DEHRADUN: Four police officers were injured, and several shops owned by Muslims were ransacked during violence that broke out on Thursday when police attempted to stop members of right-wing groups and locals from reaching a 55-year-old mosque they had earlier threatened to raze.
Protesters claimed the mosque was “illegally built” despite the district administration’s recent declaration that the mosque was legally registered in 1969.Police had to resort to lathicharge – and a flag march later – as protesters, unable to reach the mosque, hurled stones at cops.
Uttarkashi SP Amit Srivastava said no formal case had been registered yet, but assured that investigations were underway. “Police took appropriate action after the protesters started pelting stones, which led four officers being injured. We are reviewing videos and CCTV footage to identify those involved in the violence, and a case will be registered soon,” Srivastava said.
Members of Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and other organisations under the ‘Sanyukta Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh Uttarakhand‘ rejected the administration’s statement, saying the district’s official clarification on the mosque “only covered the land on which it is built”. In a statement, the group said, “We have all the documents to prove the mosque is illegal and will soon share them with the people.”
On Sept 10, TOI reported that members of these right-wing outfits held their first protest rally, demanding the demolition of the Jama Masjid and expulsion of Muslim families living nearby.
The protesters had also announced their plan for Thursday’s larger ‘Janakrosh’ rally. Anticipating unrest, police deployed heavy security around the mosque and nearby areas. Barricades were set up to prevent protesters from reaching the mosque.
A local, who requested anonymity, said, “Protesters began gathering at Hanuman Chowk at 9am, and by noon, their number had swelled. They were shouting provocative slogans against the minority community, claiming Uttarkashi has no place for a mosque.”
A member of the minority community, whose family has lived near the mosque for nearly 80 years, toldTOI, “Despite the administration confirming the mosque’s legality, protesters went ahead with their rally. They even attacked the police and vandalised at least four shops owned by Muslims.
We are living in fear. We just want to live and earn our livelihood in peace.” Naeem Qureshi, president of the Dehradun-based Muslim Sewa Sangathan, criticised the authorities for failing to protect minorities. “This rally shows complete disregard for law and order.
The administration’s decision was ignored, and the violence is part of an agenda to create tension and push for a Hindu Rashtra. We demand that the authorities concerned take steps to ensure minorities can live safely as equal citizens in Uttarakhand,” Qureshi said.