What began as a religious procession to mark Ram Navami in Mumbai’s western suburbs quickly turned into a disturbing display of hate speech and vulgar slogans, raising fresh concerns over the communalization of public festivals.
Independent journalist and author Kunal Purohit documented the event, which unfolded outside Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
According to his on-ground reporting, thousands of participants—mostly young men in their 20s and 30s—joined the procession. Some older men and a few women were also part of the crowd.
But the atmosphere shifted drastically as inflammatory chants and hate songs blared through the loudspeakers.
“Aurangzeb ki kabr khudegi, maa chdegi,” one of the chants echoed repeatedly, while songs containing explicit threats against Muslims—“Bharat mein jo deshdrohi hai, unki maa ka bhsda”—were played and sung aloud.
The tempo of the crowd surged with each song that carried anti-Muslim sentiments. Many participants sang in unison, dancing to the beats with visible enthusiasm.
Shockingly, organisers brought in a man dressed as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was met with cheers and excitement from the crowd.
At regular intervals, individuals took the mic to further incite the gathering. Chants like “Jisko chahiye Afzal Khan, usko bhejo Pakistan,” were delivered with zeal. The journalist noted how the slogans were not isolated outbursts but a central feature of the procession.
“These songs and chants weren’t fringe. They were mainstream,” Purohit wrote. “Most people knew the lyrics by heart. It was as if the hate was rehearsed.”
Despite the presence of the police throughout the event, there was no visible effort to stop or restrain the hate-filled slogans or vulgar chants. The inaction has sparked criticism of the authorities’ complicity or, at best, their indifference.
“Disturbing,” responding to the videos one user wrote. “When a sacred festival like Ram Navami becomes a stage for hate and vulgarity, it’s not just faith that’s defiled — it’s the soul of our nation.”
Another user remarked: “Even Ram must be wondering where these Hindus have come from.”
Read more: Violence Erupts in Murshidabad During Ram Navami Procession, Mamata Alleges BJP’s Role
This incident is not an isolated one. In recent years, religious processions have increasingly become flashpoints for communal tensions, with religious symbols often weaponised to provoke minority communities.
The silence from political leadership has only deepened the disquiet.
As the country navigates a tense pre-election environment, such displays of unchecked hate in the name of religion raise pressing questions about where the nation is headed—and what kind of public culture is being nurtured.
