Police Violence Mars Varanasi's Rangbhari Ekadashi Celebrations
During the bustling Rangbhari Ekadashi festivities in Varanasi on Friday, a disturbing incident unfolded at the revered Kashi Vishwanath Dham. A woman journalist reporting for a local news portal and a youth who intervened to protect her were allegedly assaulted by police personnel, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). This event has cast a shadow over the sacred celebrations and sparked widespread outrage.
Alleged Assault on Journalist and Bystander
The journalist had arrived at Gate No. 4, the designated entry point for media personnel, with a valid pass to cover the cultural events on the temple campus. According to her account, an ACP inappropriately touched her while pushing her back and proceeded to assault her. When a young man stepped forward to stop the police from mistreating her, he too was reportedly beaten by officers escorting the ACP. Eyewitnesses captured the entire altercation on their mobile phones, and the footage quickly went viral on social media by Saturday morning, drawing immediate public and official attention.
Additional Incident Involving Vedic Student
In a separate but related incident, videos also surfaced showing policemen allegedly thrashing a Batuk, a young Vedic student, within the barricaded areas of the shrine. The student was reportedly standing in a queue inside the temple premises when the altercation occurred. This further highlighted concerns about police conduct during the high-pressure event, where managing massive crowds was a significant challenge.
Official Response and Investigation
Senior police officials took swift notice of the viral videos. DCP (Kashi zone) Gaurav Banswal announced that the ACP and all other policemen involved in both incidents have been attached to police lines, pending a thorough investigation. Additionally, strict directives were issued to all police personnel deployed in and around Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the ghats along the Ganga, and other public areas to ensure cordial behavior with the public during crowd regulation efforts.
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham administration had permitted media entry at the cultural venue for coverage of Rangbhari Ekadashi events, making the alleged assault on the journalist particularly egregious. The incidents have raised serious questions about police accountability and the treatment of civilians during religious gatherings in one of India's most prominent spiritual hubs.
