Editing 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots

{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{update|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title        = 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots
| partof       = [[Religious violence in India]]
| image        = Muzaffarnagar district.svg
| caption      = Location of riots
| date         = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|08|27}} – {{End date|2013|9|17|df=yes}}
| place        = [[Muzaffarnagar district|Muzaffarnagar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| coordinates  = {{coord|29.472332|N|77.708874|E|display=inline,title}}
| causes       = altercation between Hindu and Muslim youth at Kawal village on 27 August<ref>{{cite web| title=Journalist and a photographer killed in fresh communal violence in Muzaffarnagar, army deployed as curfew imposed|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/journalist-photographer-killed-communal-violence-muzaffarnagar-uttar-pradesh/1/308779.html|work=India Today|access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/muzaffarnagar-riots-muslims-displaced-fe-idINDEE98I0CA20130919|title=Fear stalks displaced Muslims after Muzaffarnagar riots|first=Nita|last=Bhalla|work=Reuters}}</ref>
| side1        = 
| side2        = 
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| leadfigures1 = 
| leadfigures2 = 
| leadfigures3 = 
| howmany1     = 
| howmany2     = 
| howmany3     = 
| casualties1  = 
| casualties2  = 
| casualties3  = 
| fatalities   = 62<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Government-releases-data-of-riot-victims-identifying-religion/articleshow/22998550.cms |title=Government releases data of riot victims identifying religion |work=The Times of India|date=24 September 2013 |access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref>
| injuries     = 93<ref name="arrest">{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muzaffarnagar-violence-Over-10000-displaced-10000-arrested/articleshow/22499187.cms | title=Muzaffarnagar violence: Over 10,000 displaced; 10,000 arrested | work=The Times of India| date=12 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013}}</ref>
| arrests      = 1,000 booked<ref name=toiup/>
| detentions       = 10,000<ref name=arrest/>
| casualties_label = Violence and action
| notes            = 
}}
{{Violence against Muslims in India}}
<!--DO NOT ADD BOLD TITLE see [[WP:BOLDTITLE]]; the article is not about the title of the wikipedia article-->The clashes between the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] and [[Islam|Muslim]] communities in [[Muzaffarnagar district]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]] in August–September 2013, resulted in at least 62 deaths including 42 Muslims and 20 Hindus<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/> and injured 93 and left more than 50,000 Muslims displaced.<ref>{{cite news|title=Troops deployed to quell deadly communal clashes between Hindus, Muslims in north India|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/troops-deployed-to-quell-deadly-communal-clashes-between-hindus-muslims-in-north-india/2013/09/08/66e33f48-1854-11e3-961c-f22d3aaf19ab_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909081324/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/troops-deployed-to-quell-deadly-communal-clashes-between-hindus-muslims-in-north-india/2013/09/08/66e33f48-1854-11e3-961c-f22d3aaf19ab_story.html|archive-date=9 September 2013|agency=Associated Press|access-date=8 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="fp1">{{cite web |author=Adrija Bose |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/ibn7-journalist-killed-in-up-communal-riots-army-clamps-curfew-1092877.html |title=Firstpost India IBN7 journalist killed in UP communal riots, Army clamps curfewIBN7 journalist killed in UP communal riots, Army clamps curfew |work=Firstpost |date=8 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909075308/http://www.firstpost.com/india/ibn7-journalist-killed-in-up-communal-riots-army-clamps-curfew-1092877.html |archive-date=9 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="hindu2">{{cite web|author=Ahmed Ali Fayyaz |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/9-killed-in-communal-riots-in-muzaffarnagar-curfew-clamped-army-deployed/1166053/ |title=9 killed in communal riots in Muzaffarnagar, curfew clamped, army deployed |work=The Indian Express |date=8 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013}}</ref><ref name=htt>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Fresh-clashes-in-UP-s-Muzaffarnagar-leave-26-dead-Army-deployed-in-affected-areas/Article1-1118891.aspx |title=Fresh clashes in UPs Muzaffarnagar leave 26 dead, Army deployed in affected areas |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909095145/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Fresh-clashes-in-UP-s-Muzaffarnagar-leave-26-dead-Army-deployed-in-affected-areas/Article1-1118891.aspx |archive-date=9 September 2013 }}</ref> By date 17 September, the [[curfew]] was lifted from all riot affected areas and the army was also withdrawn.<ref name="ht18">{{cite web|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: normalcy returns, army leaves |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Muzaffarnagar-riots-normalcy-returns-army-leaves/Article1-1123633.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=18 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920012719/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Muzaffarnagar-riots-normalcy-returns-army-leaves/Article1-1123633.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2013 }}</ref>

The riot has been described as "the worst violence in Uttar Pradesh in recent history", with the army, as a result, being deployed in the state for the first time in last 20 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21586587-next-years-election-may-be-fuelling-hindu-muslim-violence-uttar-pradesh-old-curse-returns|title=An old curse returns|website=The Economist}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of India]], while hearing petitions in relation to the riots, held the [[Akhilesh Yadav]]-led [[Samajwadi Party]] [[prima facie]] guilty of negligence in preventing the violence and ordered it to immediately arrest all those accused irrespective of their political affiliation. The Court also blamed the Central government for its failure to provide intelligence inputs to the Samajwadi Party-governed state government in time to help sound alerts.<ref name=IE2632014>{{cite news|last=Anand|first=Utkarsh|title=SC holds Akhilesh govt guilty of negligence, orders arrest of all Muzaffarnagar accused|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sc-holds-akhilesh-govt-guilty-of-negligence-orders-arrest-of-all-muzaffarnagar-accused/|access-date=8 April 2014|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=26 March 2014}}</ref> In 2021, a local court allowed the [[Yogi Adityanath]]-led [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] government to withdraw all cases against BJP leaders involved in the riots.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.thewire.in/article/law/2013-muzaffarnagar-riots-bjp-sangit-som-bhartendu-singh-sadhvi-prachi-suresh-rana|title=2013 Muzaffarnagar riots: Court allows to withdraw cases against 12 BJP leaders|website=The Wire}}</ref>

