Far-right monk Madhuram Sharan Shiva, leader of the armed monks’ group Shiv Shakti Akhada, addressed a Ramlila program and urged Hindus to arm themselves. He claimed that Hindu festivals can no longer be celebrated in several states due to the displacement of Hindus, called on the youth to fight and “eliminate jihadis,” and likened alleged opponents to demons (rakshas). He urged fathers to raise sons like Dashrath, who would “pick up arms and kill jihadis,” asserting that security depends on weapons, saying, “Without weapons, no one is safe.” The Station House Officer (SHO) of Thathiya Police Station, Jai Prakash Sharma, was also present on stage during the speech.