Bareilly: When police in Faridpur objected to a bulldozer being used in a Ram Navami procession, it led to a tense confrontation between the government and local BJP officials. Police on Monday halted the bulldozer, which was a part of the march coordinated by the Adarsh Ramlila Committee, calling its participation “unauthorised” and a “new tradition”. Hundreds of people protested the action by blocking the road and sitting there while yelling anti-administration and anti-police chants.

According to Harendra Singh, the house officer of Faridpur Station, the procession was ultimately concluded amicably. Although there was brief rioting, the police kept a close watch on sensitive areas throughout the night. On Tuesday morning, everything returned to normal,” he said.

When Adesh Pratap Singh, the president of the BJP’s Aonla, showed up and addressed the police officers, the situation became more heated.

Singh said that the police were interfering with customs and that the bulldozer had been a part of the Ram Navami parade for the last five years.

According to the BJP leader, “we’re not trying to disturb the peace.”

He backed up his assertion with images and recordings of past bulldozer-powered processions. After conferring with top district headquarters officials, the administration approved the inclusion of the bulldozer in the parade.

After flagging off the procession from the CAS Inter College grounds, Adesh Pratap Singh later rode the bulldozer as it continued.

According to Faridpur SDM Mallika Nain, the organisers were counselled to adhere to the procession’s customary pattern, which they ultimately accepted.

“The procession proceeded in a peaceful manner following discussions,” she stated.