Curfew was extended till Thursday in Karauli district of Indian state of Rajasthan amid continued victimization of Muslims by Hindutva forces.
The state government ordered extension of curfew till Thursday and also imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Karauli district. The internet service was also shut down in the district.The curfew was imposed in the district after activists of Hindutva organizations including Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal launched attacks on Muslims,burnt their houses, shops and other properties on Saturday.
Anti-Muslim violence broke out after Hindu groups took out a bike rally in the name of celebrating the Hindu New Year in a Muslim locality in Karauli city and raised provoking slogans. In a rally Hindutva songs inciting violence against Muslims were also played on speakers.
Moreover, the participants of the rally pelted stones on the houses in the locality, later burning the shops and vehicles of the residents to the ground.
According to the police, as many as 40 people have been injured in the clashes, prompting authorities to clamp a curfew, suspend the internet and deploy 600 police personnel.
After the incident, the authorities declared curfew in the area from 6:30pm on April 2 to 12am on April 4 and suspended the internet service. Meanwhile, 46 people were arrested and seven others were detained for interrogation following the incident.
Officials said 600 policemen, including 50 officers of the ranks of deputy superintendent of police and inspector, have been deployed and three IPS officers have been sent from Jaipur to Karauli.
On the other hand, Yati Narsinghanand, the head priest of the Dasna Devi temple, said that 50% of Hindus would convert to Islam if a Muslim were to become the Prime Minister of India, Zee News reported.
In a recent ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat’ attended by many Hindu supremacists, he also encouraged Hindus to hold arms to fight for themselves.
“If you want to change the future, become a man, man is the one who has arms in hand,” Yati is heard saying in the video.—AP
