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Nuh violence: How the media crafts a narrative to whitewash violence unleashed by Islamists and blame Hindus instead

Nupur J Sharma
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Nuh violence: How the media crafts a narrative to whitewash violence unleashed by Islamists and blame Hindus instead

On 31st July, almost 4000 Hindus participated in a Jalabhishek Yatra by Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The religious procession came under attack by an Islamist mob in Nuh, Haryana. While Hindus were trapped in a hostage-like situation, news emerged that two home guards have been killed in the violence unleashed by Islamists during the Jalabhishek Yatra on a Shravan Somvar, the auspicious Monday of the Sravan month.

The police told OpIndia that one of the home guards was killed in the stone pelting by Islamists while the other was shot dead when the violence by Islamists was unleashed.

Speaking to OpIndia, VHP also informed that several temples had come under attack in the Nuh area of Mewat after the Islamists unleashed premeditated violence against Hindus.

One video which went viral on social media was a Hindu talking about how a Temple had come under attack and how the Islamists had burnt alive 3 Hindus. It was a live video that was uploaded on Instagram.

There were several other videos and pictures that emerged which showed the extent of the violence unleashed by Islamists. VHP has claimed that almost 30 temples came under attack in Nuh, however, the police have not confirmed the exact number of temples that were attacked.

VHP also said that the violence was planned and that the stones and bricks had been collected by the Islamists at least 2 days in advance. OpIndia was told that they were using Bajrang Dal activist ‘Monu Manesar’ as an excuse to spread fake news and incite violence. Interestingly, almost on cue, several Islamists on Twitter started sharing an old video of Monu Manesar alias Mohit Yadav, claiming that he was present at the Shobha Yatra and therefore, the violence erupted. This, however, turned out to be false.

OpIndia did a detailed fact-check confirming that the video was from last year and that Monu Manesar was not present at the religious procession.

Essentially, the Islamists seem to have meticulously planned to unleash violence against a Hindu religious procession that takes place every year. The police have confirmed that the procession had the required permission from the police. After unleashing planned violence against thousands of Hindus, they started spreading fake news on Twitter claiming that the violence was unleashed because of the presence of Monu Manesar. This turned out to be fake since Manesar was not present at the procession at all.

The media extended all the help to the Islamists to blame the victims after the violence

The media, on its part, ensured that they extend help to the Islamists to blame the victims after unleashing violence against devotees.

Maktoob media, the Islamist portal which had tried to shield Islamists during the JNU violence after anti-CAA protests and the Delhi anti-Hindu riots, peddling fake news regularly, published two reports on the issue that deserve a harder look.

Their first report on the issue was headlined, “Haryana: 1 killed, 5 injured as clashes breakout during VHP rally in Nuh”.

The headline itself hinted that the rally turned violent, essentially insinuating that it was the Hindus who were a part of the religious procession turned violent. Note how in the headline they fail to even acknowledge that it was a religious procession.

The first part of their report also fails to identify the “rally” as a religious procession. It further repeats the trope that the rally itself turned violent, not that it was attacked from the outside, insinuating that it was the Hindus who unleashed violence and not the Islamists – this, when 2500-4000 Hindus were stuck in a hostage-like situation for hours in a temple, rescued only on Tuesday morning.

In the report, they also inserted the Monu Manesar angle, further claiming that the Muslims were opposing Manesar being a part of the procession because it would “disturb harmony”.

They write, “The violence broke out around Monday noon when around half-a-dozen vehicles carrying devotees reached Nuh Chowk leading to rumors that Monu Manesar was inside one of the vehicles”.

While Maktoob acknowledges that it was a “rumour”, it failed to include in their report that the rumour was also spread by Islamists themselves and then, this rumour was used to justify the violence.

Manesar was not a part of the procession. But even if we assume for a moment that he was, it is interesting that Islamists used that as an excuse to unleash mass-level, planned violence against Hindus, attack on Temples and holding almost 4000 devotees hostage. They used this to even justify the murder of 2 home guards and several Hindus who were injured.

Here are some images of Hindus who were seriously injured during the violence which was unleashed by Islamists.

Injured person in Nuh violence
Injured person in Nuh violence

Here is a video of an injured Hindu after the mob violence by Islamists.

