2023 Haryana roits: Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=August 2023}}  

{{Short description|Religiously motivated violence in India}}

url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/a-meeting-assurance-of-no-weapons-video-that-raised-tempers-what-happened-ahead-of-yatra-8872111/ |quote= Monu Manesar did not show up. He told The Indian Express that leaders from VHP and Bajrang Dal had asked him to skip the yatra}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Who is Monu Manesar? How this 'gau rakshak' is linked to communal strife in Haryana's Nuh |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/who-is-monu-manesar-how-this-gau-rakshak-is-linked-to-communal-strife-in-haryanas-nuh-bkg/3195290/}}</ref> A mob (allegedly consisting of Muslims) attacked the Hindu religious procession passing through with stones and bottles, and the Hindu mob retaliated with stones as well.<ref name=independent>{{cite news|title=Haryana riots: Five killed as religious clashes erupt in Indian state bordering Delhi|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/riots-in-gurgaon-haryana-nuh-section-144-b2385368.html}}</ref> The Hindus taking part in the procession were forced to flee to a nearby temple, which was then besieged by the rioters. The police believe this attack was premeditated and well-organized.<ref name=":0" />

In response, the government imposed a curfew, suspended [[Internet]] services, and sent extra troops to the region to prevent a further outbreak of violence.<ref name="CBS" />

The Brajmandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Haryana's [[Nuh district|Nuh]] was initiated by the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad|Vishwa Hindu Parishad]] (VHP) three years ago to revive sacred Hindu sites in the district, which has a Muslim population of 79.2% according to the 2011 Census. [[Nuh district|Nuh]], previously known as Mewat, is believed to be home to three ancient [[Shiva linga|Shiva lingas]] from the time of the [[Pandava|Pandavas]] in the [[Mahabharata]], and [[Krishna]] used to graze his cows here. VHP leaders claim that these sites are under threat of encroachment by influential individuals in the region. The Mewat Darshan Yatra, which is part of the Brajmandal Jalabhishek Yatra, aims to restore the significance of these religious sites. Hindus make up about 20.37% of the district's population and devotees from other Haryana districts also participate in the yatra. The yatra commences in Sohna and begins with a ceremonial "jal (water) [[Abhisheka|abhishek]]" at the Nalhar Mahadev Temple, which is an ancient temple located near [[Nuh (city)|Nuh town]]. The yatra then proceeds to visit other temples in the region, including the [[Jhirkeshwar mahadev|Jhirakeshwar Mahadev]] and Radha Krishna Temple in Shrangar village and the Shringeshwar Mahadev Temple. There were around 25,000 participants in the yatra, including organizations such as the Gau Raksha Dal and the [[Bajrang Dal]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-02 |title=Nuh communal flare-up: What is the yatra during which violence began? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/nuh-communal-violence-yatra-violence-8873437/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

[[Cattle slaughter in India|Cow slaughter]] is illegal in Haryana, and punishable by up to ten years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |title= States Where Cow Slaughter is Banned So Far, and States Where it Isn't |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/states-where-cow-slaughter-is-banned-so-far-and-states-where-it-isnt-1413425.html |quote=“Cow”, which includes bull, bullock, ox, heifer, calf, and disabled/diseased/barren cows, can’t be killed, as per a 2015 law. Three-10 years jail and fine up to Rs 1 lakh as punishment. Ban on sale of canned beef and beef products, and export of cows for slaughter.}}</ref> In recent years, the Mewat region has seen increased communal tension due to the issue of illegal cow slaughter and gau rakshaks ({{lit|Cow protectors}}).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Manav |first=Sushil |date=2023-02-25 |title='Pehlu Khan to Nasir-Junaid' — In Nuh, anger spills onto streets as thousands protest Bhiwani murders |work=[[ThePrint]] |url=https://theprint.in/india/pehlu-khan-to-nasir-junaid-in-nuh-anger-spills-onto-streets-as-thousands-protest-bhiwani-murders/1398202/}}</ref> Since 2014, incidents of [[cow vigilantism]] have increased in the district. The murder of [[2017 Alwar mob lynching|Pehlu Khan]], who was from Nuh, by cow vigilantes in neighbouring [[Alwar district]] gained national headlines.<ref name=":1" /> Several Mahapanchayats have been held in Nuh district calling for anti-Muslim violence. More recently in February 2023, 2 Meo Muslim men from [[Bharatpur district]] in Rajasthan, Junaid and Nasir, were [[Nasir and Junaid lynching|lynched]] near [[Loharu]] by a mob allegedly led by cow vigilante and Hindutva activist Monu Manesar.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-17 |title=2 burnt alive in Bhiwani, kin blame 'gau rakshaks' |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/2-burnt-alive-in-bhiwani-kin-blame-gau-rakshaks-480439}}</ref> The murders provoked mass protests in the town of [[Ferozepur Jhirka]], near to the city of Nuh, calling for the arrest of the accused and an end to cow vigilantism.<ref name=":1" /> Communal tension increased with a Mahapanchayat held in [[Hathin]] in neighbouring Palwal district in support of Monu Manesar, which featured calls for anti-Muslim violence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haryana: At Second 'Hindu Mahapanchayat' For Monu Manesar, Calls for Anti-Muslim Violence |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/haryana-at-second-hindu-mahapanchayat-for-monu-manesar-calls-for-anti-muslim-violence |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=The Wire}}</ref>

