On August 2, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) filed a complaint to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) as well as Haryana’s Director General of Police (DGP) PK Agrawal, urging the authorities to take action against the incidents of targeted violence taking place in Haryana. On July 31, after reports of “clashes” during a religious procession of Vishwa Hindu Parishad- Bajrang Dal in Nuh area of Haryana started surfacing, incessant targeting of Muslims in the other districts of Haryana were reported. Many reports of Muslims being killed and harassed came to the fore, along with accusations that the police were found to be siding with the perpetrators. Videos of rallies were also attached to the complaint, highlighting the derogatory and violent anti-Muslim slogans being raised and hate speeches being delivered. On August 1, a mosque was also burnt in Gurugram, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old Muslim boy.
Highlighting the same, CJP urged the authorities to take action and stop the malicious attack on Muslims by the Hindutva organisations. The complaint stated: “Before this escalates further and the death toll rises, having reached five already, this needs immediate attention as this behaviour cannot be tolerated by any means, even under the law. Sirs, we are seeing an active pattern of alienation that has just been growing against the minorities in this country along with the indifferent shown by the law enforcement authorities. Many more videos are surfacing where individuals donning saffron scarfs can be seen using guns with a police officer standing beside them.”
In addition to this, the complaint also provides a detailed analysis of the triggers that led to the eruption of violence at Nuh. Through the complaint, CJP has highlighted the role that Monu Manesar and Bittu Bajrangi played. Notably, Monu Manesar, the head of the cow vigilante wing of Bajrang Dal in Haryana who is accused of kidnapping and burning two Muslims, had released a video stating that he would also be a part of the VHP procession. Additionally, Bittu Bajrangi, a senior Bajrang Dal leader in Haryana and a history sheeter, had released Facebook live before heading to Mewat, where he could be seen and heard instigating violence and challenging the Muslims living in the region to face his gang.
The complaint stated that: “As the investigation will be conducted by the Police into the events that led to the said incident, where two home guards were killed and many sustained injuries, it is important that the build-up to the violence is also looked into. It is essential that the said incident is not looked as an isolated event. Planning of the said procession had been in the play for many days.”
It was prayed by the CJP that “Given this background, it is both urgent and essential that the actions by these people in districts of Haryana and those of Monu Manesar and Bittu Bajrangi be acted upon and criminal changes are levied on them for uttering such words that led to causing problems for the safety and security of the minority community in our country, threaten and intimidate Muslims and also threaten social harmony in general.”
The complaint also provided the violations of law that took place in the districts of Haryana, owing to the using of arms, brandishing of weapons, raising of derogatory slogans and provocative and instigating statements. Provisions specified under Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Proceedings and Arms Act were attracted, as provided in the complaint.
The complaint to the DGP, Haryana can be read here:
Furthermore, CJP has urged the NCM to “Take cognisance of the complaint as well as direct the attendance of Monu Manesar and Bittu Bajrangi ,along with the involved members of the Bajrang Dal and VHP, before the commission to examine such allegations under section 9(4)(a) of the Act.”
The complaint sent to the NCM can be read here:
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