Lucknow, April 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):Muslims in a Roorkee village in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh had to flee their homes after authorities moved bulldozers in their locality with a threat to raze their houses if they did not surrender before police for arrest.
More than half of the Muslim population of the village has left the village. Those who are still left behind in the village either live alone or those whose family members have been arrested.
The situation got tense on April 16 when a Hanuman Jayanti procession passed through the area amidst anti-Muslims slogans. It led to clashes between Hindus and Muslims. Subsequently, the police arrested around a dozen people, most of them Muslims.
The procession was organised by residents of three villages in collaboration with some Hindutva groups. On reaching Dada Jalalpur, slogans like “Jai Shri Ram”, “Hindustan mein rahna hai toh Jai Shri Ram kehna hoga” were raised from the procession.
Hate-filled songs directed against Muslims were also played on loudspeakers as the rally passed through the Muslim area. It is evident from the videos that surfaced on social media that songs with lewd lyrics directed against the Muslims were played.
Muslims appealed to the rally participants to leave the place as it was time to break their fast but they were in no mood to relent. Soon, violence broke out with stone pelting from both sides in which 10 people were injured. Reports said vehicles were also set ablaze.
The police were reluctant to allow the procession to route through Muslim dominated areas. But according to the Indian media, the police gave in to pressure from some BJP leaders and Hindutva groups. “We put pressure on the police in the presence of the DM, DIG, we took out the yatra at 1 pm,” bragged Anil Saini, a local BJP leader.
The Muslims complained against the attack on their homes and vehicles. They also alleged that the participants in the procession indulged in loot and plunder.
“They also took away my Rs. 50,000,” Mehak Ara, a local woman was quoted by media as saying. She also said when a mob came to her neighbour Aleem’s house; he along with his wife and children jumped off roof top. His wife hurt her leg in the process and is still in the hospital.
The reports said that the attacks on Muslims were inspired by the recent controversial Bollywood movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley.
Naveen, a local Hindu, said, “Every Hindu has learned a lesson after watching that film. I felt sorry after seeing the plight of Kashmiri Muslims, but all of us have decided that these jihadis should be taught a lesson.”
On April 17, the police registered an FIR against 52 people including Khurshid, Shahnawaz, Hussain, Paigham, Niwazish, Riyaz, Rahis and Israr.
The situation still remains tense. Reports say Muslims haven’t yet returned citing Hindu monks demanding the arrest. They (Hindu monks) threatened to organise a mahapanchayat in the village if their demands were not met.
Muslim community in the village said the police was showing bias against them. So far, only Muslims have been booked and arrested despite clear evidence of involvement of Hindus in the violence. The Muslim community has written letters to the police administration about the attacks and burglary in their homes.
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