==Initial clashes==
On 21 August 2013, communal clashes were reported from [[Muzaffarnagar]] and police registered cases against 150 people and 14 persons were taken into custody. Clashes between two communities, Hindus 
and Muslims, in Shamli and Muzaffarnagar grew on 27 August 2013. The original cause of the rioting is disputed according to bipartisan claims largely concerning the affected communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/the-mystery-of-kawwal-were-muzaffarnagar-riots-based-on-distortion-of-facts-418666 |title=The Mystery of Kawwal: Were Muzaffarnagar riots based on distortion of facts?    |publisher=NDTV|date=14 September 2013 |access-date=13 July 2018}}</ref> In this case, the cause of this rioting alternates between a traffic accident and an [[eve-teasing]] incident. According to the first version, the cause was a minor traffic accident involving some youths which then spiralled out of control when it eventually took on religious overtones.<ref name="firstpost.com">{{cite news|author=Raman Kirpal |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/muzaffarnagar-riots-how-bjp-sp-and-bsp-fanned-the-flames-1110023.html |title=How SP, BJP, BSP politicians gave their blessings as Muzaffarnagar burned |work=[[First Post]] |access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> In the second version, a girl from the [[Hindu Jat]] community was allegedly harassed in an eve-teasing incident by one Muslim youth in Kawal village.<ref name="mint20130912">{{cite news | title=Communalism gains new ground in rural India | url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Lmv1m7PQ9zb9YQlWidPwzO/Communalism-gains-new-ground-in-rural-India.html | date=12 September 2013 | last=Varma | first=Gyan | work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Live Mint]] | access-date=12 September 2013 | quote=The violence erupted after a girl belonging to the dominant Jat community was subjected to street harassment by some young Muslims in Kawal village. The incident led to clashes between Jats and Muslims in the village in which three people died.}}</ref><ref name="dna20130912">{{ cite news | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1887698/report-dna-in-muzaffarnagar-sp-bid-to-gain-foothold-in-muzaffarnagar-behind-deadly-riots | title=dna in Muzaffarnagar: SP bid to gain foothold in Muzaffarnagar behind deadly riots? | date=12 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013 | last=Sagar | first=Pradip R. | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]}}</ref> In retaliation, Hindu relatives of the girl in question, Sachin Singh and Gaurav Singh,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/the-muzaffarnagar-aftermath/1/10105.html#photo9 | title=The Muzaffarnagar aftermath | work=India Today | date=13 September 2013 | access-date=13 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="itvnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/timeline-of-muzaffarnagar-riots-eve-teasing-incident-led-to-mur-27571.html |title=Timeline of Muzaffarnagar riots: eve-teasing incident led to murders, then riots |work=India TV News |date=8 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013}}</ref> killed the youth named Shahnawaz Qureshi.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/the-muzaffarnagar-aftermath/1/10105.html#photo6 | title=The Muzaffarnagar aftermath | work=India Today | date=13 September 2013 | access-date=13 September 2013}}</ref> The two brothers were lynched by a Muslim mob when they tried to escape.<ref name="itvnews"/> The police arrested eleven members of the girl's family for killing the Muslim youth.<ref name="dna20130912"/> According to [[Zee News]] report some locals, the police did not act against the killers of the Hindu brothers.<ref name="dna20130912"/> According to police records, Gaurav and Sachin picked a fight with Shahnawaz over a motorcycle accident. While it has been widely reported that the fight was sparked off when Shahnawaz harassed Gaurav and Sachin's cousin sister, the [[First Information Report|FIR]] in the murder makes no mention of sexual harassment or molestation.<ref name="firstpost.com"/>According to the other version the girl who was allegedly harassed by Shahnawaz commented that she had not gone to Kawal or known anybody by name of Shahnawaz.<ref name="ndtv14">{{cite news | url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/the-mystery-of-kawwal-were-muzaffarnagar-riots-based-on-distortion-of-facts-418666?pfrom=home-topstories | title=The Mystery of Kawwal: Were Muzaffarnagar riots based on distortion of facts? | publisher=NDTV | date=14 September 2013 | access-date=15 September 2013}}</ref> In the FIR registered for Shahnawaz's death, five people along with Sachin and Gaurav were named as responsible for his death. The reports mentions that the seven men entered Shahnawaz's home, took him out and killed him with swords and knives; he died on the way to the hospital.<ref name="ndtv14" /> In the FIR registers for Sachin and Gaurav's death, seven other men were reported to be responsible; that episode was sparked by an altercation after Mujassim and Gaurav were involved in a bike accident.<ref name="ndtv14" />

