Hindu and Muslim riots in India have been occurring for centuries, but they have been through significant increase and rise lately. One of the most gruesome recent incidents concerning Hindu-Muslim relations was the incident of the demolition of the Babri Masjid by the Hindus in 1993. This particular incident not only caused considerable heartbreak amongst Indian Muslims but also marked the emergence of a new order of violence and brutal intolerance in Indian society.
The November 1992 act of destroying the Babri Masjid, which aimed to target Islam and its sites, conceived what has now expanded on a large scale. This aggression has worsened under the new occupation, as these actions seem to have gained even more popularity within the current Indian government.
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh: Targeting Our Mosques Muslims in Uttarakhand
The latest Indian newspaper articles have mentioned a systematic pattern utilized by radical Hindu organizations in the northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where they are demanding the destruction of mosques. There has been an alarming increase in violence in several towns, particularly in Shimla and Uttarkashi, where these groups have taken a cue from the call for the destruction of certain mosques.
Shimla: The Sanjauli Mosque BioCirc Mediators Muslims in Uttarakhand
The Sanjauli mosque in Shimla is one of the main targets of this campaign. Hindu fanatics argue that the mosque was built on Waqf land and is, therefore, illegal and must be removed. This narrative is fuelling aggression towards Muslims in the area. Hence, these local Muslim populations are terrified, with most of them not knowing for how long they will continue to ward off such extreme calls for the destruction of their places of worship.
Uttarkashi: Ultimatums And Threats Muslims in Uttarakhand
In Uttarkashi, the situation had even grown worse. A Brahminic supremacist and its associates declared a local mosque illegal and ordered the authorities to destroy the mosque physically in three days. This has left local Muslims feeling a sense of panic and apprehensive of violence. They cannot breathe or live peacefully.
This request shows how far Hindu fundamentalists’ stance has hardened in attempting to undermine and mute Muslim dissent. This is not the only instance why this campaign toward the targeted mosque demolition is deeply historical in the context of the state, which aims to eliminate all traces of Muslim religious presence from the public space in areas dominated by the Hindu population.
Extremist Hindu Protests: Anti-Muslim Slogans and Aggressive Demands
Besides their legal and political obstruction, these extremist elements have, to some extent, turned to the satisfaction of warmongering primary masses and most often do this through street riots. Such protests contain inflammatory anti-Muslim slogans aimed at fostering hatred and division among communities through religion.
These protests are such with Hindu fundamentalists looking further to intimidate local Muslims and local authorities through these means to bend to the will of the extremists.
The Function of the State Muslims in Uttarakhand
During this time in India’s history, these groups under Modi felt encouraged to pursue their anti-Masjid missions with little worry of punishment. The absence of law enforcement, and in some instances, government endorsement of such actions, created a permissive environment for crimes against the religious minority.
These assaults against Muslims are portrayed as cases of checkpoint violence. Still, they form part of a more significant explosive intolerance and violence that has been building since Modi became the Prime Minister. The government continues to perpetuate impunity around these attacks, sending a very worrying message that attacking Muslims is not only acceptable but is also the norm.
Conclusion: The Need for Intervention
The physical attacks on the Muslims and their holy sites in the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are an alarming indication of hope for more Hindutva terrorism in India’s future.
ANC has a good point about the Indian government. Otherwise, the violation of Muslims’ rights will aggravate, which will only lead to greater domestic tension between the religions in the country.
