Agartala, 22nd August 2026 : Tension has reportedly surfaced in Charilam over the organisation of the traditional Jhulan Yatra festival dedicated to Radha-Krishna, following an alleged assault on Prabhu Janardan Govinda Das, associated with the Jagannath Temple in Charilam.
According to allegations, Janardan Govinda Das was assaulted at Charilam market by a group of people allegedly led by BJP Charilam Mandal President Tapas Das. A police complaint has subsequently been lodged against Tapas Das and others in connection with the incident. However, the accused have not been arrested so far, according to the complainant.
Janardan Govinda Das has reportedly been organising the Jhulan Yatra at Charilam for the past two years. On Friday, he obtained permission from the Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate to organise this year’s festival. According to the complaint, he was carrying the permission document when he reached Charilam market and was allegedly attacked.
Local residents reportedly intervened and rescued him before taking him to hospital. Police also reached the spot after receiving information about the incident.
The complainant has alleged that the dispute arose over control of the Jhulan Yatra and that Tapas Das wanted to organise the festival under his own banner. Further allegations have been made that attempts were being made to collect money from local residents and business establishments in the name of the festival. These allegations, however, are yet to be independently established.
The incident has sparked questions among locals over the alleged involvement of a ruling party functionary in a dispute concerning a religious festival and over the police response to the complaint. Further investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances behind the alleged assault and the dispute over the organisation of the Jhulan Yatra.
