New Delhi (Agency): Imran Ali, 25, originally from Bihar, had come to Gurugram seeking work and a better life. But on July 31, after violence engulfed the city, Ali found himself fleeing for safety. Two weeks later, he returned just to gather his possessions, ready to heed his family’s urgent pleas for him to come home. “My family strictly told me not to work in Gurugram and to return immediately,” Ali shared with IANS.
This sentiment is not isolated to Ali. Many Muslims in the region have shared similar concerns after religious riots erupted in Nuh on July 31. This tragic event resulted in the death of six individuals, while another 88 sustained severe injuries. These riots were sparked by incidents of stone-pelting during a religious procession orchestrated by the VHP in Nuh.
One Muslim resident of Nuh remarked to IANS, speaking on the condition of anonymity, about the escalating tensions. “Majority of Hindus believe that people in Nuh participated in the riots, but this isn’t true. Just as Hindus are, we Muslims are also equally Indians.” He described derogatory language directed at Muslims during a religious Yatra.
The turmoil in Nuh quickly spread to Gurugram. There, groups took to the streets, chanting nationalistic slogans, and targeting Muslim homes and businesses. Reports indicate that Gurugram’s police forces struggled to contain the riots.
Till now, the Nuh Police have detained 230 individuals, while the Gurugram Police have arrested 79 in relation to the religious disturbances.
Ahmad Khan, another resident planning to leave the city, expressed his concerns. “Hindu groups are openly spreading hate against us,” he stated, noting the economic impact. “They are advocating for boycotts against Muslims, not buying from our businesses, and refusing to lease homes to us.” As a result, several Muslims have chosen to leave Gurugram.
Khan further elaborated on the deepening divide, saying, “It feels as though everything in this country – the police, administration, even the streets – belongs solely to the Hindus. We Muslims feel like we have no rights here.”
Further incidents have stirred the pot. Muslim-owned shanties and scrap shops were set on fire in Gurugram. In one particularly distressing episode in Gurugram’s Sector-57, an under-construction mosque was targeted by a mob. This attack resulted in the death of an Imam, with several others injured.
The ongoing religious tensions in Gurugram and Nuh highlight the delicate fabric of multicultural societies. For many, the hope is that peace and understanding will eventually prevail, allowing all residents to feel safe and valued.