A fact-finding report on the September 4 anti-Muslim violence in Telangana’s Jainoor village has criticized the state government for its alleged inaction and potential complicity in the lead-up to the attacks. Prepared by a coalition of social and civil rights activists, the report highlights rising tensions between the Muslim and Adivasi communities, reportedly exacerbated by political influences and a lack of intervention by law enforcement agencies.
11 houses, 95 shops, 4 Masjid and 42 Vehicles Belonging to Muslims Set Ablaze
According to the report, a mob of around 5,000 people from the Vaddara, Vanjara, and Tribal communities in Jainoor and nearby villages launched an attack, setting ablaze 11 houses, 95 shops, and four mosques. Additionally, 42 vehicles belonging to the Muslim community in Jainoor village, Komuram Bheem Asifabad district, were torched.
The report released last week claims that both the BJP and BRS played a role in fueling tensions that led to the attacks on the Muslim community. After an alleged assault on an Adivasi woman on August 31, the parties were accused of using the incident to stoke hostility against Muslims.
“Many BRS leaders are working closely with the BJP and affiliated organizations in Adilabad and Asifabad districts, as the Muslim community supported the Congress in the last election. BRS leaders are targeting and taking revenge on Muslims for this reason.”
The report states that “the government has made no serious efforts to conduct a free and fair investigation into the situation, nor have any attempts been made to promote reconciliation between the two communities.” It links this inaction to the suffering of ordinary citizens, asserting that “the politics of revenge among various political parties is causing significant hardship for the common people.”
The team reported that on May 12, during the Parliamentary General Election 2024, a minor clash occurred between the Vaddara and Muslim communities about a kilometer from Jainoor. The altercation began when a Muslim boy was struck by a bike belonging to a member of the Vaddara community, leading to a verbal exchange. In retaliation, a group of 5-6 Vaddara individuals assaulted the already injured Muslim boy. Shortly after, 7-8 Muslim boys confronted the Vaddara men. Eventually, other members of the Muslim community intervened, diffusing the situation and resolving the matter.
As a result of the severe assault, the man fell unconscious, and rumors of his death quickly spread. Within minutes, around 200 Muslim youths gathered, but other Muslim men intervened to prevent any escalation of violence.
Later, a member of the Gond community, who works with the Vanjara community (which aligns with the BJP), was forced to drink alcohol and then assaulted. The Vanjara community then claimed that Muslims had attacked an Adivasi man. Without a thorough investigation into these claims, the police arrested several Muslim individuals.
Although the clash involved the Vaddara and Muslim communities, the complaint was filed by a member of the Madiga community. An FIR (crime No. 38/2024) was registered against 76 Muslim youths by the Jainoor Police Station, based on a complaint from Mahesh Jillepalli, a 28-year-old from the Madiga community. The police invoked various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the SC/ST (POA) Act, resulting in the remand of some individuals.
The Muslim youths sought anticipatory bail for 22 individuals from the Hon’ble High Court of Telangana through Criminal Petitions No. 7559/2024 and 9026/2024. Hon’ble Justice Juvvadi Sridevi granted bail to all petitioners, stating, “It is a politically motivated case, and since there are no specific allegations against the petitioners, this Court believes that anticipatory bail can be granted.”
The report noted that police suspended internet services in Jainoor and 10-12 surrounding villages from September 4, 2024, to the present, in violation of a Supreme Court order regarding internet shutdowns.
It emphasized that “preventing a communal riot is far more important than containing it” and recommended that the District Administration regularly assess the communal situation in the district to ensure stability.
