Communal Harmony

On July 26, at around 10:15 PM, Hindu devotees were participating in the Bolbam festival in Sunsari, a typical event during the holy month of Saun, when the Muslim community voiced their protest over the loud music. Already tensions had been high between the Hindu and Muslim communities due to the replacement of a Muharram flag with a Hindu group’s flag on a utility pole. Incited by the loud music, a clash erupted between the two sides. Consequently, Nepal Police was called and the police personnel tried to mediate. However, the situation couldn’t be salvaged as the crowd grew in numbers with people arriving at the scene armed with stones, clubs, spears, bamboo and what not.