Violence against Muslims | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:53:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Violence against Muslims | SabrangIndia 32 32 2024: Cow vigilantism escalates in July and August with rumour-driven raids and violent assaults on Muslim while legal consequences for perpetrators missing? https://sabrangindia.in/2024-cow-vigilantism-escalates-in-july-and-august-with-rumour-driven-raids-and-violent-assaults-on-muslim-while-legal-consequences-for-perpetrators-missing/ Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:53:37 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=37527 Amidst increasing cow-related violence, police inaction and mob brutality create a climate of fear for minorities and marginalized groups; enforcement efforts remain conspicuously absent.

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]]> In recent years, India has witnessed a surge in violent incidents arising out of cow vigilantism, underscoring a troubling escalation in communal and societal tensions. This increase in violence reflects a broader trend where individuals and groups, enjoying political patronage and ideologically aligned to the far right, under the guise of “protecting cows,” engage in severe acts of vigilantism that often target marginalised communities, particularly Muslims. This pattern of violence, often driven by self-styled “cow protection” vigilante groups, reflects a broader agenda that exploits politico-religious sentiments and legal ambiguities to justify attacks on the Muslim community.

Vigilante groups, emboldened by perceived or real impunity, have taken the law into their own hands, leading to a series of brutal assaults and communal tensions across various states. These incidents not only violate individual rights but also exacerbate communal divisions, fuelling a climate of fear and hostility.

The political legitimisation of this far-right ideology in India has significantly influenced the increasing targeting of Muslims under the guise of cow protection. This ideology, which is rooted in a nationalist and exclusionary vision of India, often frames Muslims as outsiders or threats to the nation’s cultural and religious identity. Far-right groups have leveraged this narrative to justify acts of violence and discrimination against Muslims, portraying such actions as a defence of “Hindu values and traditions”. This ideological shift has emboldened vigilante groups, who now operate with a sense of legitimacy and impunity. Their actions are frequently portrayed as heroic or righteous under the banner of “cow protection,” a cause that has become a focal point for far-right mobilization.

The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in the Tehseen Poonawalla case, which was intended to curb such vigilantism and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals, appears to have had limited impact. Despite the Court’s clear directives to prevent and address instances of mob violence and unlawful harassment, the rise in incidents suggests a failure in implementing these guidelines effectively.

The Supreme Court’s directives, issued to address the growing concern of cow-related vigilantism, emphasized the need for robust measures to protect individuals from mob violence and ensure that law enforcement agencies uphold the rule of law. However, the increasing frequency and severity of these attacks indicate that the measures put in place have been insufficient or inadequately enforced. This has allowed vigilante groups to operate with relative impunity, exacerbating fears and insecurities among those targeted by such acts of violence.

See directives from Tehseen S. Poonawalla v Union of India (2018) judgement here.

August 2024

Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh (August 26): In a significant and disturbing incident, a police raid in Bijnor based on a tip-off about beef storage led to the death of a 55-year-old woman, Razia. Her family alleged that the police misbehaved during the raid, which they claim contributed to her death due to the stress inflicted. The police, however, contended that Razia suffered from asthma and that her death was unrelated to the raid. This incident has drawn attention to the conduct of law enforcement during such operations and the need for a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding her death. As per media reports, an inquiry is underway to determine the role of the informant who triggered the raid and to assess the police’s actions during the operation.

 

 

Bhilwara, Rajasthan (August 25): In Bhilwara, tensions erupted when a severed cow’s tail was discovered near a temple, leading to violent protests by Hindutva groups. The subsequent attacks on Muslim homes and shops, including physical assaults on two Muslim individuals, reflect the volatile nature of cow-related disputes and their potential to escalate into communal violence. The destruction and violence inflicted during these protests highlight the urgent need for effective measures to manage and de-escalate such communal flashpoints.

 

Alwar, Rajasthan (August 21): The assault of a truck driver by cow vigilantes in Alwar, led by offender Monu Manesar’s associates, exemplifies the growing boldness of these groups. The brutal beating, captured on social media, not only shows the physical violence perpetrated but also highlights the broader issue of impunity enjoyed by vigilante groups. The increasing frequency of such attacks raises concerns about the adequacy of legal protections for individuals accused of cattle transportation.

