Religious Tensions Flare in HP’s Bilaspur After Clash Near Mahashivaratri Feast, Police Say It’s Not Religious

A clash between two groups in the Gwalthai industrial area of Bilaspur has sparked a religious dispute on social media. However, the police have stated that it was merely a fight between two parties and not a religious issue.

The first complaint, filed by Saleem Khan, a resident of village Illewal, claims that he was changing his car’s tire with his brother Achhar near the truck union in Gwalthai when two people from his village blocked his way, started using abusive language, and physically assaulted him. On the other hand, the second complaint by Chaman Kumar, also a resident of Illewal, says he was travelling home on his motorcycle when he was stopped by a car parked with seven people inside. He alleges the people in the car attacked him and threatened to kill him.

Following the incident, Hindu leader Kamal Gautam posted on social media, accusing the other community of attacking the Hindu group, who were organizing a Mahashivaratri feast in Gwalthai. Chaman Kumar and another person, Hoshiyar Singh, also released videos claiming that the fight was over the Mahashivaratri feast, and they even mentioned that shots were fired during the incident.

There is also a dispute involving the Truck Operators Union of Gwalthai. Sources say that there were attempts to replace the head of the union, and the union president’s son was stopped by the other group, leading to an argument that eventually turned into a physical fight. A member of a local organization posted on social media warning that if anyone tries to communalize the issue, legal action will be taken.

Regarding the situation, Bilaspur’s Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Dhawal, stated, “Complaints have been filed by both parties, and the police are investigating every aspect of the case. Preliminary investigations suggest that it is a case of physical assault. CCTV footage is also being reviewed.”

The Mahashivaratri festival is being celebrated on Wednesday, and the temple is located around three kilometers from the site of the incident.