Amid the turmoil of the Bangladesh unrest, a mob belonging to Hindu Raksha Dal, a Hindu right wing organization, barged into the slum area. As reported by the Maktoob, the mob went to the slum with hockey sticks. The mob reportedly went to almost every tent and enquired about the religious identities of the residents. Out of 200 huts, only four muslim huts were attacked.
“They were so angry, went to everyone’s house, and asked if they were Muslims or Hindus,” said an eyewitness, requesting anonymity. “Hindus were spared, and Muslims were beaten brutally,” the residents said and the Maktoob reported.
What happened on August 9?
In a purported video that went viral on social media, a man could be seen vandalizing tents, beating people and setting ablaze the belongings of the people, reportedly the targeted Muslim people.The incident took place in Ghaziabad’s Galdhar.
The mob could be heard using Islamophobic chats and abusing the Muslim people they were deliberately attacking. According to the reports from the Maktoob Media, children, women and disabled and the elderly were attacked. ‘They did not spare anyone. They beat all of the 16 Muslim families.” the witness said and the Maktoob reported. “We tried to intervene, but they charged us with lathis and anger,” they added.
The Hindu neighbors recalled the mob threatening them: “You are helping Muslims as a Hindu. You should have joined us and beaten them. Stay away, or we will beat you too.”
How did the targeted Muslim react?
The next day, as per the witnesses, Muslim victims fled the place. The neighbors said that the Muslims were accused of being Bangladeshi; however, they were from Uttar Pradesh.
The Ghaziabad police, too, said that the people attacked in the slum were not Bangladeshis but Indians. “During the investigation, it was found that Bangladeshis were not residing in the slum. The residents are from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh; hence, a case has been registered under relevant sections at the local police station against those who vandalized and set fire to the slum,” the police said in their statement.
The incident took place after former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina fled on August 5 and many reporters reported the atrocities faced by Hindus and Bangladesh. Earlier in August,Pinky Chaudhary, from a right-wing organization, released a controversial video on social media.In it, he gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Modi and others to stop the atrocities in the ongoing situation in Bangladesh.As tensions rise in Bangladesh, many right-wingers are spreading fake news on social media.
