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#ArrestZubair Trends As Alleged Fact-Checker Peddles Half-Truths On Gujarat University Clash, Video Shows Afghan Student Hitting Hindu Youth

The Commune

Once again, self-styled fact-checker Mohammed Zubair has been exposed for spreading a false narrative, seizing the chance to stoke tensions between Muslims and Hindus.

On the night of 16 March 2024, international students from various countries such as Africa, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, who are enrolled at Gujarat University, reported incidents of physical assault, stone-throwing, and vandalism. These attacks occurred while the students were observing Ramazan Taraweeh prayers in a designated area within their hostel, A-Block.

The students were offering Namaz in an open area when questioned by around 25 Hindu students about the location’s suitability. This led to an altercation, escalating into a clash where stones were thrown, and rooms vandalized, causing injuries. Some students sustained injuries and are presently receiving treatment at SVP Hospital.

Two foreign students, one from Sri Lanka and the other from Kazakhstan, reportedly sustained injuries. The City Police Commissioner reported swift police response and ongoing scrutiny of videos capturing the incident.

Reports say that foreign students had been using a wall and stage as an open mosque, where Arabic script was displayed. Congress and AIMIM expressed support for the foreign Muslim students involved, with AIMIM sharing videos from their perspective, escalating communal tensions. Authorities including the Vice Chancellor and investigative teams are addressing the situation, with a state-level meeting convened to further address the matter.

As is his custom, he manipulated the incident to suit his agenda, altering the video to craft a biased portrayal suggesting Hindu students attacked Muslim students during prayers.

This post rapidly disseminated, causing individuals, news media and political figures to accept its validity and propagate it through their social media accounts.

However, contrary to the fabricated narrative, the true sequence of events unfolded on 16th March 2024 at the Gujarat University hostel, where a confrontation erupted between local and foreign students. This altercation resulted in the destruction of property, including laptops, AC units, and other belongings in room number 23 of the ‘A’ block, as well as damage to vehicles parked outside. The incident transpired around 10 PM, leading to the filing of a police report at 12:45 AM, following a complaint from the hostel’s security personnel.

The Gujarat University hostel houses approximately 300 foreign students from countries such as Afghanistan, various African nations, Sri Lanka, and others. Among these, 75 students reside in the ‘A’ block. On the 16th of March, some of these students were engaged in offering Namaz in an open area within the hostel grounds. However, a group of approximately 25 Hindu students raised objections to their choice of location, arguing that the ground was a public space and not designated as a mosque or madrasa. In response, an Afghan student named Harun Afghani approached and slapped a Hindu youth, sparking the initial altercation which rapidly escalated into a clash. During the confrontation, stones were thrown, and rooms were vandalized, resulting in property damage and injuries to several students.

The City Police Commissioner stated that law enforcement reached the scene within ten minutes of the incident. Additionally, he noted that several videos depicting the confrontation, including a significant slap, are currently being examined closely. Investigations have unveiled that foreign students recently misused a wall and stage, converting them into an unauthorized mosque. The wall bore Arabic script stating ‘Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim’ (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), serving as a place where groups of foreign students gathered for Namaz prayers five times a day.

Additionally Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police GS Malik said, “Around 300 foreign students study in Gujarat University and around 75 foreign students stay in A Block (Hostel). Yesterday, at around 10:30 pm a group of students were offering Namaz. Around 20-25 people came and asked them why they were offering Namaz here & should instead read it in the Masjid. An argument broke out between them, stones were pelted and their rooms were vandalized by the people who came from outside…Police took swift action & FIR has been registered against 20-25 people…Action will be taken against those involved in this…One person has been identified. Law & order situation is under control now…Two students from Sri Lanka & Tajikistan are admitted to the hospital”

As online users grew increasingly upset with Mohammed Zubair, a fact-checker known for promoting biased narratives, his reports were accused of fueling communal tension and quickly became a top trending in India topic under #ArrestZubair. It’s worth mentioning that Zubair has previously faced criticism for his role in sparking tensions and advocating for the arrest of Nupur Sharma through provocative propaganda.

(With Inputs From OpIndia)

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