This is the condition of Hindus due to a mere rumour that one individual would be present at a religious procession that was attended by thousands. And the rumour is being used to paint the Muslims as the victims and whitewash the unbridled violence which was unleashed against Hindus on a religious procession and the attack on temples.

Yogendra Yadav, who was also involved in the planning stages of the Delhi anti-Hindu riots “reacted” to the violence and blamed the Hindus instead. This quote was used by Maktoob media to further shield the Muslim mob.

Maktoob Media concluded their article with Yogendra Yadav saying that the Shobha Yatra was “calculated to create communal violence”. He does not really mention who was creating the violence but from his statement, it is clear that he hints that it was the Hindus who were responsible for the violence by Muslims because they dared to enter the Mewat area in the first place. Further, he also blames the police for “allowing” the religious procession to enter Mewat. Therefore, it is evident that for Islamist media and elements like Yogendra Yadav, the Muslims are justified in unleashing violence against thousands of Hindu devotees and attacking several Hindu temples because they dared to enter a Muslim-populated area, which is famously called a “mini-Pakistan”.

In essence, Monu Manesar was merely an excuse to unleash violence. The real problem was that thousands of Hindus had dared to enter a “Muslim area”, as the Islamists call it, and therefore, their mere existence was a trigger that justifies the Muslim mob going on a rampage against Hindu devotees and their religious places.

After the initial report placed the blame on Hindus for violence that was clearly planned, initiated, and executed by a Muslim mob, Maktoob media filed another report where they further demonized Hindus, almost solidifying their narrative that it was the Hindus who initiated violence. So far, they had blamed Hindus for the violence committed by Islamists. With the second report, they craftily tried to shift the narrative and blame the Hindus for the entire thing.

Their second report was headlined, “Haryana violence: Mosque set ablaze in Gurugram; Imam shot dead by Hindutva mob”.

In the first paragraph of the report, Maktoob writes, “As the violence broke out during a procession organized by the right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Haryana’s Nuh district on Monday, it quickly escalated to other parts of the state, including Gurugram, where a Hindutva mob set a mosque on fire and fired gunshots”.

First and foremost, they brand the mob Hindutva while they failed to identify who started the violence in Nuh. Then, even in their first paragraph, they fail to mention that the violence was started by the Muslims and give the impression that the attack on the mosque is also a part of the same violence that was done by the Hindus in Nuh, while it was the Muslims who started the violence.

It is pertinent to note that the under-construction building, which is a disputed structure and the case is in court, was set ablaze in Gurgaon after the violence spread to Sohna Chown on the 31st of July. Investigation is underway and the police have not ascertained details. There are some Hindus and Muslims who have been detained by the police.

While the first report failed to mention Temples being under attack, the second report mentioned a mosque. While the first report failed to identify Islamists and even justified the violence by a Muslim mob, the second report targeted Hindus without giving context to the violence being initiated by the Muslim mob in Nuh.

It is evident that the aim of Islamist and Leftist media is to create confusion and shield the Islamists who attacked thousands of Hindus in Nuh. Maktoob media is just one of the foot soldiers shielding the mob and normalizing violence against Hindus.

OpIndia Investigation: How Islamists used social media to plan the violence 2 days before Nuh attack and mobilised a mob against Hindu religious procession

OpIndia Staff
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OpIndia Investigation: How Islamists used social media to plan the violence 2 days before Nuh attack and mobilised a mob against Hindu religious procession

On 31st July, an Islamist mob attacked over 4,000 Hindus in Nuh, Haryana. Hindus were on Jalabhishek Yatra on Shravan Somvar. The way the attack happened, there were signs that the events that ensued were planned well in advance. Several social media users also shared screenshots of posts from 29th July to the morning of 31st July, pointing towards possible planning behind the attacks.

During the investigation, OpIndia came across several posts on Twitter and Facebook that showed Islamists were instigating their followers to attack Jalabhishek Yatra. They claimed Gau Rakshak Monu Manesar was scheduled to join the procession. In a previous report, we showed how Islamists shared an old video of Monu Manesar claiming it was recent and that he was the reason behind the violence against Hindus.

OpIndia investigation into Islamists’ social media posts instigating violence

We came across a Facebook user Rahees Khan Rangaliya who not only published a video of Manesar on 30th July saying he [Manesar] was not afraid of coming to Mewat but also tracked the procession.

