'Before The Sunrise In Surat': Thirty-Three Arrested After Stone-Pelting On Ganpati Pandal In Surat

Tensions flared in Surat, Gujarat, following a stone-pelting incident at a Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area on 9 September.

Individuals pelted stones at the pandal, causing damage to the Ganpati murti. Protests erupted after the incident, which stirred anger among devotees.

Surat police quickly responded, arresting over 30 individuals — the six people involved in stone-pelting and 27 others who encouraged the incident.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are reviewing the CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi assured strict action against those responsible for the incident. "We will not tolerate such incidents and will take strict action against those found guilty," Sanghavi said.

"In the Sayedpura area of Surat, today 6 people pelted stone on the Ganesh Pandal…All these 6 people were arrested and the police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such incident…The investigation is underway…police are deployed in all the areas of Surat…Those who will breach the peace, action will be taken against them."

Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot informed that 1,000 police personnel were deployed.

"Some children pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal after which a clash broke out. The police immediately took away those children from there… Police were immediately deployed in the area. Lathi charge was done in all the areas where it was needed, and tear gas was used… All the accused who were involved in the peace disturbance are being arrested," said Gehlot.

The incident has sparked tensions in the area, with local residents demanding increased security measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The police have increased security in the area and are working to maintain peace and order.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the police are working to identify the motive behind the stone-pelting.

Soon after the incident, Sanghavi, who is also a member of the legislative assembly (MLA) from Surat’s Navsari seat, posted on X at 4:20 am, assuring “strict action” and promising that “all culprits will be arrested before the first sunrise in Surat city.”

This was followed by another post by Sanghavi at 5:20 am, where he was seen performing Ganeshji aarti and puja at the same Ganesh pandal where the stone-pelting occurred, along with the Surat police team and Ganesh mandal organisers.

An hour later, he posted an update that, as promised, the stone-pelters had been caught before sunrise. Giving the details, he said that 27 people were arrested and that CCTV, video visuals, drone visuals, and other technical surveillance work was still ongoing. 

On 7 September, a similar incident occurred in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, during a Ganpati procession.