Management members of the historic shrine face allegations after Bajrang Dal men create a ruckus; Muslims demand impartial action from police authorities
NEW DELHI/ KAUSAMBI — Tension has continued in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district after members of the Bajrang Dal were accused of entering the mazar of Syed Salar Ghazi in Shahzadpur village and allegedly vandalising the premises and assaulting devotees. However, instead of registering a case against those accused of the attack, police have booked four caretakers of the shrine, leading to anger among members of the Muslim community.
The incident reportedly took place on 9 July in the Kokhraj police station area of Kaushambi district. According to locals and mazar management members, around 25 to 30 Bajrang Dal activists entered the premises and created a disturbance. They allegedly damaged property and assaulted caretakers and people who had come for prayers.
The incident created tension in the area, following which a large police force was deployed as a precautionary measure to prevent any further conflict.
Bajrang Dal members reportedly alleged that many Hindu women visited the shrine and claimed that they were being involved in religious conversion activities there. They also accused the mazar authorities of promoting what they called “love jihad”. However, these allegations have been rejected by local Muslims, who have demanded an investigation based on evidence.
Instead of acting against those accused of entering the mazar and allegedly attacking people, police have registered an FIR against four caretakers of the shrine following a complaint filed by Bajrang Dal member Chandan Kumar.
The complaint alleges that visitors were given intoxicating water in the name of traditional healing practices and were encouraged to change their religion to solve their personal problems. Based on these allegations, the police registered a case against the four caretakers and started further investigation.
The police action has caused strong resentment among members of the Muslim community, who say the authorities have taken one-sided action.
Locals questioned why those accused of damaging the mazar and assaulting people were not booked, while the caretakers of the religious site were made the accused in the case.
A local community member said: “Action should have been taken against those who entered the shrine and created violence. Instead, the caretakers have been made the accused. This raises serious questions about whether the investigation is being conducted fairly.”
Muslim residents also questioned the allegations of forced conversion and said that if authorities had any information about illegal activities, the matter should have been reported to the police instead of allowing private groups to take action.
They asked why Bajrang Dal activists were allowed to enter a religious place and carry out an alleged attack instead of approaching the administration with their complaints.
“If there was any wrongdoing, the police should have investigated it. No organisation has the right to enter a place of worship, damage property and attack people,” another resident said.
Questions have also been raised about the role of the local administration. Community members said that if such serious allegations existed, officials should have been aware and taken legal action earlier instead of allowing tensions to rise.
They accused the authorities of failing to protect the mazar and its visitors and demanded that action be taken against all those responsible, regardless of their identity or organisation.
Police officials have so far maintained silence over allegations that the action was one-sided. No clear statement has been issued explaining why the Bajrang Dal members accused by mazar authorities of violence have not faced similar legal action.
The incident has once again raised concerns among minority communities about the protection of religious places and the role of law enforcement agencies in handling disputes involving religious groups.
Muslim organisations and locals have demanded a neutral inquiry, saying that justice can only be delivered when all sides are investigated fairly and those responsible for violence are held accountable.
