Not nascent to India, rioting is taking a common form, and the Saturday Karauli riots of burning plunged the state into polarity.
In the aftermath of the violence where 46 people and the police detained seven others for interrogation following a stone-pelting incident during a religious procession in Karauli on Saturday, things are now calming down, and authorities in the district and making the Hindu and Muslim communities sit together and work out a peaceful solution.
What Triggered the Riots?
The riots started in Karauli, Rajasthan when tensions exploded after Hindu groups took out a bike rally to celebrate the Hindu new year through a Muslim locality in the city. Notably, the rally was taken out by right-wing organizations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Bajrang Dal, police said.
During the procession, Hindutva songs inciting violence against Muslims were played on speakers. In one such songs, the extremist singers chant “Topee vaala sar jhukaake jay shree raam bolega” (Muslims will bow to Ram and say Jai Shree Ram).
More the 40 houses belonging to the Muslim community have been reduced to ashes by the VHP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Bajrang Dal in Rajasthan.
Amid all the anger, there is a heart-warming picture of a police officer saving the life of a Muslim baby and mother from the flames of fire and he is highly applauded.
Indian Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit writes, “I salute and pay my respects to Constable Netresh Sharma who risked his life while saving a baby who along with her mother was stuck in fire. Jai ho”
I salute and pay my respects to Constable Netresh Sharma who risked his life while saving a baby who along with her mother was stuck in fire .
Jai ho #Karauliviolence . pic.twitter.com/yOIf8kUhYI— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) April 5, 2022
Around 35 people were injured in the violence, sources report. The rally not surprisingly attracted support on Twitter from high-profile people such as Neha Joshi, Vice President of BJP’s Yuva Morcha, Kapil Mishra, and Hindu far-right activist among many others.
Action and Arrests
Curfew was imposed in Rajasthan’s Karauli after communal tensions broke out in the city. Avinash Thavni of the All India Professional Congress said that Amit Shah wants to
“make Rajasthan a laboratory” for hate politics.
A curfew was imposed in Karauli after incidents of arson and vandalism on Saturday in the wake of stone-pelting at a bike rally on Nav Samvatsar (Hindu New Year), which was passing through a Muslim-dominated area. extended till April 7. On Monday, the Rajasthan police arrested 46 people and detained seven others for interrogation following a stone-pelting incident during a religious procession in Karauli on Saturday.
Hawa Singh Ghumaria, the ADG of Law and Order, has said that 36 persons have been detained in connection with the violence, and the situation is now under control.
According to the Police, as many as 35 people have been injured in the clashes.
Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot said that strict actions will be taken against people involved in the Karuali clashes.
“Those involved in inciting riots will not be spared and stringent action will be taken against them. Rule of law will be followed in the State,” the Rajasthan CM said.
Rajasthan Congress on Monday formed a three-member fact-finding committee over the Karauli incident. The Committee includes MLAs Jitendra Singh and Rafiq Khan and Karauli district in-charge Lalit Yadav. The panel will visit Karauli and submit its report to Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee.
A total of 21 two-wheelers and four-wheelers were also seized by the police.
The Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Bharatpur Range, Prasanna Kumar Khamesra said, “After stone pelting took place during the procession in Futa Kot area Main Bazaar Karauli on Saturday, the police acted promptly and arrested 46 people and detained seven people for interrogation.”
“13 accused have been arrested in connection with the incident in the case registered at Police Station Karauli and 33 people have been arrested for violating curfew order. 07 people have been detained for questioning. A total of 21 two-wheelers and four-wheelers were also seized by the police,” Khamesra added.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also held a meeting with senior officials on the law and order situation in the state.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was imposed in the Karauli district of Rajasthan from 6:30 pm on April 2 till 12 am on April 4 and the internet was shut down.
Meanwhile, in a fresh development, the curfew in Karauli was extended till April 7 on Monday considering the law and order situation.
The district administration also created arrangements for class 10 and 12 examinations, helping students to reach their exam centers after showing their admit cards, officials said, two days after communal clashes in the town.
“As the present circumstances are not normal for the law and order situation. In such a situation, curfew is extended till April 7 at midnight,” an order issued by Karauli District Collector Rajendra Shekhawat said.
“Relaxation in curfew was given for two hours on Monday for purchase of essential items. Central and Rajasthan government offices and courts remained open and employees could reach their offices after showing ID cards,” Shekhawat said.
No untoward incident has been reported, but mobile internet services remain suspended in Karauli, he said.
There are efforts now from the administrative forces in the region to make the Hindus and Muslims work together for peace.
Constable Netresh Sharma risking his life to save the Muslim baby along with her mother shows that there is still humanity and hope; however, if political forces such as VHP, RSS, and BD are involved, it dilutes the efforts at unity of the communities.