In Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu shopkeeper named Omkar and his family were reportedly attacked by a mob of Islamists for supporting the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha election. The attackers, demanding the removal of BJP posters and their replacement with those of Akhilesh Yadav, allegedly threatened to kill the family and used swords, leaving them injured. The incident has raised concerns about rising political tensions in the region. The police authorities are currently investigating the attack to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The victim described the horrific incident, “the attackers came wielding swords, stormed into our shop, and demanded to know why we hadn’t voted for Akhilesh Yadav and instead supported Modi. They threatened us, insisted to remove the poster, and subsequently attacked us.”
Hindus who have demonstrated support for the BJP in the recent elections are encountering severe backlash across three states. In Karnataka, supporters have been brutally stabbed by Islamist attackers. In Bengal, threats have forced many supporters to abandon their homes. In Uttar Pradesh, violence is escalating, with mosques issuing fatwas that urge Islamists to boycott Hindus.
BJP workers attacked by Islamists in Karnataka
On June 9, a horrifying incident occurred in the village of Boliyaru in Mangaluru, Karnataka, where two BJP workers were brutally stabbed by a group of 20-30 unidentified individuals from the Islamic community. The attack was triggered by the celebration of Prime Minister Modi’s third consecutive victory, which incited the assailants’ anger towards the BJP’s presence and influence. The victims, identified as Harish Anchan, 41, and Nandakumar, 24, were attacked during the evening festivities following the oath-taking ceremony.
According to the FIR and reports obtained by the Organiser, BJP supporters in Mudipu village and the neighboring Boliyaru were celebrating the NDA’s electoral triumph and Capt. Brijesh Chowta’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Their jubilant expressions of support for the BJP, including street rallies and slogan chanting, inadvertently provoked the local Islamic community. Tensions escalated when the celebratory procession passed by a local mosque in Boliyaru, where the slogans further antagonized the Islamist residents, leading to a violent confrontation.
Approximately 20-30 individuals from the Muslim community intercepted the BJP workers near Samadhan Resto-Bar, engaging them in heated arguments over their allegiance to the BJP and their celebration of PM Modi’s victory. Despite attempts by local residents to defuse the situation, the confrontation turned violent. The assailants viciously assaulted and stabbed Harish Anchan and Nandakumar, while another BJP worker, Krishna Kumar, also faced a brutal assault. In a display of anger, the attackers stripped the saffron scarves and clothes worn by the BJP workers, symbolizing their disdain for the party and its supporters. The injured victims were rushed to KS Hegde Hospital in Deralakatte, where one remains in critical condition while others receive medical treatment.
The Mangaluru Police have registered an FIR based on the complaint filed by Krishna Kumar and have initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. Efforts are underway to gather evidence, including CCTV footage from the area, to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
TMC violence against BJP candidates in West Bengal
The electoral process in West Bengal was marred by violence as TMC-backed goons attacked BJP candidates and their supporters in multiple incidents, highlighting the threats to democratic practices in Jhargram, West Bengal. On Saturday, during the elections in Jhargram, BJP candidate Pranat Tudu’s convoy was assaulted by TMC-backed assailants. According to BJP sources, many of Tudu’s security personnel were injured in the attack. Tudu was en route to Garbeta after receiving reports that TMC-backed goons were preventing BJP agents from entering polling booths.
Tudu described the incident: “All of a sudden, TMC goons who had blocked the road started hurling bricks at my car. When my security personnel tried to intervene, they were injured. Two CISF jawans accompanying me received head injuries and had to be hospitalized.”
The violence was not limited to Tudu alone. BJP candidates Hiranmay Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul also faced attacks. TMC goons blocked their convoys, throwing stones and bricks at them. Hiranmay Chatterjee, the BJP candidate from Ghatal, alleged that TMC goons attacked his convoy in the presence of police and central forces, who remained passive. “The police were mere spectators. They illegally stopped me from entering several areas,” Chatterjee stated.
These acts of violence are part of a broader pattern observed throughout the West Bengal elections, where TMC goons were reported to roam freely, intimidating voters and opposition candidates. Such intimidation and attacks on opposition members and their supporters are a grave threat to democracy, as they undermine the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.
Horrific violence and assaults in Uttar Pradesh
In the Shahganj area of Jaunpur district, a significant incident erupted, leading to uproar and violence following offensive remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and the BJP. On Friday, June 7, 2024, tensions flared between the Islamic and SC communities, resulting in injuries to about a dozen people. Approximately six individuals were critically injured and required hospitalization. To control the escalating tension, security forces were deployed to the affected village.
The police acted promptly, registering FIRs against both parties involved in the altercation. Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. The confrontation intensified on Saturday, June 8, 2024, when Vipin Kannaujia from Bhadi village filed a formal complaint. According to Vipin’s account, the altercation began around 9:15 PM on June 7 when he encountered Shahbaz and Karim from Bhavi Chhidwa village during his evening walk. The situation turned violent when Shahbaz and Karim attacked Vipin with iron rods and sticks, resulting in a severe head injury that caused him to lose consciousness.
The situation escalated when Aman, a relative of Vipin, raised an alarm after witnessing the assault. This prompted Mobeen, Jameel, Sagir, Farukh, and Afsar, who were lying in wait, to join the attack. They targeted other sleeping family members of the victim, hurling casteist slurs and derogatory insults. Several individuals, including Vinod, Santosh, Pawan, Suraj, Bhola, and Manju Devi, sustained serious injuries. Shahbaz, Mobeen, and Karim brandished swords, issuing threats to silence the victims, warning them against supporting the BJP. The victim’s family has demanded swift and stringent action from the authorities.
In response, the police registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST Act). The charges include rioting, armed with deadly weapons, voluntarily causing hurt, an attempt to murder, an intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace, promoting enmity, criminal intimidation, and imputations prejudicial to national integration. Additionally, a cross FIR was filed based on Shahbaz Khan’s complaint, alleging that Vipin instigated the altercation by attacking Shahbaz with a stick, which led to a retaliatory assault by Shahbaz’s supporters.
Fatwa issued in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh
In the Islamic-majority village of Kaushambi, a contentious situation has developed as the water supply to Hindu households was abruptly cut off. Based on the OpIndia reports, the Hindu community alleges that a fatwa issued from the mosque instructed Islamist families to boycott Hindu-owned shops and avoid using water from private wells. This directive has instilled fear among Hindu families, who feel targeted and marginalized by these actions.
Following the intensifying conflict, members of the Islamic community gathered at the mosque for a meeting, during which a decree was issued. The decree directed Islamic residents to refrain from conducting any business transactions with shops owned by Hindus and forbade them from supplying water to Hindu households from their private wells.
The series of incidents highlights a significant concern in Indian democracy regarding how parties like the Congress and other members of the INDI Alliance manipulate and coerce people for votes and power. Islamist and jihadist groups are reported to attack economically vulnerable Hindu and SC/ST communities during elections, threatening and even resorting to violence to influence voting outcomes. These actions underscore broader issues of electoral integrity and the safety of marginalized communities in the electoral process. The rise of radical Islamist ideology poses a significant concern for Hindu dharma and culture in present-day Bharat.
