Image Courtesy:tennews.in
Delhi Police arrested local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Prem Sharma, for carrying out the Hanuman Jayanti procession without permission on April 16, 2022, said the Hindustan Times. This same procession was caught on camera brandishing weapons and swords and eventually engaged in violent clashes in Jahangirpuri area.
Around eight police officers and one civilian suffered injuries during stone-pelting on Saturday evening. DCP North West Usha Rangnani told the newspaper that a case was registered under Section 188 of the IPC at the local police station on Sunday against Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal Delhi Prant organisers. Meanwhile, Indian Today reported that 14 people were arrested and another 10 people were detained by the police following the conflict in the region. It may be noted that a majority of these were Muslims even though the violence occurred in a Muslim-dominated area near a masjid.
The booked Sharma is a VHP district-level cadre and is facing investigation from the police. Yet, the ones who are arrested for allegedly firing at the procession is a minor boy Aslam. According to the India Today, a pistol was recovered from the youth who is claimed to be a history-sheeter. Along with him two more key accused Mukhtar and Khodu were arrested.
There are no reports regarding the detainment of those procession members who were caught on-camera and on CCTV, brandishing swords and guns in their hands. The same was pointed out by four-time Delhi Congress MLA Mukesh Sharma who demanded that the police arrest those who entered the minority-dominated with weapons in hand as seen on Aaj Tak and even India Today coverage.
जहांगीरपुरी मे “भगवा गमछा” पहन कर “तलवार लहराते” हुए “जुलूस निकालने” वालों को भी “गिरफ्तार” करो! pic.twitter.com/AfUEPVpthY
— Mukesh Sharma (@MukeshSharmaMLA) April 17, 2022
Netizens appreciated the Opposition’s efforts to call out this bias within the police execution.
ऐसे निर्भीक साफ बोलने वाले ही देश को जगा सकते है, Salute @MukeshSharmaMLA जी.!!https://t.co/13g1ZaCU4W
— Asim Munna (@AsimMunna4) April 18, 2022
According to the Hindustan Times, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana refuted claims of attempts to hoist saffron flags at the mosque and asked people not to fall prey to rumour-mongering. Further, during a media briefing, Asthana asserted that those involved in violent clashes will not be spared irrespective of class, creed or religion.
Related:
Fresh violence reported from Jahangirpuri
Jahangirpuri: “Peace” on the ground, but what about the fear in the hearts?
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Jahangirpuri Violence: 14 Arrested, all from the minority community, main accused a minor?
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