Source: Facebook

Later, Rahees published a post informing that Nuh was not far away.

Source: Facebook

In a video shared by one Shahid on Facebook, the moments when the Yatra was attacked in Mewat were shown. In the background, Shahid kept using abusive language. Here is the link to the post.

Another Facebook user Arbaaz Khan Dahngai shared Manesar’s video and said, “Brothers, he is not afraid at all. Why is he coming when he knows [people will] peel him like an onion? Won’t you welcome him, Mewati brothers, or you forgot that you were waiting for him…”

Source: Facebook

In another post, Arbaaz claim Manesar said they would kill people in Mewat. However, there was no such statement in the video he shared.

Source: Facebook

Another Facebook user AJ Zubaid published a cryptic message saying, “If death is written in your fate, prepare to die during a battle. It is not good to die silently. Say loudly Nara-e-Takbeer Allahuakbar”. In the next post four hours later, he wrote, “Ilaka-e-Mewat starts from here”.

Source: Facebook

A Facebook user Ratti Pahat shared multiple videos against Manesar instigating his followers.

Source: Facebook

A Facebook user Aaysha Nawaj urged people to be mindful and maintain silence. At first glance, it looked like a sensible post but in reality, she had edited the post. Earlier, the post read, “The hatred gang has left Faridabad for Mewat”. She edited it and changed it to “The gang whose aim is to end brotherhood in the country has left Faridabad for Mewat”. Eventually, after 4-5 edits in 24 hours, she finalised the text urging people to maintain peace.

Source: Facebook

The Pamphlet shared a screen capture of a deleted video post by Mohd Sabir Khan. In the post, he wrote, “Monu Sonu come tomorrow; we are ready for your welcome in Mewat. You will be peeled like an onion in a way you will never be able to recover. Inshallah.” In the video, gas cylinders lined up on the road showing the preparations Islamists have made to attack the Yatra.

Twitter user Anshul Saxena shared a screenshot of a video where Islamists were pelting stones from the rooftop. It is evident they had gathered stones as a part pre-planned conspiracy to attack the Yatra.

Saxena shared another post by Juned Jsr Khan, who urged truck drivers from Mewat to reach on 31st July.

In a post shared by a Facebook user Juned Singer Manisha, he reminded his followers of taking revenge from Manesar.

Source: Facebook

There were over 5,000 comments on this post. Some of the comments have been added below.

Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook

Islamists used social media not only to instigate violence against Hindu processions but also to lay an elaborate groundwork in the form of holding Monu Manesar responsible for the violence that followed.

Mewat Riots: Sweets seller Shakti Saini murdered in Nuh, mob dragged him from his shop and threw his body at the square: Details

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Mewat Riots: Sweets seller Shakti Saini murdered in Nuh, mob dragged him from his shop and threw his body at the square: Details

Violence broke out in Haryana’s Nuh on Monday, 31st July 2023, during the Jalabhishek Yatra taken out by Hindu organisations. A total of 5 people, including 2 Home Guard personnel, were killed in this violence. Section 144 has been imposed in the area.

According to the latest information, on August 1, 2023, 3 bodies have been recovered from the Nagina area of Haryana. Two of the bodies have not been identified. The third body is said to be of a 34-year-old man named Shakti Saini. Shakti Saini had a sweets shop in Nagina.

Rituraj, an office-bearer of the Haryana Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), told OpIndia that the name of the deceased Shakti Saini’s father is Sompal. He was a resident of a Muslim-dominated Bhadas village. Shakti Saini used to feed his family by running a sweets shop.

Rituraj further told us that it is suspected that Shakti Saini was present at his shop during the attack. He was abducted from the shop and taken elsewhere and later killed and then the dead body was dumped at the same Badkali square around which his shop was located.

It was also reported that the village of Bhadas, where Shakti Saini was a resident, is Muslim-dominated. At the same time, Rituraj described the entire Nagina as part of Mewat and described it as Muslim-dominated. Satya Bhardwaj, another resident of Gurugram, described the situation in neighbouring Nuh as worrisome and appealed that more resources and powers should be given to the police.

