Just days after a demolition drive was carried out in Khargone, purportedly to “punish” the Muslim community for their alleged stone pelting upon a Hindutva procession, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation has also planned a demolition drive in Jahangirpuri which had also faced communal violence recently.
However, this drive is being conducted under the guise of getting rid of “encroachments”. What’s more, the municipal authorities have written to the police asking for 400 police personnel including women police officials to be deployed at the spot to maintain law and order during the drive.
A copy of the letter may be read here:
This is yet another example where in wake of a communal clash, people from one community are being targeted disproportionately compared to the other community. Trouble began on Saturday, April 16, when Bajrang Dal Members who were undertaking a Shobha Yatra on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti reportedly reached the mosque in Jahangirpuri’s Block C at 5 P.M. It is alleged that it was the aggressive Hindutva mob that disturbed peace and harmony by attempting to enter the Jama Masjid in Jahangirpuri. Turned away by an angry lot of Muslim youth they returned with the police and again attempted desecration and attack. At least nine people, including eight policemen were reported injured in the violence that ensued. Some vehicles were also set ablaze.
In the aftermath of the violence, the police arrested 14 Muslims. Though Prem Sharma, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was also arrested, the police later withdrew their initial statement, citing that Indian Penal Code section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) is a bailable offence and told the media that “the person who had joined the investigation was let off after questioning.”
The original statement released to the press said, “A case vide FIR no 441/22 dated 17/04/22 u/s 188 IPC, PS Jahangirpuri has been registered against organisers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal Delhi Prant, Mukherjee Nagar Jila, jhandewalan for carrying out procession (in the evening of 16/04/22 in the area of PS Jahangirpuri ) without any permission and one accused person namely Prem Sharma, Jila Sewa Pramukh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad has been arrested. Further investigation is in progress.”
But the revised statement said, “A case vide FIR no 441/22 dated 17/04/22 u/s 188 IPC has been registered against organisers for carrying out procession (in the evening of 16/04/22 in the area of PS Jahangirpuri) without any permission and one accused person has joined the investigation. Further investigation is in progress. The other two processions which were carried out in morning and afternoon on 16/04/22 in the area of PS Jahangirpuri had due permission.” The revised statement issued by the police clearly does not name the VHP and the Bajrang Dal all.
It is alleged that it was the VHP, an influential group, that pressured the police to issue a revised statement where no mention of the group was made.
Meanwhile, fresh violence was reported from Jahangirpuri on Monday. According to multiple news reports another “incident of stone-pelting was reported from the area”. According to a report in India Today, after a woman was taken for interrogation in connection with Saturday’s clash, around 50 women in the area began protesting and allegedly threw stones in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri on Monday.
“The woman detained by the police on Monday is the wife of accused Sonu, who allegedly opened fire during the clash on Saturday. After she was taken for police interrogation, stones were pelted from the rooftops of different homes on Monday,” reported IT, adding that one person has been detained. According to this report the Deputy Commissioner of Police North-West Delhi Usha Rangrani, said that the “ family members of Sonu, who is absconding at present, pelted two stones at the police when they went to his house in search of him.” Now, police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have reportedly cordoned off the area.
Now, the air is once again rife with tension with the impending demolition drive. The matter was placed before the Supreme Court which has ordered that status quo be maintained for now and listed the case for Thursday.
Related:
Jahangirpuri Violence: 14 Arrested, all from the minority community, main accused a minor?
Delhi police books VHP leader for illegal rally at Jahangirpuri
Fresh violence reported from Jahangirpuri
Jahangirpuri: “Peace” on the ground, but what about the fear in the hearts?