After news of the killings spread, the members of both communities attacked each other. The police took possession of the three dead bodies, and temporarily brought the situation under control. The authorities also deployed [[Provincial Armed Constabulary]] personnel to Kawal.<ref name="Mid-Day-Aug-28">{{cite news | url = http://www.mid-day.com/news/2013/aug/280813-three-killed-in-up-after-girls-harassment.htm | title =  Three killed in UP after girl's harassment | date = 28 August 2013 | newspaper = Mid-Day }}</ref>

In September 2013, fresh riots sparked off and around 11 people including TV journalist Rajesh Verma were killed and more than 34 were injured after which indefinite curfew was clamped and the army deployed to help maintain law and order.<ref name=IT18913>{{cite news|title=Army deployed in Muzaffarnagar after 11 killed in clashes, UP on high alert|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/muzaffarnagar-communal-violence-army-curfew-ibn7-correspondent-rajesh-verma/1/308815.html|access-date=8 April 2014|newspaper=India Today|date=18 September 2013}}</ref>

==Gathering of masses==
The killing of the three youths in [[Kawal]] village started echoing across the district. On 30 August, two days after the incident, despite ban on assembly of crowd, Muslim religious leaders gathered after Friday prayers and local [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] (BSP) and [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] leaders had hijacked the Muslim meeting demanding justice for the Kawal incident and made inflammatory speeches.<ref name="ndtvmr1">{{cite web|author=Sreenivasan Jain |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/muzaffarnagar-riots-a-meeting-after-friday-prayers-exploited-by-politicians-416915 |title=Muzaffarnagar riots: a meeting after Friday prayers exploited by politicians |publisher=NDTV |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/muzaffarnagar-riots-trial-against-3-bsp-leaders-ex-cong-mp-to-start-on-jan-27/articleshow/73339436.cms|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: Trial against 3 BSP leaders, ex-Congress MP to start on Jan 27|work=The Times of India|date=18 January 2020 }}</ref> Also, local [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) leaders allegedly gave an incendiary speech instigating the Hindu farmers on 31 August. A [[First Information Report]] (FIR) has been lodged against all the leaders. After the meeting, the farmers were attacked and killed on their way home by mob with assault rifles and weapons.<ref name="dna14"/><ref name="ndtvmr1" />

==Jauli Canal Incident==
Clashes between the two communities occurred at low frequencies for the next two weeks. The Beti Bachao Mahapanchayat, attended by lacs of people, proved to be inflammatory as it was allowed to be held by the district administration, despite imposition of 144 Crpc in the area, around 2,000 Jats returning from Panchayat were ambushed by  Muslim<ref name="tehelka1">{{cite web|title=Everybody Loves a Good Riot|url=http://www.tehelka.com/everybody-loves-a-good-riot/|work=Tehelka|access-date=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921073451/http://www.tehelka.com/everybody-loves-a-good-riot/|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> mob armed with [[assault rifle]]s and other sophisticated weapons near [[Jouli|Jauli Canal]] on 7 September.<ref name="dna14">{{cite web|title=dna special: Jolly canal killings triggered the Muzaffarnagar riots|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1888043/report-dna-special-jolly-canal-killings-triggered-the-muzaffarnagar-riots|work=DNA|access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref> The mobs had set fire on 18 tractor trollies and 3 motorbikes. According to an eyewitness account, the bodies were dumped into the [[canal]].<ref name="dna14" /> Although six bodies were recovered, it was rumoured that hundreds were missing.<ref name="dna14" /> Bodies of three Jats were found at the site of violence and three Hindus bodies were fished out from Jauli Canal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/3-bodies-of-jat-victims-fished-out-of-muzaffarnagar-canal-say-police/1169106/ |title=3 bodies of Jat victims fished out of Muzaffarnagar canal, say police |work=The Indian Express|date=14 September 2013 |access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> District Magistrate agreed that many bodies were still missing, but doubted whether the missing people were killed or had migrated earlier from the village.<ref name="dna14" /> Survivors of the Jauli Canal incident added that the policemen who were watching the assault did not help the victims, as they had said that 'they do not have orders to act'.<ref name="tehelka1" /> This Jauli Canal incident aroused Jats to go on a rampage against Muslims with the claim that the latter were responsible for the killings.<ref name="dna14" /> This led to the riots, which killed around 43 muslim people and 20 hindu (including a news reporter and a photographer).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=10 killed in communal clashes in UP's Muzaffarnagar, violence spreads to Meerut villages|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/10-killed-in-communal-clashes-in-UP-s-Muzaffarnagar-violence-spreads-to-Meerut-villages/Article1-1118891.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910104610/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/10-killed-in-communal-clashes-in-UP-s-Muzaffarnagar-violence-spreads-to-Meerut-villages/Article1-1118891.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2013|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=8 September 2013}}</ref> The casualties occurred before the Army was deployed and a curfew was imposed in Muzaffarnagar and its surrounding Shamli district.

