vessel of kheer before launching a violent knife attack, injuring several people. The victim further added that the attackers seemed to have “a criminal mindset,” suggesting that the aggression was premeditated and deliberate.

Another victim provided a similarly chilling account of the incident. “A lady and a man were among the attackers. As soon as they arrived, they started abusing us. When we asked what the matter was, they overturned the kheer vessel and immediately stabbed us,” the injured individual explained. The victim emphasized the shock of the situation, pointing out that “we didn’t even know them. Whoever tried to intervene was also stabbed.” This senseless act of violence has left the community reeling, as the event has been organized peacefully for years without any such issues. “We’ve been organizing this event for years, but nothing like this has ever happened. The attack seemed entirely criminal in nature,” the victim concluded.

The outrage sparked by this incident has also caught the attention of political figures. Senior BJP leader and former MLA Arun Chaturvedi condemned the attack, emphasizing that the armed assailants infiltrated the celebration and began assaulting attendees. Chaturvedi reassured the public that those responsible for the violence would face “strict consequences,” echoing the broader call for justice from the community.

The severity of the attack prompted a visit from Rajasthan’s Cabinet Minister, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who expressed deep concern for the wellbeing of the injured. Rathore personally visited the victims at the hospital and offered words of support. He reaffirmed that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and promised that “stringent action” would be taken against the perpetrators to ensure justice is served.