OpIndia called the SHO of Nagina to confirm the matter. He said, “I’ll tell you. A case has been registered in this regard.” After this, he disconnected the phone, saying that he was very busy.

‘Jihadis pelted stones, indulged in riots, arson, and rained bullets on Lord Shiv pilgrims’: Bajrang Dal calls for a protest against Nuh violence

OpIndia Staff
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‘Jihadis pelted stones, indulged in riots, arson, and rained bullets on Lord Shiv pilgrims’: Bajrang Dal calls for a protest against Nuh violence

A day after violence swept the restive region of Nuh in Haryana’s Mewat region, where Islamists went on a rampage against devotees of Lord Shiva participating in Hindu processions, the Bajrang Dal stated that the annual rally organised by them witnessed stone-pelting, violence, vandalism and arson by Islamic jihadis.

In protest against the violence, Bajrang Dal has called for a massive demonstration on August 2 to protest against Islamic Jihadis and terrorism underway at the district level.

“Religious Brajmandal Yatra” organized annually by Bajrang Dal, Islamic Jihadis pelted heavy stones, violence, arson and direct bullets from the hills on the pilgrims on the ancient “Religious Yatra” of Nallahad Shiv Temple, the centre of faith and reverence of Hindus in Nuh, Mewat. In which hundreds of vehicles were damaged and burnt to ashes,” said a statement shared by Bajrang Dal on Twitter.

“Two Home Guard jawans have died and pilgrims and Bajrang Dal workers have been injured. Against this, on August 2, 2023, Bajrang Dal will hold a massive demonstration against Islamic Jihad, and terrorism at the district level,” the statement further added.

Nuh violence: How Islamist attack against participants of Hindu procession triggered violence and riots in Mewat

Tensions escalated in Haryana’s Mewat region following an incident on Monday where stones were thrown at the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Religious Mewat Yatra. According to reports, individuals from a minority community attacked one of the vehicles in the religious procession. In response, the police intervened, using teargas shells to disperse the crowds and calling for reinforcements from neighbouring areas as both sides engaged in stone-throwing. 

Vehicles were burnt and stones pelted at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Jalabhishek Yatra as clashes erupted between two communities in the Muslim-majority region of Mewat in Haryana.

The VHP members also highlighted that the mob had targeted the procession in an organised manner as a result of this many devotees had turned hostage finding shelter to protect themselves from stone pelting and gunshots. According to media reports, around 2,500 people had taken shelter in a temple near Gurugram.

It was reported earlier that several devotees were stuck at various locations including Nuh temples, chowk, and near the police station after the mob raising slogans of “Allahu Akbar” attacked the Yatra in a planned attack. Following the violence, VHP president Alok Kumar had urged the police and administration to quickly rescue the devotees stressing that the yatra is an annual affair and this year it was targeted in a planned and organised manner.

During the violence, stones were pelted and several cars were set on fire. Police, which initially tried to disperse the mob using teargas shells and by firing shots in the air, had to call in reinforcements. ADGP (Law and Order) Mamta Singh later went with additional forces to try to rescue the people who took shelter at Nalhar temple in Nuh. The police later informed OpIndia that all the Hindus who were trapped in the temple had been rescued and escorted home.

Vegan food influencer, who only ate raw food, dies of starvation at the age of 39

OpIndia Staff
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Vegan food influencer, who only ate raw food, dies of starvation at the age of 39

Vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, a Russian online influencer who went by the name of Zhanna D’Art on social media, has died of starvation after years of following an entirely raw vegan diet. Zhanna was 39 years of age.

The Russian national, who frequently promoted raw foods on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, had millions of viewers following her. She reportedly died on July 21 after finally seeking medical treatment during a tour of Southeast Asia.

A friend of Zhanna told Newsflash, “A few months ago, in Sri Lanka, she already looked exhausted, with swollen legs oozing lymph. They sent her home to seek treatment. However, she ran away again. When I saw her in Phuket, I was horrified.”

The friend added, “I lived one floor above her and every day I feared finding her lifeless body in the morning. I convinced her to seek treatment, but she didn’t make it.”

Zhanna frequently promoted raw foods on social media and had followed a completely raw vegan diet for many years. She lived on eating only fruits, sunflower seed sprouts, fruit smoothies and juices.

