Recent incidents include the fatal assault on Maulana Abdul Rasheed in Odisha and the beating of a Muslim youth in Bareilly
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A disturbing trend is being noticed in several states wherein anti-Muslim attacks have sharply increased, with many of the assailants justifying their violence by citing alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh after the recent upheaval in the neighboring country. These incidents have sparked widespread concern, particularly among minority communities.
According to reports shared by a user on social networking site X, operating under the handle “The Muslim,” these attacks began escalating on August 10. The Muslim detailed several horrifying events through pictures and videos, highlighting the growing communal tensions.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Odisha, where Maulana Abdul Rasheed, a respected scholar, was fatally assaulted. The attack took place at Darpan Chandi Khol, Jajapura, where a Hindu mob accused him of being a Bangladeshi. Maulana Rasheed was reportedly in the village collecting donations for a madrasa when the assault occurred. “They called him a Bangladeshi and attacked him without mercy,” wrote The Muslim, underlining the brutal nature of the incident.
In Delhi, a junk dealer was viciously beaten by individuals chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” a slogan increasingly associated with Hindutva violence. The attackers alleged that the dealer was a Bangladeshi, although he was simply a poor worker. Additionally, slums inhabited by Muslims near temples in Delhi were ransacked, with the attackers claiming that the huts were occupied by Rohingya Muslims.
“The situation is dire,” remarked The Muslim. “Hindutva groups are targeting poor Muslims, accusing them of being Bangladeshis, and justifying their violence in the name of religion.”
The violence has also spread to other regions, with Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh witnessing a particularly harrowing case. A young Muslim man named Jalaluddin was savagely beaten by a mob, who accused him of breaking a trident. Despite his desperate pleas for mercy, the crowd, including individuals identified as Chandrapal, Inderpal, and Nanhi Devi, continued their assault. The Muslim described the scene, noting that more than five dozen people participated in the attack, leaving Jalaluddin severely injured.
In Muzaffarpur, Bihar, another Muslim youth faced a similar fate. The attackers, identified as Sant Kumar, Chandan, and Golu, forced the youth to the ground, placing a foot on his chest, and mercilessly beat him while chanting religious slogans. “Jai Shri Ram was shouted as they inflicted pain on the young man,” The Muslim shared, noting that the attackers have since been arrested.
The string of attacks has raised alarm among human rights groups and the general public, with many calling for immediate action to curb the growing violence. The Muslim’s posts have shed light on the plight of the affected individuals and the escalating communal tensions in various parts of India.
“The communal harmony of our nation is under severe threat,” stated a concerned Delhi resident. “These attacks are not just about religion; they are about humanity, and we need to address this before it spirals further out of control.”
As investigations continue, there is a pressing need for authorities to take swift and decisive action to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. The rise in such incidents underscores the importance of fostering unity and understanding in a country as diverse as India.