Tensions Averted in Firozabad: 200-Year-Old Shrine Damaged, Hanuman Idol Placed Overnight

A sensitive incident took place late at night on August 12th in Shikohabad, Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh, when miscreants damaged a nearly 200-year-old Sufi shrine (mazar) on Malkhanpur Road and replaced it with a Hanuman idol. The act, which appeared as an attempt to trigger communal discord, was discovered the next morning by a local cleaning worker, Neelam, who found the sacred spot destroyed and a new idol in its place. Shocked, she reported the matter to locals and authorities.

What Happened?

“Every morning I come to clean,” Neelam recounted, “but today, where Baba’s shrine was, they had put up a statue. So I didn’t clean there.” Local resident Irshad Ali added, “This is a very old mazar—around 200 years old. People were present here until about 11 p.m. After that, some people came, broke the shrine, and put up a Hanuman idol.”

Residents awoke to see the damage and called the police. The site quickly became the focus of attention, as such incidents have historically led to tensions in the area.

Not the First Attempt to Disturb Peace

Locals stated that this wasn’t the first attempt to disrupt harmony in Firozabad. Just recently, before the Sawan festival, meat was thrown on a religious pilgrimage route, and Hindu groups had demanded the removal of another shrine in Tundla two days prior. These patterns have made villagers wary of attempts to create community strife.

Police Action and Community Response

Police responded promptly, removing the idol from the shrine and assuring villagers that strict action would be taken against those responsible. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Trigun Vishen, two teams have been formed to identify the culprits, and legal proceedings have begun.

“The shrine was badly damaged, but with help from the community, we have restored it,” SP Vishen said, confirming that the situation is now peaceful but closely monitored by law enforcement.

Villagers Demand Justice

While peace prevails for now, villagers remain alert and want a thorough investigation, so that those responsible are punished. “We want the guilty caught and punished swiftly so that such acts are not repeated in the future,” said one local.

Police officials reinforced their zero-tolerance approach, vowing that anyone involved in disturbing the peace would not escape punishment.

Conclusion

Thanks to prompt police response and cooperation from the community, the situation in Firozabad was swiftly brought under control, averting any major communal fallout. However, the big question remains—who are the miscreants who repeatedly try to poison the city’s atmosphere?

Tensions may be under control for now, but vigilance and justice are needed to ensure long-term harmony.

How do you think authorities and communities should address efforts to incite communal tension? Share your thoughts below.