July 2024

Sehore, Madhya Pradesh (July 29): The brutal assault of an individual named Lalluram Lohar by cow vigilantes, who accused him of cow smuggling, further illustrates the escalating violence against individuals involved in cattle trade. The discrepancy between the vigilantes’ accusations and Lohar’s account, where he claimed to have been lured into buying the cattle, underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding and investigation of such incidents.

Pali, Rajasthan (July 22-23): The assault on a truck driver in Pali by cow vigilantes, who were angered by the transportation of buffaloes, highlights the increasing aggression of these groups. The vandalism of the truck and the physical assault on the driver, part of the video made available on social media, reflects the severe consequences faced by those involved in cattle transportation, further underscoring the need for law enforcement to address and curb such violence.

Palsana, Baleshwar, Surat, Gujarat (July 20): In Surat, cow vigilantes assaulted a man accused of cattle slaughter and tied him up with a belt. This incident, caught in a video, illustrates the extreme measures vigilantes are willing to take. The lack of immediate legal recourse for such individuals exacerbates their vulnerability.

Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan (July 19): The assault on a truck driver in Pushkar by cow vigilantes represents yet another instance of violence tied to cattle transportation. The brutal nature of the attack and the apparent targeting of individuals involved in cattle trade reflect a broader pattern of vigilantism that demands urgent intervention.

Sirohi, Madhya Pradesh (July 19): The assault of truck drivers by VHP-affiliated cow vigilantes in Sirohi, conducted in the presence of police officers, highlights the problematic relationship between vigilante groups and law enforcement. The failure of police to intervene effectively in such situations undermines public trust in the legal system and emboldens vigilante groups.

Pali, Rajasthan (July 18-19): An elderly truck driver was attacked by cow vigilantes in another incident in Pali, demonstrating the indiscriminate nature of these attacks. The use of sticks and verbal abuse against an elderly individual not only raises concerns about the brutality of these groups but also about the lack of protection for vulnerable individuals in such situations.

Fazilka, Punjab (July 13): The raid by Bajrang Dal members on a Muslim home in Fazilka, accusing the owner of cow slaughter, reflects ongoing communal tensions and the misuse of cow protection narratives for targeting minority communities. The denial of communal motives by police does not mitigate the impact of such raids on community relations.

Sonipat, Haryana (July 10): The dangerous chase and subsequent accident involving a truck transporting cattle, orchestrated by cow vigilantes using spike strips, highlights the reckless and hazardous behaviour of these groups. This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to prevent such dangerous practices. 

Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir (July 4): The assault on Ramesh Kumar by cow vigilantes after an accident involving a calf highlights the extreme and violent responses to perceived cattle-related offenses. The public outcry and demand for justice reflect the broader societal implications of such vigilantism and the urgent need for effective legal protections.

Parasia, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh (July 2): The brutal assault of two Muslim truck drivers by VHP-Bajrang Dal members in Parasia, followed by the filing of cases against the victims, underscores a disturbing pattern of bias and violence. The lack of accountability for the assailants and the adverse legal consequences faced by the victims reveals systemic issues in the enforcement of laws related to cattle. 

Urgent Need for Effective Legal amendments and implementation of judicial directives

The impact of this far-right ideology extends beyond societal violence to the functioning of law enforcement and the judiciary. Police forces and legal institutions, influenced by the prevailing “nationalist” sentiment, often exhibit bias in their handling of these cases. Reports suggest that law enforcement agencies, swayed by the dominant political and ideological currents, are increasingly reluctant to take decisive action against vigilantes or protect the victims of such violence. This reluctance stems from a combination of political pressure, ideological alignment, and fear of backlash from powerful far-right factions. Consequently, the failure to enforce the law impartially undermines the justice system’s effectiveness and emboldens those who seek to perpetrate violence under the guise of protecting religious and cultural values. This intersection of ideology and law enforcement not only perpetuates violence but also deepens communal divisions, challenging the principles of justice and equality in Indian society.

