August 16th 2023.
A shocking incident of mob violence was reported on the Independence Day in Panipat, Haryana. According to reports, goons belonging to Hindutva organisations Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) created a ruckus in front of Samalkha Masjid. In a video that has been making rounds on social media, a group of men on bikes can be seen carrying saffron flags and the tricolour, and raising religious slogans.
The incident was reported to have occurred around noon on August 15, when about 250 members of VHP and Bajrang Dal waved saffron flags and Bajrang Dal, and also carried the tricolour. It is alleged that they also attempted to push open the gates of the mosque. Seven people even managed to enter the mosque and climb on to the roof, reportedly wearing shoes and slippers.
At the time of the incident, Imam Sahib Mohammad Harun was inside the mosque with his family and four other people. Dilshad, a member of the Jama Masjid Samalkha Committee, said that they had written to Samalkha DSP Narendra Kadyan on August 14 seeking security. Acting upon this request, the police had deployed two home guards on Tuesday morning.
Unfortunately, the incident happened at a time when Gurgaon and Haryana were still grappling with the aftermath of deadly Nuh violence. Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, were killed in the clashes that had started in Nuh district after a religious procession by the VHP was attacked. It is imperative that the government immediately takes action to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
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