She used social media to promote her vegan food diet to others and said, “I eat simple food, although I have a lot of experience as a raw food chef. I love creating my own recipes and inspiring people to eat healthier.”

Apparently Zhanna’s switch to vegan lifestyle started when she saw her peers looking older than their age due to their eating choices.

Samsonova’s mother attributed her daughter’s passing to “cholera-like infection.” However, her official cause of death has not been declared.

Meanwhile, many of her followers have refused to believe that the vegan diet caused her death and have instead blamed the “chemicals” in the fruits she ate for her death.

Sidhu Moosewala murder case: Accused Sachin Thapan from Bishnoi gang extradited to India from Azerbaijan

OpIndia Staff
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Sidhu Moosewala murder case: Accused Sachin Thapan from Bishnoi gang extradited to India from Azerbaijan

Sachin Bishnoi, also known as Sachin Taapan, one of the accused in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, has been extradited to India from Azerbaijan, as per reports.

A special cell of Delhi Police sought Sachin Thapan’s extradition. Special CP HGS Dhaliwal stated to media that Sachin Bishnoi aka Sachin Thapan, one of the accused in the murder of the popular Punjabi singer, has been extradited from Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku.

Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead in Mansa on May 29, 2022. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang is accused of carrying out the murder. Bishnoi is lodged in jail.

Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster, is also accused of involvement in the murder.

As per reports, Sachin Thapan is a nephew of Lawrence Bishnoi. He had hatched the conspiracy to kill Mossewala along with gangster Goldy Brar. Sachin and another accused named Anmol Bishnoi had hired the shooters and had arranged arms and ammunition for the murder.

Shortly after the murder of Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, Sachin Thapan reportedly fled to Dubai on a fake passport. He is also wanted by Dubai law enforcement for extortion-related charges.

Mansa Police have stated that they will seek Sachin’s remand after his extradition. Mansa SSP Dr. Nanak Singh has stated that they have been working in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Maharashtra: Girder launching machine collapses in Thane, death toll rises to 17, more feared trapped

ANI
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Maharashtra: Girder launching machine collapses in Thane, death toll rises to 17, more feared trapped

The death toll in the mishap where a girder launching machine collapsed in Maharashtra’s Thane rose to 17 after one more body was pulled out from the accident site on Tuesday morning, officials said.

A search and rescue operation is continuing to rescue more people feared trapped under the debris after the crane collapsed on a bridge slab during construction of the third phase of the Samruddhi Expressway near Shahpur in Thane district. According to officials, the accident took place around 1:30 am Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered an investigation into the “unfortunate” incident.

Shinde announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who were killed.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Shinde said, “Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia will be given to the next of kin of the deceased. It is an unfortunate incident. A company based in Switzerland was working here. Instructions have been given for its thorough investigation. The NDRF team has reached the spot and has given instructions for rescue work. Our concerned department officials and minister are present at the spot.”

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

“Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected,” the prime minister said on Twitter.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condoled the loss of lives.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Fadnavis wrote in Hindi (roughly translated), “In Shahapur taluka some labourers died in an accident during the construction of a bridge on Samriddhi highway which is very sad and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him. We share the grief of their families. Three workers were injured in this incident. They are undergoing treatment in hospital. I pray to God for their speedy recovery. I have ordered an inquiry into the incident”.
Meanwhile an NDRF official said, “One more dead body has been recovered. Three injured people are being treated, as per the administration, at Shivaji Hospital in Kalva, Thane.”

Speaking to ANI, Sarang Kurve, National Disaster Response Force, Assistant Commandant, said, “We received the information about the incident at around 1:30 am. Our first team started the rescue operation around 5:30 am. Search and rescue operation is still underway”.

The official further said that sniffer dogs have also been brought in to look for survivors buried under the rubble of the collapsed structure.

According to officials, the exact number of people who might still be trapped under the debris is not clear.

“Six more people are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure,” the NDRF had said in an earlier statement.
Officials said that two NDRF teams are engaged in a search and rescue operation.

Officials said that the machine was being used in the construction of Phase III of the Samruddhi Express Highway late at night.

Initial reports confirmed the death of 14 workers while three others were injured. According to eyewitnesses, the incident took place around 11:00 pm on Monday.

