Clashes erupt after eggs allegedly hurled at Ganesh idol procession in Maharashtra; heavy police deployment

Heavy police security was deployed in Mumbai’s Mazgaon area after a clash broke out between two groups during a Ganesh idol arrival procession on Sunday night.

According to reports, tension escalated after organisers alleged that eggs were thrown at the procession as the idol was being brought into the area. Police were deployed in large numbers to prevent further escalation and maintain law and order.

The incident came a day after two people were killed and five others injured when a large Ganesh idol fell during an arrival procession in Mumbai’s Bhuleshwar area.

Two Killed as Ganesh Idol Falls

The accident occurred near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar on Saturday night, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The deceased were Sanket Nevase, 33, president of the Akhil Bhuleshwar Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal, and local resident Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30. Both were struck by the falling idol and died at the scene.

The cause of the idol’s collapse has not yet been established.

Following the incident, the BMC, Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, 108 Emergency Ambulance Service and civic ward staff were mobilised at the site.

Mandal officials are expected to meet to decide whether Ganeshotsav celebrations will continue this year and whether a replacement idol will be brought in.

Joshi, who was not a member of the mandal, reportedly participated in the annual welcome procession for the Bhuleshwar idol. His neighbour Kalpesh Shah said residents had been performing an aarti during the idol’s arrival in their lane for nearly six decades.

Minister Calls Accident ‘Deeply Distressing’

Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar described the Bhuleshwar incident as “deeply distressing and painful” and said a police inquiry was underway.

Shelar expressed condolences to the families of the two victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

He also said the Mumbai municipal authorities had been instructed to ensure the safety of routes used for Ganesh idol arrival and immersion processions.

“All the details should be revealed in the inquiry report,” Shelar said, adding that safety measures must be strengthened along procession routes.