The increasing incidents of cow-related vigilantism over the past two months of 2024 illustrate a disturbing trend of escalating violence and communal tension across India. These incidents, ranging from brutal assaults to dangerous chases and communal riots, reflect a broader failure to enforce legal protections and address the root causes of such violence. The Supreme Court’s directives aimed at curbing such vigilantism and safeguarding marginalized communities have not been effectively implemented, allowing vigilante groups to operate with impunity.

The recurring nature of these incidents, coupled with inadequate legal and law enforcement responses, highlights the urgent need for the implementation of judicial directions and amendments to those laws that directly or indirectly promote of legitimise vigilantism. Ensuring the protection of vulnerable individuals and upholding the rule of law must be prioritized to prevent further escalation of violence and to restore trust in the legal system. The implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives and the strengthening of legal safeguards are essential steps towards achieving justice and ensuring the safety of all individuals, irrespective of their background or involvement in cattle-related activities.

 

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]]> Tragic Incidents Unfold: Fatal attack over ‘Prasad’ consumption and brutal college assault in UP, Police deny ‘communal angle’ https://sabrangindia.in/tragic-incidents-unfold-fatal-attack-over-prasad-consumption-and-brutal-college-assault-in-up-police-deny-communal-angle/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:04:20 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=30100 A disabled Muslim man was beaten by a mob and reached his fatal end in Delhi’s Sunder Nagri on Tuesday morning, another Muslim was beaten when he had gone to pay his sister’s college fees in Meerat’s NAS College.

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]]> Two separate acts of violence against Muslims have come to light from the national capital and one from UP’s Meerut. Both incidents reveal the brutality with which minorities are treated in India and as authorities continue to deny “communal angles”, concerns continue to rise about the efficiency of existing law and order resources to tackle these rising issues.

Sundar Nagri, Delhi 

Early Tuesday morning on the streets of Delhi’s Sundar Nagri, a 26-year-old mentally disabled Muslim man named Isar Mohammad was brutally lynched to death. He was allegedly accused of theft by a group of people who accosted him near block G4 of Sundar Nagri at approximately 5 am in the morning, accordingly to police reports. What followed was a savage and merciless attack, during which they bound him to an electric pole and subjected him to a vicious beating, using sticks and hands both.

“Is this how anybody should be punished? Locals claimed he was found stealing a banana. How can anybody tie a person to a pole and beat them to death?” Isar Mohammad’s sister spoke to The Hindu saying she found out of about his death from videos being circulated online.

Isar was discovered by a boy in the afternoon, who transported the grievously injured Isar back to his home in a rickshaw However, none of this saved him for Isar succumbed to his injuries at around 7 pm later the same day.

Abdul Wajid, Isar’s father, has stated to The Hindu, narrating what happened after Isar was found and brought home later in the afternoon, “Isar wasn’t able to speak. He told me some men caught him and accused him of stealing at a Ganapati stall. He told me the boys tied him to an electric pole, and thrashed him with sticks, and left him injured at the spot.”

The brutality of the incident was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media platforms. In the video one can see Isar Mohammad tied to a poll the mob continues their relentless assault. Isar can be seen crying vehemently but despite his pleas the attackers don’t stop their assaults.

Isar’s father has subsequently filed a formal complaint with the Delhi Police, of murder and according to reports, the authorities have registered a case under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (act involving two or more persons) of the IPC. Several people have been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the incident.

According to the post mortem conducted at Guru Teg BahadurHospital, Isar’s dead body was covered with blunt force injuries all over his body, including his back, arms, and legs. The cause of death was determined to be shock and haemorrhage.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East Delhi), Joy Tirkey, has stated to The Print that there is no “communal angle” here. Instead, the official reports seem to allege that the attack was driven by suspicions of theft.

A total of six individuals have been apprehended in connection with the lynching, and their names are Kamal, Manoj, Yunus, Kishan, Pappu, Lucky. Additionally, a minor, aged 17, has also been taken into custody, according to a report by The Print.

The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled has condemned the incident according to a report in NewsClick. The statement notes that similar such incidents have occurred throughout the year, and this is the third incident of a disabled man being targeted for his religious identity. Earlier this year, similarly one man, Mohamamed Faiyaz, who was mentally challenged was beaten to death in Samastipur, Bihar in February, and also refers to the case of a disabled truck driver Zahiruddin who was lynched by cow vigilantes earlier this year.

Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

A 22-year-old man, identified as Mohd Sahil, was reportedly assaulted by a group of boys when he visited his sister’s college to deposit her college fees. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media platforms.

According to local law enforcement, the incident occurred on Monday as Mohd Sahil was standing in a queue at the college’s fee counter. Reports allege that is when a group of youths allegedly began hurling communal slurs at Sahil and took issue with his choice to wear a skull cap. Although similarly, police officials have denied a communal angle, reports continue to attest otherwise.

Mohd Imran, Sahil’s brother, who filed a police complaint has asserted that the assailants demanded Sahil to remove his skull cap before the situation escalated into physical violence. He recounted, “Sahil was accompanied by our sister, who is pursuing a B.Sc. degree at the college. Some youths began passing communal slurs and they objected to his skull cap and demanded it be removed. Then they started slapping him. It was only after our sister screamed for help that they fled.”

In the video footage that has come out a group of college students can be seen surrounding Sahil, with one of them even picking up a brick, seemingly in a threatening manner. There are also claims of religious slurs being used.

Similar to the Delhi incident, the police narrative seems to be different, as according to a note released on Meerut Police’ X account, it is stated that the victim was allegedly recording videos of girls.

The victim’s police complaint has detailed the harrowing experience, stating that he was subjected to physical assault, slaps, and death threats by the assailants. Sahil has stated, “I went to NAS college to deposit my younger sister’s fee when some youth started abusing me. They also threatened to kill me.”

 

According to Times of India, the accused have been booked as “unknown” under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (provocation with an intention to breach peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

However, the family members allege that they were asked to write their complaint application thrice, and only their fourth attempt was accepted. The father has also stated, according to the above video, “Police ki karyawahi dekhi, toh Jo humne likha hai woh aaya hi nahi hai.” (Looking at the steps police as taken, what we have written as complain does not reflect in the actions)

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]]> Wielding ‘Jai Shri Ram’, vigilante violence against Muslims continues with impunity https://sabrangindia.in/wielding-jai-shri-ram-vigilante-violence-against-muslims-continues-with-impunity/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:18:00 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=28411 Several recent videos of Muslims being forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while getting beaten, abused and humiliated have emerged.

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]]> As incidents of hate speech against religious minorities at events organised by hardline Hindu extremists continue, several incidents of violence and intimidation against Muslims also come to light on social media in which goons beat up Muslims, force them to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’, abuse and humiliate them in public. A number of survivors from such violence have ruefully claimed that not much action was taken in the aftermath against the culprits but law enforcement agencies and that the attackers were often priding on the idea that they were immune from facing any consequences of their crimes.

In Maharashtra’s Pune, a couple of weeks ago, a video emerged on 5th July 2023 detailing a group of extremists brutally beating and abusing a Muslim youth over his social media status, where he had allegedly written ‘India is a Muslim nation.’

Similarly, in an unnoted location a recent video on 6th July 2023 has emerged of a poor Muslim woman seeking help through the window of a car when the car seemed to have stopped at what seemed like a traffic light stop. The men in turn in the car asked her to chant the ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The woman appeared to be shocked, confused and afraid as the men closed the window, seemingly laughing at her reaction.

Dabra in Madhya Pradesh witnessed a young Muslim named Mohsin getting kidnapped and beaten severely and abused in a car. The video emerged on 7th of July 2023.  The man being attacked in the video was also forced the lick his attackers feet.

On 8th of July 2023 in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, a young Muslim named Sahib Khan was abused, beaten and forced to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ at a tea shop. Sahib Khan narrates how he was verbally abused and forced to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by man named Mukesh Gujar sitting with a group, at a chai once, and a week later when he went to the chai shop again, he questioned them where it was right to force him to say something, and the attacker staunchly stated  that he would say Jai Shri Raam and make others say it as well, and then when the Muslim man did not bend to his will, the attacker proceeded to call a couple of people to beat Khan up.

 

As per latest reports by journalist Meer Faisal on his Twitter, the survivor is currently being treated at the neighbourhood hospital, and police have already filed an FIR, but no arrest has been made so far.

