In the past few days, public rallies have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Jammu. The common factor in these rallies is that they are certainly mobilised by some right wing groups or fringe groups but the speakers are not prominent. They are probably just members or ad hoc members of these groups (presumably) and advocating for the same right wing ideologies. Currently, the theme is around “love jihad” and to keep a watch on Hindu girls so they don’t run astray.
A public march was held by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) in Sangli whereby slogans were raised in support of Hindu Rashtra and against “Love jihad”. The video surfaced on June 9. One of them, addressing young Hindu girls, said on the mic, “don’t fall in the trap of Love Jihad. Avoid being friends with non-Hindus. Realise the greatness of Hindu religion and avoid making friends with people from other religions.”
They also demanded, “To fight against Love Jihad, establish a special Police cell. Conduct an enquiry into the funding of Love Jihad and the recruitment of young girls for terror activities.” They also demanded central laws against “love jihad” and religious conversions.
Location: Sangli, Maharashtra
Hindu Janjagruti Samiti organized a hate rally in support of Hindu nation & against the conspiracy theory of “love jihad,” where speakers demonized Muslims. pic.twitter.com/Wmr1JwPlXO
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 9, 2023
On June 8 a video surfaced from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh where a public rally was held on the streets. A person speaking on the mic was blasting these objectionable words on the loudspeaker, “don’t fall for Jihadis. They are targeting Hindu girls and trapping them and then killing them mercilessly. Mostly people from only one community are involved.”
They demanded the death sentence for the “murderer of Sakshi”, referring to the gut wrenching incident where a young man stabbed the girl named Sakshi repeatedly in complete public view. The incident was recorded on CCTV.
Location: Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh
Far-right Hindu Raksha Dal organized a street march, where its members used a speaker mounted over a vehicle to deliver hateful speeches vilifying Muslims. pic.twitter.com/6eAvEV44E1
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 8, 2023
On June 7, a video came up of a public demonstration organised in Satara, Maharashtra by HJS. The few people present there, demanded death sentence for Aaftab Poonawal (accused in the gruesome murder of Shraddha Walkar). They also demanded the death sentence for Sahil Khan, accused in the murder of the young girl Sakshi, in Delhi.
One of the speakers said that parents should keep a close eye on their daughters, who are their friends and where they go to “protect” them from radicalisation.
Location: Satara, Maharashtra
Hindu Janjagruti Samiti organised a hate rally where speakers indulged in fear-mongering against Muslims and called on Hindus to “strike back against love jihadis.” pic.twitter.com/AHzSogGTfr
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 7, 2023
In Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand where disturbances have been reported due to an incident of abduction of a minor girl, where one of the accused belonged to Muslim community, a person was found instigating the crowd in Chinyalisour. The video surfaced on June 7 and was reported by a local news channel Garhwal Tak.
He said, “We don’t know whether they have come from West Bengal or are Rohingya Muslims. They are buying shops and our (Hindu) brothers are forced to return empty handed. They use Hindu names for shops. We come to know the reality when they trap our girls. We realise they are Raheem Khan. We are telling shop owners that they should employ locals.”
Sabrang India reported on May 30, how Muslim traders and shop owners had reportedly fled Purola town due to the uproar the abduction incident had caused and how right wing groups and other shop owners were demonstrating against the Muslim community. Further, Muslim shops, which are now shut down in Purola and Barkot, were marked with a black cross mark and intimidating posters were pasted on the shutters of these shops. The posters were removed by the police.
Location: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Hindu far-right leader delivers hate speech demonising Muslims and calls on locals not to rent shops or homes to Muslims. pic.twitter.com/mNfz4jacS0
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 7, 2023
In Samba, Jammu a video surfaced on June 6 where Antar Rashtriya Hindu Parishad held a hate rally demanding a law against “love jihad”. Slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” were also raised.
Location: Samba, Jammu
Antar Rashtriya Hindu Parishad held a hate rally against the conspiracy theory of “love jihad.” pic.twitter.com/TukPRvSyMW
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 6, 2023
Related:
Uttarkashi: Cross marks, “leave” threats on Muslim shops, hatred spreads to other towns: Uttarakhand
Uttarkashi: Muslims flee homes as right wing threatens the community over abduction of young girl