Violent Attack on RSS Volunteers During Sharad Purnima
In Jaipur, Rajasthan, violence erupted on October 18, 2024, when a peaceful Sharad Purnima celebration turned brutal. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had organized a kheer distribution ceremony at a Shiv Mandir in Karni Vihar. However, the evening was disrupted when radical elements attacked the attendees with knives. The attack left 10 RSS volunteers injured, with several suffering severe injuries.
Jaipur, Rajasthan: 8 RSS volunteers injured in knife attack while distributing sweets at Sharad Purnima festival. Assailants, Naseeb Chaudhary and son, detained. pic.twitter.com/2ICplPv5nX
— Angry Saffron (@AngrySaffron) October 18, 2024
According to reports, two local residents initially objected to the event, citing noise and crowd issues. But the altercation quickly escalated when they called in armed individuals, leading to the brutal assault on the peaceful gathering.
Land Grabbing or Communal Targeting?
The arrested attackers, identified as Naseeb Chaudhary and his son, are reportedly involved in land-grabbing activities. This has led some to claim that the incident is not purely communal but related to property disputes. However, the swift, violent nature of the attack, combined with the targeting of an RSS-organized religious event, raises suspicions about deeper communal motives.
BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya pointed out that Chaudhary has a history of illegal land acquisition, and his house near the temple violated municipal rules. The land-related angle cannot be dismissed, but given the involvement of radical peaceful elements, the communal aspect looms large.
The RSS: A Target for Radical Peacefuls
RSS, a non-political, service-based organization, has often found itself under attack from radical peaceful elements. The organization, which aids people regardless of religion, plays a crucial role in disaster relief, as recently seen during Kerala’s floods. Their service to the country is undeniable, but their unity threatens the political ambitions of radical groups.
These radicals feed the peaceful community a narrative that RSS is an enemy, encouraging them to attack whenever they encounter its members. While some claim that this particular incident was related to a land dispute, the consistent targeting of RSS workers raises doubts.
The Persistent Threat
Despite attempts to frame the attack as purely land-related, the communal angle cannot be ignored. Time and again, peaceful communities have shown little gratitude for the impartial service RSS provides. No matter how neutral the RSS remains, they are viewed as “kafirs” who must either be converted or eliminated. This sentiment runs deep among radical peaceful groups, making every attack more than just an isolated incident.