Cover Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times
On 31 July 2023, on the occasion of Shravan Somwar, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a Hindu shobha yatra in Haryana’s Nuh district in the Mewat region. The event took a violent turn when stones were thrown at the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Religious Mewat Yatra. In videos of the clashes, a mob can be heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” and engaging in riotous activities. During the incident, two home guards were killed, and approximately a dozen policemen sustained injuries as a mob attempted to halt the Hindu religious procession on the auspicious occasion. The situation escalated as the mob pelted stones and set cars on fire, leading to clashes and causing significant unrest in the area.
After individuals from a minority community reportedly attacked one of the vehicles in the religious procession, the police responded by using teargas shells to disperse the crowds. The situation escalated with both sides engaging in stone-throwing, leading to increased anxiety in the area. As a precautionary measure, authorities imposed Section 144 to maintain order.
To address the tense situation, the Nuh Deputy Commissioner scheduled a meeting with representatives from both parties involved in the clashes. Additionally, in an effort to curb the spread of misinformation and rumors on social media platforms, the Home Secretary of Haryana ordered the suspension of mobile internet services in the district from 31 July to 2 August 2023. As per media reports, the suspension of mobile internet services in the Nuh district was aimed at controlling the situation and preventing any further loss of life and damage to public and private properties.
During the Shobha yatra, participants, including women, were stranded at Nuh temples, chowks, and other buildings after a mob began pelting stones at them. A VHP leader confirmed that numerous VHP workers were also trapped in Nuh temples. When the yatra was attacked, some VHP workers sought help. They also highlighted that the mob had targeted them in a well-organised manner. Consequently, many devotees were forced to seek shelter to protect themselves from stone-throwing and gunshots. Media reports suggested that the yatra participants sought refuge in a temple near Gurugram due to the volatile situation.
During the unrest, the mob resorted to pelting stones and setting several cars on fire. The police initially attempted to disperse the mob by using teargas shells and firing shots in the air but eventually had to call for reinforcements. ADGP (Law and Order) Mamta Singh later led additional forces to rescue the people (approximately 2500 of them) who had sought shelter at the Nalhar temple in Nuh.
A news portal named Maktoob Media reported the violent rioting and mob activity as a “clash” which broke out during a “VHP rally” in Nuh.
Maktoob Media was one of the Indian publications credited by BBC for its documentary which was a smear campaign against India’s majority and government elected by it. This is how they have reported today’s violence in Nuh-Mewat –
“breakout during VHP rally”procession by VHP… pic.twitter.com/y4Cxn8Rv9H
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) July 31, 2023
This media outlet was previously credited by BBC in a banned documentary which was perceived as a smear campaign against PM Modi. The report claimed that “a procession by Bajrang Dal and VHP turned violent” while it is very clear what the identity of the perpetrators is.
New information reveals that the riot in Nuh was preplanned. A Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, Alok Kumar, who was present during the violence shared details with OpIndia, claiming that the attack on the religious yatra was premeditated. He alleged that it was a planned attack and that the mob had gathered stones two days before the Shobha Yatra, which indicated that they had a clear intention of targeting Hindus during the religious procession.
The VHP leader also said that, “the yatra is carried out every year, and that the police was not prepared for this procession but the Muslims were. They have been collecting stones for the past few days and planning was being carried out. The yatra would have progressed only about 1 km that the attack started. The attack was an organised one. They attempted to hurt us as we ran. Stone pelting, arson, shots fired, with such a huge preparation that such a horrifying incident takes place, and people are getting killed and injured. Yes, there is information that it was a sensitive area but the government did not take adequate measures. I believe that this is an error on the side of Intelligence.”
Video statement by VHP president, Alok Kumar Ji. pic.twitter.com/s6KBQErPJV
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) July 31, 2023
When the yatra came under attack, some VHP workers sought assistance as they were targeted by the mob in a well-organised manner. They highlighted that the mob had targeted them in an organised manner as a result of which many devotees became hostages since they had to find shelter to protect themselves from stone pelting and gunshots.
Here a VHP leader is talking about how Hindus came under attack by a Muslim mob. He says that the mob was trying to ensure that Hindus, including women, were made hostages. pic.twitter.com/rMkxYPbMxF
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) July 31, 2023
Here are some videos that were sent to me by VHP leaders and workers on ground.
This apparently shows some VHP workers fleeing after their car came under attack by a mob pelting stones. pic.twitter.com/GJmhCQrywr
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) July 31, 2023
As a response to the violent events, authorities have decided to keep all schools and colleges in Gurugram and Faridabad closed on Tuesday, August 1. In addition, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been enforced in Gurugram and Nuh to maintain public order and prevent any further unrest.
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