Al Jazeera: Rise in Hindu Festival Violence Since BJP Retook India's Maharashtra

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Facts

  • On Friday, Al Jazeera published a report claiming that India's western state of Maharashtra — home to almost 13M Muslims, or 11.5% of its population — has seen a rise in Hindu rallies that allegedly spread anti-Muslim sentiment and often lead to violent clashes since PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in the state in June 2022.1
  • The report pointed to an incident on March 30 that saw nearly 5k people parade the streets of Maharashtra, celebrating the annual Hindu festival of Ram Navami. The celebrants allegedly played loud music and waved saffron flags as they passed by a mosque where Muslims were offering their evening prayers.1
  • Clashes broke out as miscreants hurled stones, accusing each other of disrespecting their right to practice their chosen religion. The police arrested nearly two dozen people.1
  • According to some estimates, at least 50 such festivals have taken place in the state since November. The BJP denies claims that it orchestrates the events, saying they're organized by the Hindu organization Sakal Hindu Samaj, but the events are reportedly frequented by local BJP leaders.2
  • Similar sectarian violence was reported in multiple other states last week, with authorities cutting mobile internet services and detaining nearly 100 people. The violence reportedly saw dozens injured and one person killed.3
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau data, over 3K communal or religious rioting cases were registered in India between 2016 and 2020.4

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2The indian express, 3Itn and 4The wire.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Human rights watch. The latest violent outbreaks during Ram Navami are another reminder of the rampant anti-Muslim agenda in India as right-wing Hindu nationalists antagonize and abuse Muslims. India must confront its rising Islamophobia and protect the rights of all its citizens, not just those of Hindus.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Outlookindia. The liberals are out in the open with their prescriptions to safeguard India’s secular fabric asking Hindus to avoid taking Ram Navami processions through the so-called marginalized Muslim areas. Instead of legitimizing the ghettoization of the specific regions, the authorities must ensure peaceful celebrations and arrest anyone that indulges in stone pelting, targeted attacks, arson, and vandalism — irrespective of their religion.

Predictions