Image Courtesy: ndtv.com
Muslim socio-cultural groups and individuals all over India continue to condemn the gruesome murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal by two hardline Islamists on June 28, 2022. Groups from Mumbai to Varanasi have asked citizens to maintain peace and not give in to extremist ideology.
According to news reports, a large crowd gathered in Varanasi on June 30 despite prohibitory orders. Citizens condemned the killers for attacking a man who had made a social media post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Readers would recall that after Sharma made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed during a television news debate, protests had broken out across the country. But the two men who killed Kanhaiya Lal, took things too far – as nothing can justify their barbaric act.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met the victim’s family along with other senior officials on Thursday, and promised a thorough inquiry into the matter. The Anti Terrorim Squad (ATS will not probe the matter. Further, he asked all religious leaders and citizens to maintain calm and not give in to the hateful agenda of anti-social elements.
Further spreading the message of peace, were groups like the Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) that condemned the brutal murder saying, “We advise those who speak on behalf of Muslim issues to desist from making emotional, bigoted, intolerant and fanatical appeals in the name of religion. As citizens of this country, the Muslim cause is best served through appeals to the constitutional ethos rather than some pan-Islamic rallying together in the name of saving the honor of the prophet.” The group further pointed out that incidents like that of Lal send a chilling message to dissenters within the community.
Earlier, 19-year-old Saad Ansari from Bhiwandi, Maharashtra was similarly hounded by the Muslim community for speaking his mind on the issue of blasphemy. Saad was made to apologise and read the Kalma again by a mob of about 150 people. For his son’s safety, his father sent him away to study. “If a young Muslim boy is fettered and not allowed to speak his mind, then it is a telling statement on the depths of intolerance that we Muslims have descended to,” said IMSD. It appealed to all Muslims not to fall for the rightwing-Islamist rhetoric.
Similarly, Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani, the Mufti-e-Varanasi strongly condemned the heinous crime, calling it a violation of Indian law and Islamic law. He appealed to residents to maintain peace and not give in to their emotions. “We strongly condemn this incident. This [killing] done by the people who took law in their own hands cannot be justified in any way because this act not only violates Indian laws but also Islamic laws,” he said.
In another Rajasthan city Ajmer, the City Dargah Dewan Syed Zainual Abedin Ali Khan asked local Muslims to stand against the “Talibanised mindset” responsible for the gruesome killing, reported the Times of India. In a statement to central and state governments he urged the administration, religious heads and civil society groups alike to fight radical groups regularly acting against the constitution.
Similarly, the newspaper reported that Rajasthan Board of Muslims Waqfs Chairperson Khanukhan Budhwali appealed to citizens to maintain peace. He said that the real intention of such extremists was to disrupt peace and harmony.
Jamiat E Islami Rajasthan Secretary Naim Rabbani too said that such hatemongers deserve no place in society. Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Yasmin Farooqui called the attackers “misfit to live in society” and said Indians should identify and call out such radicals.
Further, many netizens decried the brutal murder in the name of religion. Politicians, journalists and others condemned the incident wherein the accused so blatantly boasted of their act. In fact, people rightly identified the core problem of this whole ordeal – hate.
उदयपुर में हुई जघन्य हत्या से मैं बेहद स्तब्ध हूं।
धर्म के नाम पर बर्बरता बर्दाश्त नहीं की जा सकती। इस हैवानियत से आतंक फैलाने वालों को तुरंत सख़्त सज़ा मिले।
हम सभी को साथ मिलकर नफ़रत को हराना है। मेरी सभी से अपील है, कृपया शांति और भाईचारा बनाए रखें।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 28, 2022
Strongly condemn the barbaric murder in #Udaipur. Request the authorities to take stern action against those responsible. Such heinous acts would only serve to upset our harmonious living. Appeal to everyone to maintain peace and calm and let the law take its course.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) June 28, 2022
I condemn the gruesome murder in Udaipur Rajasthan. There can be no justification for it. Our party’s consistent stand is to oppose such violence. No one can take law in their own hands. We demand that the state govt takes strictest possible action. Rule of law must be upheld 1/3
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 28, 2022
No matter which faith you follow. HURTING AN INNOCENT LIFE IS LIKE HURTING THE WHOLE HUMANITY.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 28, 2022
Horrific murder of a man for his social media post in Udaipur. Appalling videos posted by the murderers who have no remorse. The act was purely inhumane and brutal and should be condemned.
All culprits must be punished as per law of the land. Such violence can’t be justified.
— Arbab Ali (@arbabali_jmi) June 28, 2022
The #Udaipur beheading is an example of extreme hate. We must not just condemn it but work to rid our society of hate. Hope the killers are brought to justice swiftly.
— Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) June 28, 2022
I strongly condemn the gruesome beheading in Udaipur which is an open case of hate. The culprits should be given harshest punishment as per law.
Those spreading hatred under the guise of religion are hollowing out the society!
— Kunwar Danish Ali (@KDanishAli) June 29, 2022
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