In 1976, the Hindu community in Sambhal were targeted after false rumours of their involvement in the murder of a Muslim cleric killed by one his coreligionist.
When the riots broke out, Banwari Lal urged several Hindu shopkeepers to hide at his brother-in-law Murari Lal’s house. However, Muslim traders tipped off the rioters. A mob of Islamist rioters then broke the gates of Murari Lal’s house using a tractor and brutally killed 24 Hindus.
Christian conversions and Muslim infiltration endanger Jharkhand’s tribal identity. BJP focuses on Sarna Code and anti-infiltration laws, but deeper political and societal action is essential.
Recalling the anger that arose from the decision of the Bihar government, Professor Sharda Sinha mentions, "It is impossible to imagine what people would have done if they had met Lalu Yadav at that time. People were saying that this is a 'parachhut' (despicable) government. It has to pay the price."
The BJP has also suggested that Manesar could be used for appeasement politics by the Gehlot government. Only recently the Rajasthan DGP had stated that they are yet to find any evidence of Manesar's direct involvement in the murder case.
Bihar Police says that the mastermind of the violence is the coordinator of Bajrang Dal. Questioning this claim, VHP Kameshwar Chaupal says that he had apprehensions that Hindus would be implicated, considering the government had told its agenda by blaming Hindu organizations even before investigation.