The attacks began when a [[Vishva Hindu Parishad|Vishwa Hindu Parishad's]], Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, which had passed through Nuh for the past three years, was stopped by a group of muslim men in Nuh's Khedla Mod and attacked with stones. Cars, homes, and shops of the local Hindu community were set ablaze by the predominantly Muslim mob,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kaskar |first=Zeeshan |title=Nuh Temple Priest Refutes Haryana Home Minister's Claim That People Were 'Held Hostage' |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/nuh-temple-priest-refutes-haryana-home-ministers-claim-that-people-are-held-hostage |quote=The polarisation along religious lines is evident in the aftermath of Monday clashes. Members of the Hindu community told The Wire that mobs consisting of Muslims ransacked their shops, even looted liquor shops, and set many cars on fire}}</ref> and at around 14:00, roughly 2,500 Hindus were forced to flee to a nearby Nulhar Mahadev temple for shelter. While in the temple they were attacked by the mob, who shot at them with guns, and pelted stones.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bost |first=Saikat|title= Rioters On Hillocks, Shots And Stones Fired: Nuh Temple's Hours Of Horror |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gurugram-clashes-nuh-communal-violence-haryana-communal-clash-monu-manesar-50-km-from-torched-haryana-mosque-a-mob-attacked-2-500-trapped-in-temple-4258306|quote=When NDTV visited the temple, about 7 km from Nuh town, the Aravallis surrounding the temple looked scenic. Hours before, rioters gathered on these hillocks had fired shots and thrown stones as those inside the temple cowered into corners, hoping to survive those hours of horror.}}</ref> They were surrounded in the temple by the rioters for about five hours before police reinforcement from five districts were able to rescue them.<ref>{{cite news |title= Clashes break out between two groups during VHP procession in Haryana's Nuh; prohibitory orders imposed |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/haryana-nuh-gurugram-clashes-violence-july-31-2023/article67142736.ece}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= What led to communal clashes in Haryana's Nuh, Gurugram |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nuh-violence-haryana-clashes-vehicles-burnt-home-guards-killed-several-injured-religious-procession-stopped-2414492-2023-08-01}}</ref>

===Premeditation===

Police investigators stated<ref>{{cite news |title= How Nuh Rioters Planned Violence 10 Days Before Communal Clash; '3,000 Glass Bottles, Stones...'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/world-news/how-nuh-rioters-planned-violence-10-days-before-communal-clash-3-000-glass-bottles-stones-101690971132570.html |quote= Nearly 3,000 glass bottles and 300 bikes with registration plates blackened were arranged and sent to different groups that were going to target the procession}}</ref> that the riots were well planned ahead of time, and the rioters had allegedly colluded in [[WhatsApp]] group chats to assign duties in the riots, including throwing stones and throwing glass bottles at the Hindus. According to the police informants related to the case, the groups had collected more than 3,000 bottles and rocks ahead of time.<ref>{{cite news |title= How Nuh Rioters Planned Violence 10 Days Before Communal Clash; '3,000 Glass Bottles, Stones...'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/world-news/how-nuh-rioters-planned-violence-10-days-before-communal-clash-3-000-glass-bottles-stones-101690971132570.html |quote= Nearly 3,000 glass bottles and 300 bikes with registration plates blackened were arranged and sent to different groups that were going to target the procession}}</ref> While most were intended to be used as projectiles, some were filled with petrol and intended to be used as [[Molotov cocktails]].{{npov-inline|reason=treats allegations as facts in wikivoice|date=August 2023}} The rioters had also arranged more than 200 bikes and painted over registration plates to avoid being identified by the police.<ref>{{cite news |title= How Nuh Rioters Planned Violence 10 Days Before Communal Clash; '3,000 Glass Bottles, Stones...'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/world-news/how-nuh-rioters-planned-violence-10-days-before-communal-clash-3-000-glass-bottles-stones-101690971132570.html |quote= Nearly 3,000 glass bottles and 300 bikes with registration plates blackened were arranged and sent to different groups that were going to target the procession}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= How communal violence spread from Nuh to Gurugram, why Haryana is burning, how is the situation now |url=https://india.postsen.com/local/869806.html |quote= Since morning, four-five people were doing rounds on motorcycles. No one was caught or questioned. Their motorcycles did not even have registration numbers. The shopkeepers say that they have been looted. Shopkeepers say that their shops have been ransacked. Money has been looted. The restaurant in Badshahpur was vandalized and then set on fire}}</ref>{{npov-inline|reason=treats allegations as facts in wikivoice|date=August 2023}} Police raids have recovered "huge" volumes of stones and other explosives.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Dhankhar |first=Leena |date=2023-08-02 |title=Nuh clashes: How the violence was planned |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/rioting-and-violence-in-nuh-and-gurugram-plan-to-attack-dharmik-yatra-put-together-after-social-media-videos-surface-101690914787108.html |quote=According to the investigators, between July 21 and 23, local groups in Nuh held meetings and laid out a plan to attack the yatra, which, they believed will be attended by Monu. People who attended these meetings formed WhatsApp groups and responsibilities were allegedly assigned to each group leader for gathering stones and glass bottles to be thrown at the procession, the investigators said, citing interrogation of people who have been arrested so far.}}</ref>

[[Category:Anti-Muslim violence in India]]

[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]