Even with the curfew and use of army the clashes continued for the next three days, with casualties increasing to 43 by 12 September 2013. A state home department official said that 38 people died in Muzaffarnagar, 3 in Baghpat, and one each in Saharanpur and Meerut.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2013-09-10|title=Death toll rises after riots in India's Muzaffarnagar.|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-24038749|access-date=2021-01-25}}</ref>


<!--collapse timeline until items can be integrated into text.
==Timeline of the riots==
''' 27 August'''
* Three youths were killed in a brawl that broke out over an alleged eve teasing incident. The incident was reported differently in local and national media:
** One version tells of a Muslim youth who was caught harassing a Hindu girl. Her brother and his friend beat up the alleged molester and shot him dead, but were then lynched by a mob.<ref name="itvnews" /> 
** According to the local police superintendent, a resident of Malakpura village was told by his sister that a boy was harassing her. Enraged at this, he, and a friend attacked the alleged harasser with a knife and later shot him. As the two tried to flee the crime scene, they were overpowered by the villagers and were beaten to death.<ref name="Mid-Day-Aug-28"/> 
** According to another version, the dispute broke out after their motorbikes collided with each other, leading to an argument, and then violence.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/three-killed-in-clash-over-minor-dispute-in-up_872125.html | title = Three killed in clash over minor dispute in UP | date = 27 August 2013 | publisher = Zee News }}</ref>
'''28 August'''
*  A mob returning from cremation of the Hindu boys was involved in arson.<ref name="itvnews" />{{cn|date=September 2013}}

'''29 August'''
* Incidents of pelting with stones took place between the two communities.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''30 August'''
* A huge crowd gathered after Friday prayers in Shaheed Chowk from minority community.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''31 August'''
* [[Jat people|Jat community]] organised a [[panchayat]] seeking justice for death of their two youth on 27 August. They also demanded the removal of Superintendent of Police of Shamli district. Also, a mahapanchayat was planned to be held on 7 September at Nagla Mandaur.<ref name="tehelka" />
* Mob set car on fire and attacks its occupants.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''1 September'''
* Uttar Pradesh Police filed FIRs against people who gave speeches at [[Shaheed Chowk]] and [[Nangla Mandoud]].<ref name="itvnews" />

'''2 September'''
* Mobs broke walls of worship places in [[Sanjhak]] and [[Titavi]].<ref name="itvnews" />
* [[BJP]] calls for bandh.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''3 September'''
* Case lodged against MLA [[Sangeet Som]] and many others for re-sharing a fake video of [[Kawal]] incident.<ref name="itvnews" /> The video was a banned clip from Pakistan and it was uploaded to [[Facebook]] by some random person with a caption of [[Kawal]] incident. It went viral and was shared by hundreds of Facebook users including Sangeet Som.<ref>{{cite web|title=How a Fake Video on Facebook fuelled the Riots at Muzaffarnagar ?|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/09/how-a-facebook-video-fuelled-the-riots-at-muzaffarnagar/|access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> 
* Violence in [[Shamli]].<ref name="itvnews" />

'''4 September'''
* Sporadic violence reported in Muzaffarnagar.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''5 September'''
* Call for Mahabandh across Muzaffarnagar district.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''6 September'''
* [[Bharatiya Kisan Union]] staged a sit-in outside [[Nangla Mandoud]] jail.<ref name="itvnews" />

'''7 September'''
* Police attacked and firing reported from both sides of community alongside arson.<ref name="itvnews" />
* [[IBN7|IBN7 channel’s]] correspondent Rajesh Verma was killed while trying to film the area. A [[photographer]] Israr<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/what-led-to-the-muzaffarnagar-communal-riots/|title=What led to the Muzaffarnagar communal riots – Virendra Nath Bhatt – Tehelka – Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|website=tehelka.com|access-date=8 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112232933/http://www.tehelka.com/what-led-to-the-muzaffarnagar-communal-riots/|archive-date=12 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> hired by the police was also killed. Nine others were killed<ref name="auto"/>
* Army called in and town put under indefinite curfew.<ref name="itvnews" />
* Atleast 30 people were arrested in connection with the riots.<ref name="hindu1">{{cite web|title=12 killed, 40 injured in communal riots in Muzaffarnagar|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/12-killed-40-injured-in-communal-riots-in-muzaffarnagar/article5106970.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=8 September 2013}}</ref><ref name=htt/>
* Death toll recorded 13.<ref name=htt/>

'''8 September'''
* Police imposed curfew in three area, Civil lines, Kotwali and Nai Mandi of [[Muzaffarnagar]].<ref name=htt/>
* Army Personnels and battalions of [[CRPF]]  were deployed to control the situation.<ref name=htt/>
* Incidents of violence were reported from [[Sisauli]], [[Shahpur, Uttar Pradesh|Shahpur]], Fugna, Kalapar and Dhaurakala areas of Muzaffarnagar.<ref name=htt/>
* Death toll rises to 26.,<ref name=htt/>

'''9 September'''
* Governor [[B. L. Joshi]] submitted report to Center, said failure of State Government.<Ref name="ibnlivegov"> {{cite news|last=PTI and HT|first=Correspondent|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: UP Governor pulls up Akhilesh government|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muzaffarnagar-riots-up-governor-pulls-up-akhilesh-government/420526-3-242.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912042959/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muzaffarnagar-riots-up-governor-pulls-up-akhilesh-government/420526-3-242.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2013|access-date=9 September 2013|newspaper=IBN Live|date=9 September 2013}}</ref>
* Top Police officers transferred and 200 people arrested so far. All political leaders prohibited from entering the region.<ref name="ht">{{cite news|last=PTI and HT|first=Correspondent|title=Muzaffarnagar violence toll reaches 28, police detain RLD chief, son|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Muzaffarnagar-communal-violence-toll-climbs-to-28-Ajit-Singh-son-detained/Article1-1119498.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910143547/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Muzaffarnagar-communal-violence-toll-climbs-to-28-Ajit-Singh-son-detained/Article1-1119498.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2013|access-date=9 September 2013|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=9 September 2013}}</ref>
* Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] speaks to State Chief Minister [[Akhilesh Yadav]] asking about the steps taken to control the riots.<ref name="fplive">{{cite news|last=Bose|first=Adrija|title=Muzaffarnagar live: UP govt appoints judicial panel to probe violence|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/muzaffarnagar-live-up-govt-appoints-judicial-panel-to-probe-violence-1092923.html|access-date=9 September 2013|newspaper=Firstpost|date=9 September 2013}}</ref>
* Union Home Secretary meets with Cabinet Secretary and Intelligence Bureau to review the situation in [[Muzaffarnagar]].<ref name="fplive"/>
* Social media websites like [[Facebook]] is being monitored.<ref name="fplive"/>
* Death toll touched 31.<ref name=znn>{{cite web | url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/muzaffarnagar-live-death-toll-mounts-to-31-pm-talks-to-akhilesh-yadav_875153.html | title=Muzaffarnagar Live: Death toll mounts to 31, PM talks to Akhilesh Yadav | publisher=Zee News | date=9 September 2013 | access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref>

