“The entire Muslim community shouldn’t be singled out and forced into unemployment as a result of one person”, says Shehar Qazi reddering to the targeting of the community.
In Uttarakhand, Muslim religious leaders have organised a “mahapanchayat” on June 18 to protest the “increasing targeting” of their group.
Days after minority group traders in Uttarkashi were forced to their businesses and leave the state amid counsel conflicts, Muslim religious leaders in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun have called for a “mahapanchayat” on June 18 to protest what they claim is “increasing targeting” of their community.
The interfaith strife began on May 26 after two males, a Muslim and a Hindu, were accused of attempting to kidnap a 14-year-old girl. Although courts and the Union government do not formally recognise it, local residents claimed it was an instance of “love jihad,” a term used by right-wing organisations to describe a purported conspiracy by Muslim men to pursue and seduce Hindu women.
While the two suspects, local shopkeeper Ubed Khan (age 24) and motorbike mechanic Jitender Saini (age 23), were detained on May 27, the incident sparked protests by right-wing groups in a number of locations and attacks on Muslim business and homes.
At the Purola market in Uttarkashi on June 5, there were also posters warning Muslim business owners to close their doors and leave the country by June 15. Muslims have kept their businesses closed due to the hostility, and several families have left the area.
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Shehar Qazi Mohammad Ahmad Qasmi of Dehradun presided over a gathering of Muslim religious leaders on Saturday to discuss the current climate of anti-Muslim sentiment in Uttarakhand. On June 18, there will be a mahapanchayat of Muslim religious authorities. Participants will come from all over the state, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haldwani, according to Waseem Ahmed, media coordinator for Muslim Seva Sangathan, a group that advocates for the rights of Muslims.
Shehar Qazi of Dehradun, Mohammad Ahmad Qasmi, stated: “In the highlands, innocent Muslims are being driven out. It is appropriate to punish those who committed the crime. The entire community shouldn’t be singled out and forced into unemployment as a result of one person.
He continued, “Through the mahapanchayat, we just want to make a message not to punish the innocent.” The state’s recent trends are concerning. The messages on the posters and the viewpoints expressed by right-wing organisations during protest marches constitute hate speech.
Religious identity should not be a cause for hatred or fear-mongering in India. Since the Supreme Court mandated that states, including Uttarakhand, prosecute hate speech even when no complaints are filed, the state police are now required to crack down on such incidents.
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Right-wing organisations have stated they will not permit the Muslims to attend their gathering on June 18 and are slated to convene a mahapanchayat on June 15.
Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan’s founder, Swami Darshan Bharti, declared that “even if we have to take a big step, we will not permit this (mahapanchayat by Muslims) to happen.”
On June 15, a mahapanchayat would be held in Purola, Bharti continued. Shiv Kumar Baranwal, the additional district magistrate (ADM) for Dehradun, stated: “Nobody has yet contacted us to request approval for a mahapanchayat in Dehradun. If consent is requested, we will proceed as necessary.
On May 29, a protest march in Purola descended into violence when some of the protesters attacked Muslim-owned businesses. On June 3, a similar demonstration was held under the auspices of the Yamuna Ghati Hindu Jagriti Sangathan. The uproar drew close to 900 participants.
Image courtesy: Hindustan Times
The demonstrators also gave the Purola sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) a document asking for confirmation of visitors coming from outside the town to conduct business. A few Muslim families delivered a note to Purola SDM on June 5 outlining their financial situation and requesting protection so they could restart their businesses.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave director general of police (DGP) Ashok Kumar strong instructions to take action against “increasing love jihad cases in the state” during a high-level meeting with senior police officials on Friday.
Manveer Singh Chauhan, state BJP media coordinator, responded to the Muslim leaders’ call for a mahapanchayat by saying: “If Muslims have advocated for a mahapanchayat, they are free to discuss any issue but they should not rationalise rising cases of love jihad.”
“We don’t support extremism from any side,” said Garima Mehra Dasauni, the state congress’ chief spokesman. The peace of the state and its tourism-based economy may be irreparably damaged.
