Bahraich clashes: How unrest began at Maharajganj Bazar during Durga Puja procession

LUCKNOW: A 114-second video of Ram Gopal Mishra, the young man who was killed in clashes on Sunday evening, went viral on social media on Monday.
In the video, the 22-year-old can purportedly be seen on top of a house, raising slogans and then removing a green-coloured flag displayed at the house of a resident from the minority community. Senior police officers said they will check the veracity of the video and, if necessary, include it in the probe.
Read also: Mass arson during funeral of man killed in Bahraich clashes
The unrest began in Maharajganj Bazar, where a Durga Puja procession passed through a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood.
The event, intended to mark the end of the Hindu festival, took a tragic turn when the procession's celebratory music clashed with prayer time at a nearby mosque, sparking anger. What started as a tense standoff quickly escalated into violence as stones were hurled at the crowd, followed by gunfire.
Amidst the chaos, Gopal Mishra found himself in the centre of a symbolic yet dangerous act.
In a now-surfaced video that has further stirred emotions, Mishra can purportedly be seen climbing atop a house and tearing down a green flag, waving a saffron one instead. He could also be heard raising slogans.
Also read: Victim Ram Gopal’s chest riddled with over 30 pellets
Encouraged by the crowd, Mishra's defiant act was met with a fatal consequence—he was shot moments later.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath to meet deceased youth's family
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to meet the family of Ram Gopal Mishra on Tuesday.
BJP MLA from Mahsi, Sureshwar Singh, confirmed the meeting, adding that Mishra’s family is demanding justice. Singh said, “The family has already requested justice from the chief minister, and while I’m unsure of their other demands, they will undoubtedly receive more than they anticipate.”