'''10 September'''
* Army staged flag marches and Curfew remained in force in Muzaffarnagar.<ref name="fplive"/>
* A PIL demanding CBI probe into the riots was filed in the Allahabad High Court today.<ref name="fplive"/>
* [[Manmohan Singh|PM]] announces 2 [[lakh]] rupees compensation for the relatives of those dead and 50000 Rupees for those injured in the riots.<ref name="fplive"/>
* Death toll raises to 38.<ref name="fplive"/>
* Authorities cancelled 1,744 arms licenses in [[Bhorkala]], Shahpur and Phugana.<ref name="fp10">{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/muzaffarnagar-2-more-killed-as-violence-spreads-to-other-areas-1097191.html|title=Muzaffarnagar: 2 more killed as violence spreads to other areas|date=10 September 2013|website=firstpost.com}}</ref>

'''11 September'''
* Uttar Pradesh police had recovered AK47 catridges from the riot-affected areas, suspecting weapons to had been used in the riots<ref name="ibnlive11">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/police-suspect-use-of-ak-47-rifles-in-muzaffarnagar-riots/421250-3-242.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914020712/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/police-suspect-use-of-ak-47-rifles-in-muzaffarnagar-riots/421250-3-242.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-14|title=Police suspect use of AK 47 rifles in Muzaffarnagar riots|website=News18}}</ref>-->

==Sexual violence==
The first case of gang-rape was registered in the aftermath of the riots from the village of Fugana in Jogiya Kheda.<ref>{{cite news|last=Siddiqui|first=Furqan Ameen|title=UP turns its back on Muzaffarnagar's gang-rape victims|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muzaffarnagaraftermath/muzaffarnagar-s-gang-rape-victims-sentenced-to-silence/article1-1159173.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205170715/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muzaffarnagaraftermath/muzaffarnagar-s-gang-rape-victims-sentenced-to-silence/article1-1159173.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2013|access-date=7 December 2013|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=4 December 2013}}</ref> Later two more cases of rape were registered in October.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tehelka.com/two-fresh-cases-of-gangrape-registered-in-muzaffarnagar |title=Two fresh cases of gangrape registered in Muzaffarnagar |access-date=7 December 2013 |newspaper=Tehelka |date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212213719/http://www.tehelka.com/two-fresh-cases-of-gangrape-registered-in-muzaffarnagar/ |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was reported on 15 November 2013 that a total of 13 rape and sexual harassment cases were registered over the past two months of rioting and the report named 111 people in the incidents but no arrests had been made till then.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=No one held in rape cases of Muzaffarnagar riots|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/no-one-held-in-rape-cases-of-muzaffarnagar-riots_890071.html|access-date=7 December 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=15 November 2013}}</ref>

==Aftermath==

===Mahapanchayat in Sardhana===
A ''Mahapanchayat'' (great council) of 40 villages was held in Khera, [[Sardhana]] on 29 September 2013 to protest against the Uttar Pradesh government charging the local [[BJP]] MLA [[Sangeet Singh Som]] under the [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]]. The crowd became violent when the police began to brandish sticks. The situation turned tense when a rumour spread that a youth injured in police action had died. Crowd set fire police jeeps and other vehicles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-30/india/42534627_1_police-clashes-police-action-mahapanchayat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003024713/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-30/india/42534627_1_police-clashes-police-action-mahapanchayat|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2013|title=20 injured in police clashes over Meerut mahapanchayat|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=30 September 2013 }}</ref>

===Repercussions===
On 30 October 3 people were killed and 1 injured after a clash between two communities in Mohammadpur Raisingh village of Muzaffarnagar district. Police forces were deployed and an alert was sounded in the entire district. The incident is widely seen as repercussion of the violence in September.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fresh Communal Violence erupts in Muzaffarnagar, 3 Dead|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/10/fresh-communal-violence-erupts-in-muzaffarnagar-3-dead/|work=Biharprabha News|access-date=31 October 2013}}</ref>
On 4 July 2014, a local court has recorded the statement of a witness and deferred till 16 July the hearing in the Kawal killing case here.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.abplive.in/crime/2014/07/04/article356007.ece/Court-defers-hearing-in-Muzaffarnagar-riots-case-till-July-16|publisher=ABP Live |title=Court defers hearing in Muzaffarnagar riots case till July 16|access-date=4 July 2014 }}</ref>