While the FIR was lodged on July 8, the police have arrested the culprits. Shaib Khan also alleged that the goons told him that even the police could not take any action against them.

Images of Sahib Khan’s FIR. Source: Meer Faisal Twitter.

A shocking and disturbing video was circulated on social media of a Muslims man recently from Bair, in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr. The Muslim man was tied to a tree, tonsured and forced to say “Jai Shri Ram”. The young man’s father has alleged that his son, in turn, has been arrested by the police alleged for theft. His father also stated that his son is being pressured to “compromise” in the case. Despite the indisputable testimony of the video in which the men, who are not visible in the video, are surrounding the lone man and are enjoying torturing him.

This is part of an alarming trend where Muslims themselves who have been victims of violence are subjected to state attack and legal prosecution and investigation instead of the attackers themselves. In such cases, Dalits and Muslims are put pressure on by authorities themselves to take back the FIRs or cases they have filed.

Throughout history, there have been instances where hate speech has served as a warning sign for the occurrence of heinous crimes. In recent times, numerous mass atrocities have taken place, and hate speech has been recognized as a precursor to such acts, including genocide. Although the use of social media and online platforms to disseminate hatred is a relatively recent phenomenon, the manipulation of public discourse for political motives is not unprecedented. According to the UN, historical evidence consistently demonstrates that hate speech, particularly when combined with misinformation, has the potential to result in the marginalisation of certain groups, discrimination, and widespread violence and as vigilante hate crimes run amock in the country, hate events where hardliners come and make anti-Minority and seemingly incendiary and inciteful claims are flourishing across the nation. In a recent event at Shrirampur Maharashtra, on the birthday of Sambhaji Maharaj, Suresh Chavhanke, the notorious news presenter at Sudharshan News, made a speech that was divisive and inflammatory.

Sabrang India, notes that Chavhanke clearly attacks Muslims, similarly boasted on the impunity he enjoys from the law despite having multiple FIRs filed against him. He has also leaned towards hinting that he enjoys political protection from the higher ups in central and state governments.

Furthermore, these are not entirely new phennomonen, on 6th January 2023, at another event covered by SabrangIndia, hateful statements were once again delivered against India’s religious minorities at a joint gathering of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Ranapur, Madhya Pradesh, called the Shaurya Path Sanchalan. The video can be viewed on Twitter.


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]]> Violence against Muslims reported in three states https://sabrangindia.in/violence-against-muslims-reported-in-three-states/ https://sabrangindia.in/violence-against-muslims-reported-in-three-states/#respond Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:29:33 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=26947 The three isolated incidents involved an elderly man being targeted, a young man thrashed to death and a few young boys beaten up

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]]> Three incidents of violence have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka whereby people from the Muslim community have been assaulted, allegedly due to their religious identity. The incident in Gujarat led to the death of one young man, who has left behind a pregnant wife and a young child.

In Jatpur, Uttar Pradesh, Members of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal allegedly assaulted an elderly Muslim man who was found with cattle in a nearby jungle and handed him over to the police.

The video of the incident surfaced on June 6. In the video an elderly bearded man could be seen being harassed by some men in a forest area. He was surrounded by some men and two police personnel were also present and some cattle were around too. The video then cuts to a man chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram”.

On June 5, a report came from Godhra in Gujarat that a young man named Amir Sheikh was allegedly thrashed to death by one Advait Dahyabhai as he had come to take back a Wifi router. Sheikh, working with a broadband company was assigned the task to take back Wifi routers, for which broadband was not renewed. Somehow agitated by Amir’s demand for the router, Advait beat him with a piece of plywood lying around in his office and threatened to kill him if he came around again. Tragically, the beating was already so brutal that Amir reportedly lost consciousness and was admitted to SSG Hospital, Vadodara. However, during treatment, his condition worsened, and he succumbed to his injuries. Amir has left behind a pregnant wife and a young child.

On June 2 an incident was reported from Mangalore, Karnataka at Someswar Beach whereby three Muslim boys were assaulted by unidentified men, allegedly for hanging out with some Hindu girls. Reportedly, they were all medical students. The police reached the spot and took the victims to the hospital. A complaint has been filed but the accused are absconding.

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