Investigation confirms that a shrine existed for 20 years, built by the Hindu farmer’s son; attempts to polarise voters ahead of panchayat elections revealed
NEW DELHI/BIJNOR — A rumour that a Muslim man had built a shrine overnight on a Hindu farmer’s land in Abhipura village, Nangal Soti area of Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh, stirred tension across the village on Saturday. With Panchayat elections approaching, this misinformation sparked fear and suspicion, drawing the attention of district police and media alike.
The alleged incident involved farmer Lotan Singh’s land, where a shrine had existed for over two decades. According to investigations, the shrine was built by Lotan Singh’s son during the process of land consolidation in the area, intended to protect the property. Contrary to the circulating rumours, no saint or religious figure is buried at the site. A local farmer explained, “My son built this shrine 20 years ago. It was purely for land purposes and not for any religious reasons. No Muslim or any other community member constructed it.”
The misunderstanding gained momentum when a young Muslim man, Abid, visited the shrine in recent months and performed certain rituals under the guise of local customs. Unfortunately, this benign action was twisted into a communal controversy. “Abid came occasionally, but he never tried to create any trouble,” said a villager who wished to remain anonymous. “It is sad that his innocent visits were used to spread lies.”
District police acted promptly after receiving reports of the alleged shrine construction. City SP Krishna Gopal said, “Once the matter was brought to our attention, a detailed investigation was conducted. We found that the shrine was decades old and not built by any Muslim. The rumours were deliberately spread to create division among communities ahead of elections.” The police, with the help of local villagers, demolished the tin shed that had been erected over the shrine, which was part of the recent misrepresentation.
The timing of the false claims is significant. With Panchayat elections approaching in the village, attempts were made to polarise Hindu and Muslim voters. The son of Lotan Singh, who also served as the former village head, was identified as the primary person responsible for spreading the rumour. An honest farmer, noticing the manipulative attempt, came forward to expose the truth. “It was clear to me that someone was trying to disturb the harmony of our village for political benefit,” he said. “I could not remain silent.”
Locals expressed relief that the police acted swiftly to prevent any communal tension. “We live together peacefully,” said another villager. “Hindus and Muslims in Abhipura have always respected each other. This false story could have destroyed years of trust. Thankfully, the authorities intervened in time.”
Political analysts have highlighted the dangerous trend of using communal narratives for electoral gains. “This is a classic case where misinformation is weaponised to influence voters,” said a political observer based in Uttar Pradesh. “The real concern is how quickly rumours can spread in rural areas and create unnecessary fear. The responsibility lies with local leaders and media to verify before amplifying such claims.”
The incident also underscores the responsible conduct of the Muslim community in the village. Despite being falsely accused, there was no retaliatory action or public unrest from local Muslims. Community elders emphasised that unity and harmony are more important than reacting to provocations. As one Muslim elder in the village stated, “We live alongside our Hindu neighbours for generations. We will not allow a lie to disturb our friendship and peace.”
The police have assured that legal action will be taken against those who spread the rumours and those who erected the tin shed over the shrine. SP Krishna Gopal added, “We are committed to maintaining communal harmony and taking strict action against any attempts to disrupt it. Everyone must understand that the law will not tolerate such divisive activities.”
Historically, Abhipura village has been a model of communal coexistence, with Hindus and Muslims sharing festivals, customs, and community responsibilities. Local elders believe that incidents like this, though rare, are politically motivated rather than organically arising from community differences. “Abhipura has always been peaceful. Any disruption is always instigated by outsiders or those with selfish motives,” said an elder.
This incident is a reminder of the perils of misinformation, especially in sensitive communal contexts. Experts emphasise that prompt police intervention, responsible journalism, and vigilant villagers are critical in preventing violence. “The truth came out because people were alert and authorities acted responsibly,” said a local journalist. “It is a lesson for other villages too, where rumours can quickly turn into communal conflicts if unchecked.”
The Bijnor shrine controversy has highlighted both the risks of political manipulation and the importance of communal harmony. Honest villagers, law enforcement, and responsible community members ensured that the false narrative was exposed before it could escalate. As one resident summed up, “We must not allow elections to divide us. Hindus and Muslims in our village have lived together peacefully, and we will continue to do so. Lies will not break our unity.”
