[4] The Rashtriya Utsav Mandal had campaigned for permission to have a procession to celebrate the birthday of the Maratha warrior-King Shivaji, which would pass through an area where the residents were predominantly Muslims, and by a mosque.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 people had travelled from villages close to Bhiwandi, and once the procession began, some Muslims threw stones which triggered the violence.

As violence ensued, fire engines and ambulances were brought in from Bombay, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, Ambarnath and other nearby places.

[10] Following the incident, the Indian government formed a Commission headed by Justice Dinshah Pirosha Madon.

[11] The report was highly critical of the police, stating that their action showed a clear "anti-Muslim bias".