Syed Ali Mujtaba
NEW DELHI — Recent political upheaval in Bangladesh and the ensuing misinformation campaign launched in the mainstream Indian media against the purported attacks on Hindus there have a negative bearing on communal amity in the country.
In the perceived threat to Hindus in Bangladesh, Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj, a priest from Maharashtra, found a perfect opportunity to make incendiary and blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islam.
A viral video clip of the seven-day religious event in Shah Panchale village in Nashik’s Sinnar taluk that concluded on August 17, Ramgiri Maharaj is shown mouthing the derogatory remarks.
Defending himself, the priest told the media that the issue was being sensationalised and the one-and-a-half-hour event was trimmed for a few seconds and was made viral.
“I raised my concern over the atrocities Hindus are facing in Bangladesh. I only said that if we are not careful, similar incidents can occur in India as well. I said so referring to Bangladesh and their culture of marriage as practiced in Islam. My only motive was that Hindus should unite,” he said.
Protests erupted in various parts of the country, especially in Maharashtra. The biggest among them took place in Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh where the authorities demolished houses of the protestors who demanded action against the Hindu hate monger.
The protesters turned violent and attacked the police station injuring four police personnel. In retaliation, the police detained over 50 suspects and arrested 20 of them. An FIR was registered against those arrested under many serious charges.
The bungalow and three luxury cars of Haji Shehzad Ali, former vice president of Congress in Chhatarpur, bore the brunt of the authorities’ ire. The Muslim leader was accused of leading the protests and instigating mob violence. Apart from Shehzad’s bungalow, properties of other Muslims including the house of his brother and a local councillor, Azad Ali, were also demolished.
Chhatarpur District Collector Parth Jaiswal said the bulldozers were sent as a part of an anti-encroachment drive. A notice was already served for the illegal construction and the houses were built without permission.
A few days ago, the BJP government in Rajasthan demolished the rented house of a Muslim family because their son was allegedly involved in the stabbing of his classmate in Udaipur on 16 August.
Dr Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com
