COLOMBO: As election campaign gathers momentum, poll violence of an unprecedented nature has been reported from various Indian states. In Surat, a section of the crowd threw stones, shoes, and chappals at Mrs. Indira Gandhi when she began her address. ... Surat is the stronghold of former Deputy Premier Morarji Desai. ... Condemning the violence Mrs Gandhi said in her party’s march towards Socialism stones, brickbats and bullets would not deter her. After Mrs Gandhi’s departure old Congress sympathisers went on the rampage attacking houses of their political rivals. Police lathi-charged the 500-strong mob which set fire to daily “Pratap” Press....

In Bombay, several violent incidents were reported during the past 24 hours. In Santa Cruz area, Jan Sangh and ruling Congress supporters openly clashed with both sides opening fire injuring 15 persons. The whole trouble arose when ruling Congress supporters put up a 21 feet high board carrying slogan “Vote Indira save India”. Nearby armed Jan Sangh supporters put up another board depicting Mrs Gandhi wearing a Fez cap with symbols of the Communist Party and Dravida Munnetra Kazagham. When the two sides clashed steel-helmeted Riot Police swooped on them....

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2021