A picture and video from Bihar's Katihar district on the occasion of Ram Navami that shows men and women forming a human shield in front of the local mosque during the passage of the religious procession that went viral on social media is coming in for praise from all quarters.

The netizens are described as a symbol of 'goodwill' and 'religious tolerance' of Indians.

On Ram Navami, a seven-kilometer procession organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and other organizations passed through the city. It started at 1.30 pm and continued till 7 pm. During it a large number of men, women, and children participated.

The participants carried traditional weapons like lathi, swords, etc. The organizers claimed these were "weapons symbolizing Lord Ram".

The procession passed in front of two major mosques including Jama Masjid, one of which is located at Bata Chowk.

बिहार: रामनवमी शोभायात्रा पर कटिहार से आई अनोखी तस्वीर, मस्जिद के सामने महिलाओं ने बनाया मानव श्रृंखला, ताकि यात्रा में मौजूद कोई शरारती तत्व कोई शरारत ना कर सके, क्यूंकि जागरूक लोगों को पता है कि शुरुवात कौन करता है, इसलिए जो समझदार हैं वो अपनी इंसानियत का परिचय देंगे ही... RT pic.twitter.com/Jyb9Qce5gu

— Zubair (@Zubair99778) April 6, 2025

Many writers and artists shared it on their social media pages and praised it. Famous writer Asghar Wajahat, actress Swara Bhaskar, Urmila Matondkar, and Shruti Seth called it a 'ray of hope'.

Social media users like Iqbal Sheikh and Sadiq Sheikh saluted the courage of women and praised communal unity.

However, the organizing committee has clarified that this human chain was not formed for the security of the mosque. VHP District Minister Ritesh Dubey said, "We had made this arrangement for the smooth conduct of the procession and to prevent the entry of any anti-social element.

The security of the mosque has nothing to do with it."

Pawan Kumar Poddar: “Every year Bhavya Ram Navami Shobhayatra takes place in Katihar. Every year some people in Muslim dominating areas would raise provocative slogans to cause disturbance. We formed human chain to ensure every devotee was safe while passing through these areas.” https://t.co/4uigqEln57

— Sᴴᴬᴿᴹᴬ (@SharmaBharatSe) April 18, 2022

Bajrang Dal convenor Pawan Poddar told BBC Hindi, "There is no threat to the mosque from the procession. There have been incidents of provocation on some occasions in the past as well. Our effort is to ensure that there is no disturbance, so we have prepared to exercise restraint at our level.”

Katihar SDM Shankar Sharan Omi praised the event and said that the organizers took this initiative to maintain the sanctity of the mosque during the namaz.

He said, "There is a tradition of throwing Gulal and Abir during Ram Navami, so this step was taken to maintain peace around the mosque."

This is not the first time such a scene has been seen in Katihar. In 2022, on the occasion of Ram Navami, a similar human chain was formed around the mosques.

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Although different claims are being made about the picture of the human chain going viral on Ram Navami in Katihar, one thing is clear: the local citizens and the organizers took precautionary steps to avoid any kind of communal tension. This picture is not only an example of religious tolerance but also reflects a sense of social responsibility.