Communal tensions exploded in Tarana town of Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh, after an alleged assault on Sohal Thakur Bundela, the local head of Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Gau Seva Prakoshtha. The incident began on Thursday night with a verbal dispute that quickly escalated into physical violence, leaving Bundela with serious injuries. What started as a personal altercation rapidly drew in members of both communities, resulting in widespread stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson that continued into Friday.

Mobs targeted vehicles near the bus stand, damaging at least 13 buses—including one set ablaze—along with 10 cars, motorcycles, and several houses and shops. Videos circulating on social media captured armed individuals brandishing swords, rods, and lathis, confronting each other openly while police struggled to regain control. Reports from one community claimed armed groups entered neighborhoods, pelting stones at homes and attempting to approach places of worship, heightening fears in a town previously free of major communal incidents.

Police responded swiftly by imposing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS and summoning additional forces from multiple stations across the district. Five suspects involved in the initial assault were arrested, triggering protests outside the Tarana police station by supporters of the injured VHP leader, who demanded harsher measures including public parading of the accused and demolition of their properties. Authorities have detained 15 to 20 individuals so far, with ongoing analysis of CCTV footage and mobile videos to identify more rioters.

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Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradip Sharma assured strict action against all those involved in the violence. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, whose home district is Ujjain, condemned the unrest and vowed that perpetrators would face severe consequences. He made the statement upon returning from the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. Local leaders, including Tarana Shahar Qazi Safiullah and Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar, appealed for peace, urging punishment for those responsible in the original assault while protecting innocent residents from retaliation.

The episode has raised concerns over law and order in the region, with police maintaining a heavy presence to prevent further flare-ups. Investigations continue to determine the full sequence of events and ensure accountability on all sides.

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