“We were working on the other side when the structure collapsed. Around 30 people were working there at the time when the incident took place,” an eyewitness said while speaking to ANI.

“Many of them were trapped under the structure with injuries on their legs, hands and head,” he said. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Nuh violence: Hindus trapped in temple amid stone pelting by Islamists rescued and escorted home, confirms police

OpIndia Staff
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Nuh violence: Hindus trapped in temple amid stone pelting by Islamists rescued and escorted home, confirms police

In an update to the Nuh violence that erupted yesterday after the stones were pelted at the Jalabhishek Yatra, in the Muslim-majority region of Nuh, Haryana, the Police has informed to OpIndia that all the Hindus who were trapped in the temple have been rescued and that they have been escorted home.

The Police also informed that FIRs are being registered in the matter and that strict action against the stone pelters will be taken. Tensions erupted in several parts of Haryana after stones were pelted at the Jalabhishek Yatra in the Muslim-majority region of Nuh, Mewat.

A mob charging in a hostile way at the yatrees could be heard raising “Allahu Akbar” and indulging in riotous activities, the video of which went viral over social media platforms. Two home guards were killed and about a dozen policemen have been reported injured as a mob in Haryana’s Nuh district on July 31, tried to stop the Hindu religious procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire.

The Police further informed to OpIndia on August 1 that the two home guards who got killed were trapped after the Islamist mob went on a rampage. “Initial investigation reveals that one home guard was shot and the other died in stone pelting by the violent Islamist mob,” the Police was quoted as saying.

It was reported earlier that several devotees were stuck at various locations including Nuh temples, chowk, and near the police station after the mob raising slogans of “Allahu Akbar” attacked the Yatra in a planned attack. Following the violence, VHP president Alok Kumar had urged the police and administration to quickly rescue the devotees stressing that the yatra is an annual affair and this year it was targeted in a planned and organised manner.

The VHP members also highlighted that the mob had targeted the procession in an organised manner as a result of this many devotees had turned hostage finding shelter to protect themselves from stone pelting and gunshots. According to media reports, around 2500 people had taken shelter in a temple near Gurugram.

However, the Nuh Police informed to OpIndia that all the Hindus who were trapped in the temple have been rescued and that they have been escorted home.

‘Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra’, a religious procession that was started off by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar and began from Gurugram’s Civil Lines yesterday, was reportedly stopped by a group of men at Khedla Mod in Nuh.

Prohibitory orders against public gatherings have been enforced in the districts of Nuh and Gurugram as unrest has spread throughout the state. Additionally, until Wednesday, mobile internet services have also been suspended in Nuh and Faridabad.

Also, the Union government has deployed 20 companies (about 2000 personnel) of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to bring the law and order situation under control in the state. The contingent includes 4 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 2 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), 2 companies of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).

Islamists use old video of Monu Manesar to justify their violence in Nuh, claim he was present at the VHP religious procession: Here is the truth

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists use old video of Monu Manesar to justify their violence in Nuh, claim he was present at the VHP religious procession: Here is the truth

On 31st July, almost 4000 Hindus participated in a religious procession by Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The religious procession came under attack by an Islamist mob in Nuh, Haryana. While Hindus were trapped in a hostage-like situation, Islamists used an old video of Gau Rakshak and Bajrang Dal activist Monu Manesar to claim he was present at the Jalabhishek Yatra on Shravan Somvar and the violence took place because of him.

Facebook user Sahid Demroat shared the video on 31st July and used hashtags that Monu Manesar and his team often use.

Source: Facebook

In a now-deleted tweet, Harun Khan wrote, “Monu Manesar, accused in the murder of Junaid and Nasir, is present in Mewat Yatra today on 31st July 2023.” He tagged Rajasthan and Haryana police to take action. Harun had shared a screenshot of a Facebook post by one Nasir Zakhopuria from Mewat. The Facebook post has also been deleted.

Source: Twitter

Twitter user x_aliways claimed Monu was present at the rally and called a religious procession an “anti-Muslim” rally. He shared a screenshot from the old video.

Source: Twitter

Twitter user BinT_E_Hawa___ shared a screenshot from the old video and called Manesar a terrorist.

Source: Twitter

Twitter user The Muslim also claimed Manesar was present at the rally and accused him of causing riots.

