Mosque authorities in Dhalai have filed a complaint, and the police are investigating. Imam Maulana Mohammad Saiful Islam condemned the act, stating it was a deliberate attempt to hurt religious sentiments and create unrest
NEW DELHI — Miscreants desecrated and then attempted to burn portions of the Mainama Jame Masjid located on the Manu–Chawmanu Road in Tripura’s Dhalai district on Thursday. Liquor bottles with a threatening note and a Bajrang Dal flag were also found inside the mosque’s prayer area. Authorities described the sordid incidents as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the local Muslim community and incite violence.
The arson attempt and other incidents of violence and attacks on Muslims and their places of worship occurred in the aftermath of protests against events in Bangladesh.
Fortunately, no one was present in Mainama Jame Masjid during Thursday’s incident.
The handwritten note, reported in media outlets read, “Jai Shri Ram. This is the first and last warning today. Something big is going to happen next time. Bajrang Dal. Jai Shri Ram. Be careful and listen properly. Even a small mistake will not be forgiven or tolerated.”
Mosque authorities have filed a complaint, and the police are investigating. Imam Maulana Mohammad Saiful Islam condemned the act, stating it was a deliberate attempt to hurt religious sentiments and create unrest.
The incident has raised concerns about rising Islamophobia and hate speech in India.
“Thankfully, no one was inside the mosque when the incident took place, as we all had gone for a programme in the Panisagar area. When we returned, we realised that parts of the mosque had been set on fire, though it had been doused by then. There were Kingfisher liquor bottles, a flag with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ written on it, and a threatening note,” he was quoted by online media reports.
Calling it a grave insult to Islam, the imam rubbished the idea of accident. “It was done intentionally to hurt religious sentiments and create tension,” he said,
The imam said that Dhalai has a considerable Christian and Buddhists along with a sizable Muslim and Hindu population. “We have lived in communal harmony and respect each other’s faith. But outfits like Bajrang Dal are creating an atmosphere of fear,” he said, adding that a police complaint has been filed.
So far, no arrests have been made.
In August this year, a packet of meat with a warning letter was discovered during afternoon prayers by the imam of Jama Masjid located in Tripura’s Unakoti district.
The letter demanded the mosque’s demolition, claiming it was constructed 300 years ago and hence its existence is redundant. “We want Govinda’s abode back,” read its contents.
