Haryana Violence: Bajrang Dal, VHP stage protest in Delhi, block Badarpur border; death toll reaches 6

Over 60 policemen were present at Badarpur and monitored the activities with a drone, while the protesters shouted slogans of ‘Jai Shree ram’, ‘Har Har Mahadev’, ‘Vande Mataram’, among others.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, hearing a plea against the protest by Hindu outfits, has asked authorities to ensure there is no hate speech in the rallies against any community, or violence or damage to property, to deploy additional force where needed, and video record events in all sensitive areas.

The communal violence in the state has claimed six lives so far, with the Bajrang Dal claiming one of its activists Pradeep Sharma succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. Violence first broke out on Monday during the Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra taken out by Bajrang Dal and the VHP in Nuh. The violence spilled to Gurugram on Tuesday, with the death of the naib imam of Anjuman Jama Masjid. Mohammad Saad was allegedly stabbed as a mob set fire to the mosque.

Here’s all you need to know:

1. 01

   A video by Monu Manesar

   A series of messages and videos on social media and messaging apps, ahead of the planned yatra in Nuh, flared tempers.

   One of the videos was by self-proclaimed cow vigilante Mohit Yadav, also known as Monu Manesar, saying he would participate in the yatra. “I will be in the yatra in person and my whole team will also be present,” said Monu, who is an accused in the murders of Junaid and Nasir in Bhiwani, in a video posted as his WhatsApp status on July 29.

   When Monu’s video was posted, the mood in the area changed.

   Monu, however, did not show up. Read more

2. 02

   Who gave yatris weapons, MoS asks

   The Haryana police’s decision to grant permission for Monday’s Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra was based on the assurance that weapons would not feature in the procession.

   However, during the yatra, "locals had guns, sticks and swords. We are reviewing gun licences in the region and action will be taken accordingly,” said Narender Bijarnia, SP Bhiwani.

   Gurgaon MP and Union Minister of State (Independent charge) Rao Inderjit Singh, speaking to The Indian Express stated, "Who gave weapons to them for the procession? Who goes to a procession carrying swords, or sticks? This is wrong. A provocation took place from this side too. I am not saying there was no provocation from the other side." Read more

3. 03

   1 killed in Gurugram mosque attack, had assured kin of safety

   Mohammad Saad, the naib Imam of Anjuman Jama Masjid in Gurgaon, was killed late Monday night.

   A mob of nearly 100 people allegedly broke into the under-construction mosque at Sector 57 and set it on fire. They allegedly stabbed Saad in the neck, chest and abdomen and injured a caretaker, Mohammad Khurshid.

   Shortly before, Saad had spoken to his kin and reassured them he would be safe as there was “enough police deployment” outside the mosque. Read more

4. 04

   Bajrang Dal says activist killed, death toll at 6

   Pradeep Sharma (32) died on Wednesday during treatment at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi. He was injured during violence in Nuh.

   The Bajrang Dal said that Sharma was part of their outfit. This has taken the death toll to six in Haryana.

5. 05

   15 FIRs in Gurgaon, 26 in Nuh

   In Gurgaon, 15 FIRs were registered on July 31 and August 1. Eight people have been arrested and 30 have been detained so far, police said.

   Meanwhile, in Nuh, the police have registered 26 FIRs so far and 116 people have been arrested. On Wednesday morning, Nuh DC Prashant Panwar said there has been no violence in the past 24 hours in the district. He appealed to the people to remain calm and maintain harmony.

6. 06

   Haryana CM Khattar sees ‘conspiracy’

   Promising strict action against the culprits, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Wednesday appealed to the public to maintain peace and brotherhood. Terming it “an unfortunate incident”, he said, “A Yatra was being organised during which some people conspired an attack Yatris and police. Violent incidents were reported at several places. There seems to be a big conspiracy behind this.” Read more

7. 07

   Opposition blames BJP govt for ‘politics of hate’

   Leaders from Congress, CPI(M), Shiv Sena (UBT) and others have targeted the ruling BJP-JJP alliance over the communal violence in Haryana.

   Congress leader Kapil Sibal tweeted, “4 killed on Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express by RPF Jawan. Victims identified by religion; Shops, Mosque torched; Naib Imam killed, apart from 4 others in Nuh Police allegedly collaborated in violence against women in Manipur Acchhe Din? (sic)”

   In a statement, the CPI(M) said: “The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the communal conflagration in the Mewat region of Haryana, starting with Nuh and which has now spread to Gurugram… The state government by its acts of omission and commission is wholly responsible and complicit in the developments.”

8. 08

   What happened on Monday?

   Three persons, including two home guards, were killed and several persons injured in clashes that broke out.

   The violence prompted authorities to suspend internet services and impose prohibitory orders. State Home Minister sought additional forces from the Centre, claiming that “3,000-4,000 people were being held hostage in a temple”. They were evacuated late in the evening. Read more

   One of the FIRs related to the violence, recounts how a “mob of thousands” gheraoed a police station in Nuh, with “rioters” pelting stones, opening fire at police and setting several vehicles of the staff on fire. Here's how the cops fended off the mob.

9. 09

   What happened on Tuesday?

   Shops were vandalised and set on fire as several areas in Gurgaon saw violence following the communal clashes that erupted in Nuh a day earlier.

   Through the day, several incidents of violence were reported across the city. In Badshahpur, several meat shops, a scrap shop and a shop selling mattresses were vandalised by a mob around 2 pm — even as there was heavy police deployment 3 km from the area.

   Following this, the district administration said all schools under the Sohna sub-division will remain shut on Wednesday as well. Read more

10. 10

    What has the Supreme Court said?

    The Supreme Court Wednesday heard a plea against protests by Hindu outfits against the violence in Nuh.

    The court asked authorities to ensure there is no hate speech in the rallies against any community, or violence or damage to property, to deploy additional force where needed, and video record events in all sensitive areas.