In a fresh wave of violence against Muslims, at least 15 mosques and dozens of houses and businesses have been attacked by Hindutva mobs in the Indian state of Tripura within the past week.
The violence erupted after a rally was called by the Hindutva militant organisation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a week after neighbouring Bangladesh witnessed incidents of violence against the Hindu community.
Hindutva groups like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VH) and Bajrang Dal were part of the rally.
Several photos and videos on social media show the Hindutva mobs wearing saffron cloths and armed with swords chanting anti-Muslim slogans and calling for violence in the area. The rhetoric forced several Muslim residents to flee from their houses.
The desecration and vandalism of mosques took place in the Krishnanagar, Dharmanagar, Panisagar and Chandrapur regions as well as the Maharani region in Gomathi district.
Police have also confirmed that the houses and mosques that were attacked belonged to minority communities and cases have been filed.
The authorities have already imposed section 144 in the region which prohibits unlawful assembly and security has been beefed up. More than four people cannot assemble in one place, but this has not stopped Hindutva mobs from attacks and openly calling for violence against Muslims.
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Jamiat Ulma Hind state president, Mufti Tayebur Rahman, said: “The government and its administration should play a strong role in stopping all conspiracies and unpleasant activities of the perpetrators. Action should be taken against those who are posting provocative communal messages on social media and creating unrest by spreading false rumours.”
Documentation of the Oppressed (DOTO), an online platform in India that keeps track of and monitors hate crimes, tweeted: “Scattered reports of vandalism, intimidation and targeting of mosques and houses of Muslims are emerging from Tripura. Apparently, some protests against the anti-minority violence in Bangladesh are turning violent in Tripura.”
Incidents of sexual violence were also reported to the police. A rough translation of a complaint written in the Bengali language reads: “At approx 3 pm afternoon on 26 October 2021, a rally happened in Panisagar organised by Vishva Hindu Parishad. The rally was moving by Assam-Agartala roads to Chamtila via Roa Bazar. Some miscreant groups from the rally set fire on shops and vandalised shops. Shops were gutted in the fire. Additionally, they invaded and ruckus homes of residents living near to the market (Roa Bazar). They sexually molested women. They had planned to attack Roa Jame Mosque. In this grave situation, minority families are feeling insecurity. We would request to take necessary action under Indian Penal Code against these miscreants.”
AFP reported that Indian police forces are guarding mosques in the state. Tripura director general of police, V.S. Yadav said: “All the mosques across the state are under security coverage. Our police officers are in the field. So far, no fresh incidents occurred in the state. A few days ago, miscreants tried to create disturbance but due to police patrolling they couldn’t. Some miscreants are taking advantage of the situation to disrupt communal harmony and malign the government.”
Meanwhile, a memorandum was presented by Jamiat to the BJP Chief Minister of the state Biplab Kumar Deb and DGP Yadav which read: “No one, from Hindu or Muslim community, in Tripura supported the violence in Bangladesh. I personally protested. Even then, some unruly, communal mobs in the state are engaged in attacks on mosques, minority homes and other unpleasant activities to destroy the harmony of Hindus and Muslims.”
Pradyot Manikya, the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance’s chief, tweeted: “Any motivated acts in our state where minorities are attacked as a retaliation to what has happened in Bangladesh must be condemned! Please remember two wrongs don’t make a right… I appeal for peace amongst all religions in our state.”
