Attack on mosque in Gurugram India by Hindu nationalists
Aljazeera reported this week that Muslims in Gurugram, India, are living in fear following a series of attacks on their community. The violence began on the night of July 31 when a Hindu far-right mob targeted the Anjuman Jama mosque in Gurugram’s Sector 57. The mosque, which used to accommodate up to 450 worshippers, was set ablaze, and its deputy imam, Mohammad Saad, was killed during the attack.
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The violence came in the wake of clashes in the neighboring Nuh district, where a Hindu religious procession organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal turned violent, resulting in four deaths, including two policemen. Authorities deployed additional troops, imposed a curfew, and suspended the internet to control the unrest, but Hindu mobs continued to attack Muslim-owned shops, businesses, and places of worship in Gurugram and nearby towns.
In Sohna town, Muslim-owned shops along the main road were torched by a Hindu mob on July 31. The attackers selectively targeted Muslim establishments, leaving Hindu-owned shops untouched. The Shahi Jama mosque in Sohna was also attacked, and nearby homes were vandalized.
The violence has left Muslims in the region fearful for their safety. In Nuh, residents reported arbitrary arrests of Muslim men by the police in connection with the violence, causing panic among the community. Hindu far-right groups have been accused of inciting violence against Muslims, and some videos show hate speeches against the minority community.
The situation has raised concerns, particularly as India is set to host a Group of 20 (G20) summit in New Delhi in the coming month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faced criticism for his silence on such incidents and recent ethnic violence in other regions of the country.
Authorities have arrested several individuals in connection with the attacks, but many Muslims are sceptical about the impartiality of the investigations and fear further targeting.
The incidents in Gurugram and Nuh highlight the ongoing communal tensions and challenges faced by India in maintaining peace and harmony among its diverse religious communities.
