Jaipur, A gathering for a Bengali folk artist in Jaipur, Rajasthan, turned into chaos as activists affiliated with a Hindutva group violently disrupted the event, causing panic among attendees and damage to the venue. The incident has raised concerns over the safety of artists and the growing religious polarization in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the event, which featured the renowned Bengali folk artist Deen Krishna Thakur, was abruptly interrupted by the Hindutva group’s activists who stormed the venue, shouting slogans and vandalizing property. Eyewitnesses described the scene as terrifying, with the aggressors specifically targeting the program due to its inclusive and spiritual nature.

Deen Krishna Thakur, known for promoting messages of divine love and unity through his music, voiced his sadness over the disruption. He emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of hate, vowing that the message of unity his event aimed to spread would continue despite the attack.

This incident is part of a worrying trend of religiously motivated attacks in India, with analysts citing the rise of extremist ideologies and the politicization of religion as key factors driving such violence. The attack on Thakur’s event in Jaipur highlights the challenges faced by artists and communities striving for harmony in an increasingly divided society.

The response from the local community and attendees of the event has been one of defiance against the divisiveness, with many calling for unity and solidarity against forces that seek to segregate society based on religious lines. The incident underscores the critical need for dialogue and tolerance in addressing the root causes of such conflicts.