==Action==
Approximately 1,000 army troops were deployed and curfew was imposed in the violence-hit areas. 10,000 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel, 1,300 [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF) troopers and 1,200 [[Rapid Action Force]] (RAF) personnel were deployed to control the situation.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tehelka.com/muzaffarnagar-violence-claims-26-lives-firs-agst-4-bjp-mlas/ | title=Curfew in force, toll in Muzaffarnagar climbs to 28 | work=Tehelka | date=9 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928025312/http://www.tehelka.com/muzaffarnagar-violence-claims-26-lives-firs-agst-4-bjp-mlas/ | archive-date=28 September 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Around 10,000 to 12,000 preventive arrests were made by the police as of 11 September 2013. They cancelled 2,300 arms licenses, seized 2,000 arms, and filed seven cases under the [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]].<ref name=arrest/>

Approximately 50,000 people have been displaced.<ref name="ht18" /> Some of them took shelter at ten state-run relief camps.<ref name=arrest/>

By 31 August 2013, five FIRs were registered in connection with the case and eleven people have so far been arrested and booked under various charges, including that of rioting and murder. Police arrested several Bhartiya Janta Party leaders for inciting communal violence including [[Sangeet Som]], Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Dharamvir Baliyan, party's district president Ajit Rathi and ten other political activists when they tried to visit communal violence hit Kawal village of Muzaffarnagar district.<ref name=NC31aug13>{{cite news|title=Former UP Minister, 11 others held for trying to go to Muzaffarnagar's Kawal village|url=http://www.niticentral.com/2013/08/31/former-up-minister-11-others-held-for-trying-to-go-to-muzaffarnagars-kawal-village-126990.html|access-date=8 April 2014|newspaper=Niti Central|date=31 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223130028/http://www.niticentral.com/2013/08/31/former-up-minister-11-others-held-for-trying-to-go-to-muzaffarnagars-kawal-village-126990.html|archive-date=23 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Investigation==
Seventeen [[First Information Report|FIR]]s have been lodged against leaders including one for the [[Khap|Mahapanchayat]] (great council) which organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union leaders.<ref name=toiup>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muzaffarnagar-clashes-UP-on-edge-Akhilesh-govt-struggles-to-contain-riots/articleshow/22440056.cms|title=Muzaffarnagar clashes: UP on edge, Akhilesh govt struggles to contain riots|work=The Times of India|access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/21-killed-in-spiralling-violence-in-muzaffarnagar/article5106927.ece | title=Muzaffarnagar toll mounts to 21 | work=The Hindu | date=8 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013 | location=Chennai, India | first=Devesh K. | last=Pandey}}</ref> The [[Uttar Pradesh]] Government announced a one-member judicial commission composed of Justice Vishnu Sahay, a retired [[Allahabad High Court]] judge on 9 September 2013. The commission has been asked to submit a report about the violence within two months.<ref name="fplive">{{cite news|last=Bose|first=Adrija|title=Muzaffarnagar live: UP govt appoints judicial panel to probe violence|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/muzaffarnagar-live-up-govt-appoints-judicial-panel-to-probe-violence-1092923.html|access-date=9 September 2013|newspaper=Firstpost|date=9 September 2013}}</ref> The UP government also removed five senior officials of the police and the administration from Muzaffarnagar for their poor handling of the situation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Poor riot management: Uttar Pradesh government removes five senior officials|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-10/lucknow/41936221_1_muzaffarnagar-dig-saharanpur-uttar-pradesh-government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923191741/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-10/lucknow/41936221_1_muzaffarnagar-dig-saharanpur-uttar-pradesh-government|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2013|access-date=11 September 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 September 2013}}</ref>

===Misuse of social media===
Chief Judicial Magistrate issued non-bailable warrants against 16 politicians. On 20 August 2013, BSP MP Kadir Rana was booked for his alleged [[Hate speech laws in India|hate speech]] in Khalapar area of the city. He was absconding but surrendered on 17 December 2013 and was sent to judicial custody.<ref name=17deceIBN>{{cite news|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: BSP MP surrenders, sent to 14-day judicial custody|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muzaffarnagar-riots-bsp-mp-surrenders-sent-to-14day-judicial-custody/440150-3-242.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408224214/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muzaffarnagar-riots-bsp-mp-surrenders-sent-to-14day-judicial-custody/440150-3-242.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2014|access-date=8 April 2014|newspaper=IBN 7|date=17 December 2013}}</ref> BJP MLA Sangeet Som was arrested for allegedly uploading a fake video that shows a Muslim mob brutally murdering a Hindu youth and delivering provocative speeches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Authorities seek video conferencing of Som, Rana in riots case|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/authorities-seek-video-conferencing-of-som-rana-in-riots-case-113100200543_1.html
|date=2 October 2013|author=Press Truth of India|work=Business Standard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=VIP treatment to HateMongers BJP MLA Sangeet Som and Rana|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/muzaffarnagar-riots-bjp-mlas-sangeet-som-suresh-rana-vip-treatment-alleged-hate-mongers/1/311132.html|location=New Delhi |date= 22 September 2013|work= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/bjp-mla-sangeet-som-booked-under-national-security-act_878868.html |title=Muzaffarnagar riots: BJP MLA Sangeet Som booked under National Security Act |publisher=[[Zee News]] |access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: BJP MLA Sangeet Som booked under National Security Act|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/bjp-mla-som-booked-under-national-security-act/article5163759.ece|publisher=Zee News|date=24 September 2013|location=Muzaffarnagar}}</ref>

