Tripura: Hindutva Groups Allegedly Stop Muslim Men Announcing ‘Unauthorised’ Waz Mehfil.

Tension in Tripura’s Panisagar After Alleged Assault on Muslim Religious Announcers by Hindu Organisations. 

Subrata Das | HENB | Panisagar (Tripura) |  Dec 31, 2025:: Tension prevailed in the Pekuchhara area of Tripura’s Panisagar subdivision on Monday (Dec 22) after a vehicle announcing a Waz Mehfil, an Islamic religious seminar, was intercepted and its occupants allegedly assaulted. The incident prompted the deployment of police and civil administration officials to restore order and prevent escalation. HENB accessed the details of the incident later.

According to eyewitness Maulana Habib ur Rahman, the incident occurred when a group of around 15 individuals arrived in a vehicle reportedly displaying flags of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The group allegedly stopped the announcement vehicle and assaulted the three men inside, identified as Abdul Malik, Tasleem Uddin, and Maulana Junaid Ahmed.

Rahman described the attack as sudden and unprovoked, claiming it specifically targeted those involved in organising and publicising the religious programme. He said the incident caused panic among local residents and temporarily disrupted normal movement in the area.

Alleged Demands and Dispute Over Permissions

Eyewitness accounts state that the group demanded to see an official permission letter for conducting the Waz Mehfil. They also allegedly sought assurances from the organising committee that the event would not include any announcement / preaching / lecture  deemed offensive to Hindu Dharma, anti-Indian narratives, or incitement to violence. Additionally, the protestors reportedly demanded that the religious gathering include a condemnation of the lynching of Dip Chandra Das in Bangladesh.

According to the account provided, the announcers declined to give such assurances at the time, after which the assault allegedly took place.

Local media outlet Tripura Times reported that the announcements constituted an “unauthorised activity” lacking administrative approval. However, Rahman disputed this claim, asserting that public announcements for religious programmes do not require special permission. He further criticised the assault, stating that private individuals have no legal authority to enforce permissions or impose conditions through violence. Like Rahman, many Muslims in India believe that they are governed by Sharia and that no constitutional rules or permissions are required for Islamic programmes.

Administrative Response

Senior officials, including Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sushanta Debbarma, reached the spot shortly after the incident to manage the situation. While officials were seen engaging with local residents, no official police statement has been issued so far regarding the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) or any arrests.

The identities of the alleged attackers have not been officially confirmed, and authorities have not released information about the medical condition of the injured men.

Community Reaction

Residents of Pekuchhara have expressed fear and anger following the incident. Members of the local Muslim community allege that the attack was intended to intimidate them and restrict their right to organise religious events. The absence of clarity regarding legal action has reportedly added to the unease.

Hindutva organisations and local Hindu residents, however, have expressed resentment over what they describe as unauthorised Waz Mehfil programmes, alleging that such gatherings have, in certain instances, been used to propagate anti-Indian and anti-Hindu sentiments. According to these groups, speeches delivered at overnight religious events can allegedly promote hostility and deepen communal divisions by inciting Muslims against Hindus. They argue that the demand for prior permission and assurances regarding content stems from concerns over public order and communal harmony, particularly in communally sensitive areas, and insist that authorities must strictly monitor religious events to prevent the spread of hate speech or extremist narratives.

Situation Remains Under Watch

As of the time of reporting, the situation in the area remains under control, though tensions persist. Authorities have not yet clarified whether the announcements violated any local regulations or whether legal action will be taken against those involved in the alleged assault.

The incident has once again highlighted the sensitivities surrounding religious activities, public permissions, and law enforcement in communally diverse regions of the state.
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_Agency Inputs.