Federal agency arrests 16 Muslims a year after anti-Muslim violence in West Bengal
One year after anti-Muslim violence during Hindu religious celebrations in West Bengal, India’s federal investigation agency arrested 16 Muslims, accusing them of “conspiring and carrying out a communal attack” during a Ram Navami procession in March last year.
Anti-Muslim violence was reported in at least eight states in India in March 2023 during rallies by Hindu extremist outfits. Law enforcement was accused of failing to take action against the Hindu extremist groups.
BJP lawmakers continue to incite violence against Muslims in Maharashtra
In Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician Mahesh Landge gave a speech supporting violence against Christians, whom he accused of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. In Thane, BJP legislator Nitesh Rane openly threatened violence against migrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya refugees, amid police presence. He also peddled the conspiracy theory of “land jihad.”
In Buldhana, Hindu supremacist news editor Suresh Chavhanke delivered a hate-filled speech peddling anti-Muslim conspiracy theories. He falsely claimed that there are 100 million Rohingya refugees and migrants from Bangladesh living in India.
Dalit teen killed amid clashes in Uttar Pradesh, family allege police fired at him
In BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, a 17-year-old Dalit minor was killed and two others were injured in a clash over the installation of a sign depicting B. R. Ambedkar, a Dalit civil rights leader.
The boy’s family have alleged that he was killed in police firing. A video of the incident surfaced on social media showing police pelting stones and charging down civilians with batons.
Hindu extremists deliver anti-Muslim hate speeches in capital city Delhi
In the capital city of New Delhi, Hindu extremist monk Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati gave an inflammatory speech against Muslims, calling Islam “an organized gang of criminals.” In Uttam Nagar, Delhi, Hindu militants indulged in anti-Muslim dog whistling amid chants of the Hindu supremacist warcry “Jai Sri Ram”, at a roadside event organized by the Hindu militant groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.