===Sting operation===
A sting operation done by ''[[Headlines Today]]'' revealed that UP Cabinet Minister [[Azam Khan (politician)|Azam Khan]] ordered police officers to release Muslims and not take action against them.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://headlinestoday.intoday.in/programme/muzaffarnagar-riots-operation-riot-for-votes-azam-khan-uttar-pradesh-police/1/310384.html | title=Cops expose Azam Khan's role in Muzaffarnagar violence | publisher=Headlines Today | date=18 September 2013 | access-date=18 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Azam-Khan-had-interfered-with-police-probe-Jats-tell-Congress-leaders/articleshow/22677075.cms | title=Azam Khan had interfered with police probe, Jats tell Congress leaders | work=The Times of India| date=18 September 2013 | access-date=18 September 2013}}</ref> However, Azam Khan has denied the charges.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Muzaffarnagar-Azam-Khan-says-punish-me-if-guilty/Article1-1123760.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919114816/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Muzaffarnagar-Azam-Khan-says-punish-me-if-guilty/Article1-1123760.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=19 September 2013 | title=Muzaffarnagar: Azam Khan says punish me if guilty | work=Hindustan Times| date=18 September 2013 | access-date=18 September 2013}}</ref>

==Response==
Political parties such as [[Bahujan Samaj Party]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1886295/report-muzaffarnagar-clash-bahujan-samaj-party-demands-dismissal-of-up-government | title=Muzaffarnagar clash: Bahujan Samaj Party demands dismissal of UP government | work=DNA India | date=8 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013}}</ref> [[Bharatiya Janata Party]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/bjp-demands-dismissal-of-up-government/article5114925.ece | title=BJP demands dismissal of UP government | work=The Hindu | date=11 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013 | location=Chennai, India}}</ref> [[Rashtriya Lok Dal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/muzaffarnagar-clashes-rld-chief-ajit-singh-demands-president-s-rule-in-up-113090800631_1.html | title=Muzaffarnagar clashes: RLD chief Ajit Singh demands President's Rule in UP | work=Business Standard | date=8 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013}}</ref> and Muslim organizations including [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind|Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/muzaffarnagar-riots-jamiat-demands-dismissal-of-akhilesh-govt/article5119739.ece | title=Muzaffarnagar riots: Jamiat demands dismissal of Akhilesh govt. | work=The Hindu | date=12 September 2013 | access-date=12 September 2013 | location=Chennai, India}}</ref> demanded the dismissal of ruling [[Samajwadi Party]] government and imposition of [[President's rule]] in the state.

The failure of UP government to take prompt action is usually attributed to Akhilesh Yadav's indecision. According to a report in [[The Caravan]], one reason for the hesitation may have been the response to a law and order directive weeks before the riots. Despite a ban on the activities of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, many of the organisations activists' managed to reach Ayodhya for a campaign. Akhilesh's government may have feared a similar undermining of their authority if they tried to ban the meeting of ''Mahapanchayat''<ref name="Dixit"/>''.''

Home Minister [[Sushilkumar Shinde]] informed the press that he had already warned the Uttar Pradesh government about the escalating communal tensions there, for which Akhilesh Yadav had promised preventive measures.<ref name="ibnlive">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muzaffarnagar-riots-blame-game-continues-as-death-toll-rises-to-31/420702-37-64.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911135918/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muzaffarnagar-riots-blame-game-continues-as-death-toll-rises-to-31/420702-37-64.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2013|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: Blame game continues as death toll rises to 31|date=9 September 2013 |access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref>

Senior [[Samajwadi Party]] leader and Minority Welfare Minister [[Azam Khan (politician)|Azam Khan]] was absent from Party's national executive meeting which was held at [[Agra]]. He is reportedly unhappy with the manner in which the district administration handled the situation in Muzaffarnagar.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/azam-khan-skips-agra-meet/article5116383.ece|title=Azam Khan's absence sets rumour mills churning|work=The Hindu |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=12 September 2013|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

[[Sompal|Sompal Shastri]], who was a candidate of [[Samajwadi Party]] from [[Baghpat]], refused to contest [[2014 Indian general election|2014 Loksabha polls]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/lucknow/42080851_1_baghpat-sp-government-samajwadi-party|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113125443/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/lucknow/42080851_1_baghpat-sp-government-samajwadi-party|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=In wake of Muzaffarnagar riots, Sompal Shastri refuses to be SP candidateg|date=15 September 2013 }}</ref>

In a Public Interest Litigation filed by a victim of the violence, Mohammed Haroon and others in the Supreme Court, the number of deaths was claimed to be over 200.<ref name="Dixit">{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/everybodys-brother-akhilesh-yadav|title=Akhilesh Yadav in the family business|last=Dixit|first=Neha|website=The Caravan|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref>

==Relief camps==
State Government has organised relief camps in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts for riot victims of 9,000 families, with over 50,000 members.
<ref name=camps1>
{{cite web
|title=38,000 in relief camps, most not yet ready to return home
|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/38000-in-relief-camps-most-not-yet-ready-to-return-home/1169138/
|access-date=14 September 2013}}
</ref>
According to district magistrates of [[Muzaffarnagar]] and [[Shamli]], 3,500 families comprising over 23,000 members in Muzaffarnagar and 3,000 families consisting of over 15,000 persons are staying in camps in Shamli.<ref name="camps1" />