Source: Twitter

Facebook user The Justaaj Live, which appears to be a news page, claimed Monu Manesar went to Mewat to instigate violence.

Source: Facebook

As VHP already categorically denied that Monu Manesar was present at the procession, OpIndia investigated the video. We found the video shared by one of Monu Manesar’s colleagues and a Bajrang Dal activist Srikant from May 2023.

Source: Facebook

Furthermore, we were informed that the video was from last year. In another post from Shrikant posted on 2nd October 2022, we noticed that the persons in the video were wearing the same clothes. The photographs were from an event Bajrang Dal activists organised to celebrate Manesar’s appointment as Gau Raksha chief.

Source: Facebook

As it was evident that the video was from October last year, upon further digging, we found the video published on October 2, 2022, on Instagram.

Source: Instagram

Verdict: Islamists used an old video of Monu Manesar to justify anti-Hindu riots in Mewat. As per VHP’s statement to OpIndia, Manesar did not attend the rally.

Anti-Hindu riots in Nuh

On 31st July, Islamists unleashed violence in the Nuh district of Haryana. Tensions gripped several parts of Haryana when stones were pelted at the Jalabhishek Shobha yatra in the Muslim-majority region of Mewat. The procession was taken out to mark the auspicious occasion of Shravan Somwar.

In several videos of the clashes, a mob charging in a hostile way at the yatris could be heard raising “Allahu Akbar” and indulging in riotous activities. Two home guards were killed and about a dozen policemen injured as a mob in Haryana’s Nuh district tried to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, pelting stones and setting cars on fire, police said. The state government suspended the Internet to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours.

Following the incident, the Union government deployed 20 companies (about 2000 personnel) of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to bring the law and order situation under control upon the Haryana government’s request. The additional force will remain at Nuh till 6th August 2023. The contingent includes four companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), two companies of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).

Pakistan: ISIS claims responsibility for suicide bomb blast during election rally in Bajaur, which killed 54 people

ANI
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Pakistan: ISIS claims responsibility for suicide bomb blast during election rally in Bajaur, which killed 54 people

The Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for the Bajaur suicide blast in Pakistan that killed 54 people, including 23 children, according to Al Jazeera.

The bombing targeted an election rally in Pakistan’s border district of Bajaur on Sunday in which nearly 200 people were wounded. “A suicide attacker from the Islamic State [ISIL] … detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd” in the town of Khar, the armed group’s news arm Amaq said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera.

A bomber detonated an explosives-packed vest near the platform as some 400 members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party, a significant government coalition partner led by hardline politician Fazlur Rehman, awaited the start of the speeches.

The gathering was hosted near a market beneath a huge tent, but Rehman chose not to go. Rehman has previously escaped at least two explosions that occurred at political rallies in 2011 and 2014, Al Jazeera reported. Police took testimony from some of the injured on Monday at a hospital in Khar, the biggest town in Bajaur. The provincial minister of information, Feroz Jamal, stated that police were “investigating this attack in all aspects.”

A First Information Report on the blast was filed with the Counter Terrorism Department on Monday as the initial investigation, according to the police, indicated that the terrorist group ISIS was responsible for the suicide attack.

The suicide bomber detonated explosives when JUI-F members and supporters gathered in the town of Khar, near the border with Afghanistan. The convention started at 2 pm, and the explosion happened at 4:10 pm, according to the official. The FIR has been filed by the KP CTD against unidentified persons on suspicion of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and other offences, as per Geo News.

According to Shokat Abbas, additional inspector general for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), nearly 10–12 kg of explosives were used in the blast.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F, asked that Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, and Azam Khan, the interim chief minister of KP, look into the incident, Geo News reported.

The United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia have condemned the terror attack and have sent their condolences to the impacted families. Since last year, when a truce between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad collapsed, attacks by extremists have increased in Pakistan. More than 100 people were killed earlier this year in a Peshawar mosque blast, reported Geo News.

According to a recent UN Security Council report, the TTP may be looking to unite with Al Qaeda to form a single entity that would house all militant organisations active in South Asia. Although cross-border militancy persists, Pakistan has long held Afghanistan responsible for failing to uphold its promise to ensure that its soil was not utilised for terrorism in Islamabad.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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