1989 Bhagalpur violence

The 1989 Bhagalpur violence refers to a series of communal riots that erupted in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India, in October 1989. Triggered by an altercation between Hindu and Muslim communities during the Muslim festival of Muharram, the violence escalated into large-scale riots, leading to significant loss of life and property. Over 1,000 people were killed, with thousands more displaced, marking one of the deadliest communal clashes in Indian history. The violence resulted in extensive destruction of homes and businesses, particularly in Muslim-majority areas. The government's response to the unrest, including the imposition of curfews and deployment of security forces, has been widely scrutinized. The riots left lasting scars on communal relations in the region, influencing subsequent political and social dynamics in Bihar.