Residents of Uttam Nagar in the national capital are anxious about their safety, particularly regarding the ability to gather peacefully for Eid prayers and celebrations
NEW DELHI – Fearing possible communal violence in the Uttam Nagar area of West Delhi ahead of the upcoming Eid festival, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, urging immediate intervention.
APCR, established in 2006, is a team of lawyers, social activists, and grassroots paralegal volunteers to achieve an egalitarian, just society by bridging the gap between law and justice. It offers free legal assistance, financial support, and spreads legal education through the organisation of seminars, workshops, and joint gatherings.
In its representation submitted on Sunday, APCR drew attention to a series of hate speeches, inflammatory posters, and public mobilisation in the area that appear to be openly calling for violence against members of the Muslim community in JJ Colony and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The developments follow an incident of violence between two families that took place on 4 March in JJ Colony, in which the police have already initiated proceedings and arrested some of the accused. APCR stated that what was initially a personal dispute is now being deliberately given a communal colour by certain groups to provoke tensions in the locality.
According to the representation, several speeches circulating on social media and delivered at public gatherings contain explicit threats that Muslims will not be allowed to celebrate Eid in Uttam Nagar. Some statements even call for Holi to be forcibly played with Muslims on the day of Eid and for violence to take place before Eid prayers are offered.
APCR has also flagged the circulation of posters announcing that “Holi will be celebrated in Uttam Nagar on 20 March,” a date that coincides with Eid this year. The organisation warned that such messaging, combined with provocative speeches, has created an atmosphere of fear among residents.
The Eidgah in JJ Colony is used every year by thousands of people from the surrounding neighbourhoods to offer Eid prayers. Locals are now anxious about their safety, particularly regarding the ability to gather peacefully for prayers and celebrations.
APCR has informed the Delhi Police through email about these developments and has also filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Cell regarding the circulation of hateful and inflammatory content on social media platforms.
In its letter, APCR has urged the Delhi Police to identify those responsible for spreading hate speech and incitement to violence and to take strict action under the law. The organisation has also called for regular police patrolling, public warnings against attempts to disturb peace, and adequate security arrangements in and around the Eidgah and nearby mosques.
APCR has further asked the authorities to communicate within 24 hours the steps being taken to prevent any breach of peace in the area.
The representation was submitted by Wasiq Nadim Khan, National Secretary of APCR, with copies marked to the ACP of Dabri Sub Division and the SHO of Uttam Nagar Police Station.