In Muzaffarnagar there are three relief camps where about 1,000 persons of one community have taken shelter while about 3,200 families of another community are staying in another 2 camps.<ref name="camps1" /> In Shamli they are running 14 relief camps where foodgrains, milk, and water are provided to the families.<ref name="camps1" />

===Deaths in camps===
As of 22 October 2013, the [[National Human Rights Commission]] (NHRC), has said that seven deaths have occurred in the Loi relief camp in the aftermath of last month's riots in Muzaffarnagar even as organisers at Malakpur camp in Shamli district admitted that eight babies died at the camp. In Joula camp out of 30 deliveries in the camp three babies had died.
<ref name=camps2>{{cite news|title=Conditions at relief camps appalling: NHRC|newspaper =The Indian Express|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/conditions-at-relief-camps-appalling-nhrc/1185589/|access-date=22 October 2013}}
</ref> In December, [[Al Jazeera English]] reported that an additional 30 children had "died [[Hypothermia|due to the harsh cold]]".<ref name=AlJXmas>{{cite web|title=Indian children freeze to death in camps|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2013/12/indian-children-freeze-death-camps-20131224114429524758.html|access-date=26 December 2013|date=25 December 2013}}</ref>

==Book==
The book ''[[Living Apart|Living Apart: Communal violence and forced displacement in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli]]'', based on a field report conducted between March and July 2016, chronicles the lives of the victims of the Muzaffarnagar riots and reflects on the violence that occurred. The book also offers criticism for the apparent apathy of the state government for the victims.<ref name="Outlook September 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/the-lingering-pain-of-muzaffarnagar/297191|title=The Lingering Pain of Muzaffarnagar |work=Outlook |date=9 September 2016 |access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Asian Age September 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/30000-people-still-living-65-refugee-colonies-630|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: 30,000 people still living in 65 refugee colonies |publisher=Asian Age |date=8 September 2016 |access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hindu September 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/riot-victims-live-in-ghettolike-conditions-report/article9082254.ece|title=Riot victims live in ghetto-like conditions: Report |work=The Hindu|date=8 September 2016 |access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph September 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160908/jsp/nation/story_107009.jsp#.V-Pt1jscW8U|title=30000 riot displaced off govt's radar |work=The Telegraph|date=8 September 2016 |access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref>

The [[novella]] ''In The Name of Blasphemy'', written by Neeraj Agnihotri, is also set in the backdrop of Muzaffarnagar riots, talking mainly about the suffering and brutality caused by the riots in the name of religion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Agnihotri|first=Neeraj|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YHUvuAEACAAJ|title=In The Name Of Blasphemy|date=2018-05-23|publisher=Neeraj Agnihotri|isbn=978-1-5218-0386-8}}</ref>

==Censure and indictment==
A report composed by a six-member team of the Center for Policy Analysis, comprising [[Harsh Mander]], Kamal Chenoy, [[John Dayal]], [[Seema Mustafa]], Sukumar Muralidharan, and E.N. Rammohan, censured members of the [[Samajwadi Party]](SP) and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]](BJP) for their role in the violence. According to the report, the violence was {{Quote|seen to be a choreographed spectacle in which the SP and the BJP would create sharp polarisation on communal grounds, compelling the electorate to make a choice between them and squeezing out other parties which have been claiming significant shares of popular vote.<ref name="IT September 2013">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/muzaffarnagar-riots-fact-finding-report-points-fingers-at-sp-govt-and-bjp/1/310281.html|title=Muzaffarnagar riots: Report says SP and BJP behind violence|work=India Today |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=25 September 2016}}</ref>}}

The Justice Vishnu Sahai commission, which made an enquiry into the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, blamed members of the SP and the BJP for being involved in the violence. The commission also blamed senior police and administrative officials for errors which led to the escalation of the violence.<ref name="TOI September 2015">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Panel-finds-Samajwadi-Party-BJP-hand-in-UP-riots/articleshow/49082102.cms|title=Panel finds Samajwadi Party, BJP hand in UP riots |work=The Times of India|date=24 September 2015 |access-date=25 September 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Religious harmony in India]]
* [[Religious violence in India]]
* [[Godhra Train Burning]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/muzaffarnagar-when-the-jat-bonding-helped-4000-muslims-return-home/1171504/0 Muzaffarnagar: When the Jat bonding helped 4,000 Muslims return home], ''[[The Indian Express]]''
* [http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?288907 Thread Bared], ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]''
* [http://viewsheadlines.com/muzaffarnagar-riots-2013-no-justice-survivors-fend-for-themselves-10339/ Muzaffarnagar riots 2013: No justice, survivors fend for themselves], ''www.viewsheadlines.com''
{{Riots in India}}

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[[Category:2013 riots|Muzaffarnagar riots, 2013]]
[[Category:2013 crimes in India|Muzaffarnagar riots, 2013]]
[[Category:History of Uttar Pradesh (1947–present)]]
[[Category:Muzaffarnagar district]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India|Muzaffarnagar riots, 2013]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Uttar Pradesh|Muzaffarnagar riots, 2013]]
[[Category:Sexual violence at riots and crowd disturbances]]
[[Category:2013 Muzaffarnagar violence]]
[[Category:August 2013 events in India]]
[[Category:September 2013 events in India]]
[[Category:Anti-Muslim violence in India]]
[[Category:2013 murders in Asia]]
[[Category:2010s murders in India]]
[[Category:Massacres in India]]