Clashes, armed processions, and political confrontations marked Ram Navami celebrations across several states, as the religious event took on a political hue in many parts of the country. People across India thronged temples and participated in colourful processions amid heightened security, particularly in communally sensitive areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and posted on X, “Prabhu Shri Ram is a uniting force for all of us… Blessed to have the Darshan of both [Ram Setu and Surya Tilak]. May His blessings always remain upon us.”
Bengal: Swords Displayed In Ram Navami Rallies In Malda And Howrah
In West Bengal, reports from Malda and Howrah revealed that Ram Navami rallies in these districts featured open display of arms, including swords, India Today reported. In Malda, a large procession began from Ramakrishna Palli Maidan, while in Howrah’s Sankrail, similar scenes unfolded. According to India Today’s report, Police sources confirmed that organisers did not possess official permission to carry weapons, and legal action is expected against them for violating rally guidelines.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Dola Sen sharply criticised the trend. “I have never seen such heavy police presence for Ram Navami before, but now the police are required to be vigilant. Dilip Ghosh appeared with weapons during the Ram Navami celebration…” she said, questioning the normalisation of armed religious processions under BJP rule, as per the report.
Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh stirred controversy by defending the presence of weapons in religious processions. Speaking in Kharagpur on Saturday, Ghosh said, “What’s wrong if someone carries a weapon?” He further asserted, “Ram Navami will be celebrated in a grand way across West Bengal. It is the duty of the police to ensure the peaceful conduct of celebrations. The Hindu community celebrates the festival as per their traditions, there should not be any problem with this.”
He added, “Crores of people will take to the streets. If anyone tries to create trouble, it is the responsibility of the police and administration to stop them.” Ghosh claimed that temples have been vandalised, idols stolen, and pandals set ablaze in recent times. Referring to participants in Ram Navami rallies carrying swords and sticks, he asked, “In such a situation, if Hindus step out to protect themselves, how is it a crime?” He maintained that the display of arms is symbolic and not criminal. “No one should object to how Hindus celebrate their festivals,” he said, as per the report.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul told the media, “The Hindu brother-sisters, who are feeling unsafe handed us weapons. If Muslims can carry weapons on Muharram, then why can’t Hindus?… There should not be any discrimination among religions… Men and women are not safe in West Bengal.”
“I was given the weapon by people as a plea for ensuring their security. If the need arises, we will have to learn to use it,” she added.
#WATCH | Asansol, West Bengal | BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul says, “The Hindu brother-sisters, who are feeling unsafe handed us weapons. If Muslims can carry weapons on Muharram, then why can’t Hindus?… There should not be any discrimination among religions… Men and women are not… pic.twitter.com/B9LqhXeJIv
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025
The BJP alleged an attack on vehicles belonging to Ram Navami devotees during a religious procession. “Despite a heavy police presence, no action was taken. Just last Friday, at the same location, members of Muslim community protested against the Waqf Bill, bringing the city to a halt. They burned tires on the roads and paralyzed normal life—yet again, without any intervention from law enforcement. Today, Hindus have once again been targeted—and once again, the police chose silence,” it claimed.
Mamata Banerjee’s long-standing wish seems to have come true. In the heart of Kolkata—at Park Circus—vehicles belonging to Ram Navami devotees were attacked and vandalized during a religious procession.
Despite a heavy police presence, no action was taken. Just last Friday, at… pic.twitter.com/h576UZ296i
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 6, 2025
In response, Kolkata Police clarified that no permission was taken for any procession nor did any such movement occur in the area. “Upon receiving information about damage to a vehicle, police intervened promptly to restore order. A case is being registered to investigate the matter. Public is advised not to heed any rumours,” it stated.
With reference to an alleged incident at Park Circus, it is clarified that no permission was taken for any procession, nor did any such movement occur in the area. Upon receiving information about damage to a vehicle, police intervened promptly to restore order. A case is being…
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) April 6, 2025
West Bengal witnessed around 2,500 rallies involving both BJP and TMC leaders, turning the occasion into a political battleground ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation for a Ram temple in Nandigram, MP Sukanta Majumdar participated in a rally in Howrah, and Saumitra Khan displayed his ‘Lathi Khela’ (stick drill) skills in Bankura. TMC MLA Shaukat Molla and councillor Gautam Chowdhury also joined rallies, including one organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
To prevent any untoward incidents, over 6,000 police personnel were deployed in West Bengal, aided by drone and CCTV surveillance, according to police sources. ABVP supporters organised prayers at Jadavpur University’s technology building, despite denial of permission by university authorities. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bajrang Dal, and other Hindu organisations also conducted processions in different states.
