In a shocking instance of growing intolerance, a Hindu man in Udaipur, Rajasthan was beheaded by two hardline Islamists on June 28, 2022 for sharing a post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Although the accused Riyaz and Gos Mohammed were arrested shortly after the incident, the news has horrified many citizens for its blatant display of intolerance.
Supreme Tailors owner Kanhaiya Lal was working in his shop on Tuesday, when one man came up to him and attacked him with a cleaver. The other accused recorded the crime on his mobile phone. After slitting Lal’s throat in broad daylight, the two said that they had avenged the insult to Islam and threatened to “get” Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the same weapon.
All this because Lal shared a post on social media in support of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma who had earlier made derogatory remarks against Islam and Prophet Mohammed. According to The Hindu, Lal was already booked by the local police over his remarks on social media. At the time, he had told the police that he feared for his life and had closed shop for a week.
Tensions rose in the area upon learning about the heinous murder. Shopkeepers closed shops and stopped police from taking away the body until the accused were arrested and the victim’s family compensated with ₹ 50 lakh and a government job. The body was finally moved late at night.
Rajasthan police declared a state-wide internet shutdown for 24 hours and imposed Section 144 for a month. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace.
“I appeal to everyone not to try to spoil the atmosphere by sharing the video of this incident. By sharing the video, the criminal’s purpose of spreading hatred in the society will be successful,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
मैं सभी से अपील करता हूं कि इस घटना का वीडियो शेयर कर माहौल खराब करने का प्रयास ना करें। वीडियो शेयर करने से अपराधी का समाज में घृणा फैलाने का उद्देश्य सफल होगा।
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 28, 2022
Condemning the murder, he promised strict action against the accused. In a press meeting, Gehlot said that the manner of the crime was “beyond imagination”, reported The Hindu. Further, he said the investigation would be carried out under the case officer scheme. Accused will receive a speedy probe and fast trial in the court. He also appealed to Modi to issue an appeal for communal harmony and brotherhood, and declare that violence in any form would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry sent a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to the city to “explore” any “terror angle” as per a tweet from Home Minister Amit Shah.
MHA has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigation of the brutal murder of Shri Kanhaiya Lal Teli committed at Udaipur, Rajasthan yesterday.
The involvement of any organisation and international links will be thoroughly investigated.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 29, 2022
Many people have 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.
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
Indian Musims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) has also condemned the attack saying, “We cannot have any sympathy for those extremist Muslims who espouse the ideals of the Taliban or ISIS,” adding, “IMSD reiterates its stand that there is no place for such an extremist mindset in India and that the culprits be handed the strictest possible punishment.” Further decrying hardliners and their calls for extreme actions against those accused of blasphemy, IMSD said, “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.”
At the same time, divisive elements have taken a narrow perspective of this as an instance where ‘a Hindu man was murdered by two Muslims’. Despite the fact that the Muslim community in India has widely condemned the act, communal forces continue to push their agenda. In fact, netizens have rightly identified the core problem of this whole ordeal – hate.
Pick any Muslim voice, across the spectrum. Anyone. You’ll find them condemning what happened in #Udaipur. You’ll not see them taking out a yatra in support of the the criminals. And that’s the difference.
You can try to prove me wrong. Its a challenge. pic.twitter.com/N7XV7rdhKZ
— Darab Farooqui दाराब फारूक़ी داراب فاروقی (@darab_farooqui) 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