[1][2] The riots were caused by the municipal council's decision to remove the dargah (shrine) of Syed Chishti Rashiduddin, a medieval Sufi saint.

[4][6] The dargah was first mentioned in a municipal survey carried out in 1912, when Vadodara was the princely state of Baroda ruled by Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

The Supreme Court overturned the judgment on 4 April and ordered a temporary stay on demolition of illegal religious structures, due to the situation being volatile.

The police have stated that they had at first used tear gas and batons in an attempt to control the crowd, but were left with no option other than to shoot.

A Muslim man had been burned to death in his car by a 1,500 strong crowd, and cases of arson had been reported.