In Malda, Muslim residents showcased communal harmony by showering petals on passing devotees and distributing refreshments. “This is what India stands for — unity in diversity and communal harmony,” said Mohammad Ali, a local shopkeeper.
UP: Surya Tilak And Deepotsav In Ayodhya On Ram Navami, Tensions In Rawatpur
In the holy city of Ayodhya, thousands gathered at the Ram Temple to witness the ‘Surya Tilak’ ritual, where sun rays fall on the forehead of the Balak Shri Ram Lalla idol. Devotees carried saffron flags and chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’, while tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana moved through the streets.
Deepotsav was organised in Ayodhya with over 2.5 lakh diyas lit as people celebrated the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, news agency ANI reported.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Deepotsav was organised in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navami. Over 2.5 lakh diyas were lit as the people of Ayodhya celebrated Lord Ram’s birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/qpg2od82LO
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025
In Kanpur, tensions flared in Rawatpur after members of Hindu organisations clashed with police over the seizure of their sound system the previous night, according to news agency IANS.
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A clash broke out during a Ram Navami Shobha Yatra in Rawatpur, after members of Hindu organizations protested the police’s action of seizing their sound system the previous night pic.twitter.com/Pz5s3dmwUE
— IANS (@ians_india) April 6, 2025
Security was heightened in the Nai Sadak area on Sunday evening following claims that stones were hurled at a Ram Navami procession. However, police have termed the allegations as unfounded and asserted that the situation remains under control.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Shrawan Kumar Singh, a written complaint was received from the organisers of the ‘Shobha Yatra’. The complaint alleged that stones were thrown from rooftops of buildings near Nai Sadak, close to Chandreshwar Hata, while the procession was returning.
The rumour was reportedly triggered by a video circulating on social media that showed people fleeing the area. “As per the complaint, trouble erupted after devotees were pelted with stones from buildings when the procession was returning after the ‘Shobha Yatra’,” said DCP Singh, as quoted by news agency PTI.
“Prima facie it appears to be a rumour, as no one has been hit by bricks or stones. We have made proper inspections and scanned CCTV footage and videos and found no evidence corroborating the charges so far,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed Kanya Pujan rituals at the Gorakhnath Temple and called for gender equality. “It is everyone’s responsibility to treat daughters equally. Only when women are free from injustice and exploitation can we truly realise the vision of a strong and empowered India,” he said, as per PTI.
In Sambhal, a giant 51-foot statue of Lord Ram was the centre of attraction. “The statue is very beautiful, it seems as if Lord Shri Ram is speaking to us,” said Vinay Varshney, a devotee, as quoted by PTI.
A Sobha Yatra procession was also carried out in Sambhal amid tight security.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | A Sobha Yatra procession was carried out in Sambhal amid tight security on the occasion of Ram Navami 2025 pic.twitter.com/nE49fw0fl7
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025
Ram Navami Celebrations In Delhi, Telangana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended a Ram Navami procession in Khayala and said, “Saffron is the colour of the soil and the prosperity and well-being of people. Why not paint Delhi saffron so that every person prospers and the city marches forward?” She further said, “A ‘Laxman Rekha’ will be drawn over the politics of appeasement that was being done in Delhi. Now, there will be politics of contentment.”
Ram Navami was also observed with devotion across states like Telangana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy offered prayers at the Sri Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple in Bhadrachalam, while BJP’s Raja Singh led a Shobha Yatra in Hyderabad. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also participated in celebrations in his native village near Hyderabad.
A 30 feet tall statue of Lord Ram was inaugurated in Raigad on the occasion of Ram Navami 2025, ANI reported.
#WATCH | Maharashtra | A 30 feet tall statue of Lord Ram was inaugurated in Raigad on the occasion of Ram Navami 2025 pic.twitter.com/lAKixdqPH7
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren offered prayers at the Ram Janaki Tapovan temple in Ranchi. “The great ideals of the Lord will continue to inspire humanity for ages, nurturing it with an unending stream of inspiration,” said Soren, as quoted by PTI. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also extended greetings.
Security was intensified in cities like Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Hazaribag with drone monitoring and bodycam-equipped personnel. In Maharashtra’s Nashik, thousands gathered at the Shree Kalaram Temple. Mumbai’s Malwani area saw the deployment of over 500 police officers. In Lucknow, devotees flocked to major temples including Chandrika Devi and Mankameshwar.
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