NEW DELHI – Muslims in a Roorkee village had to flee their homes after authorities allegedly 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, News Click reported. Those who are still left behind in the village either live alone or those whose family members have been arrested.
The police, however, refuted the allegation that bulldozers were moved to demolish Muslim homes, adding they were there for mining.
The situation was 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.
The procession was organised by residents of three villages in collaboration with some Hindu groups. On reaching Dada Jalalpur, reports 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 referring to Muslims as Pakistanis were played.
Muslims appealed to the rallyists 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 and 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 a NewsClick report, the police gave in to pressure from some BJP leaders and Hindu 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 in a NewsClick report 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.
While blaming Muslims for starting the violence, Hindus admit that stone pelting took place from both sides.
The reports said that the attacks on Muslims were inspired by the recent Bollywood movie The Kashmir Files on the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from 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,” said.
On April 17, the police registered an FIR against 52 people including Khurshid, Shahnawaz, Hussain, Paigam, Niwajish, Riyaz, Rahis and Israr.
As of now, the situation continues to be tense. Reports say Muslims haven’t yet returned citing Hindu monks demanding the arrest. They threatened to organise a mahapanchayat in the village if their demands were not met.
Muslim community in the village accused the police of bias. 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.
This article first appeared on clarionindia.net