In a city where the air is charged with anticipation for the upcoming inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, tensions escalated as a mosque at the Delhi Gate intersection became the target of vandalism. Reports reveal that during celebrations involving the inscription of Hindutva slogans, a mosque wall was inadvertently marked with the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ triggering heightened tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the area.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, quickly escalated into a face-off between the two religious communities. Allegedly carried out by BJP workers engaged in the celebration, the act prompted swift police intervention to prevent a potential clash. Law enforcement initiated a dialogue involving representatives from both communities, successfully brokering a compromise. The controversial slogan on the mosque wall was promptly erased, and police presence was reinforced to maintain order and prevent further incidents.
A video capturing a BJP worker inscribing the slogan on the mosque wall circulated on social media, intensifying the already sensitive situation. Another separate incident involved the installation of an effigy of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi marked with a religious slogan.
अलीगढ़: मुसलमानों की इबादगाह मस्जिद की दीवार पर हुनूद द्वारा हिंदू धार्मिक नारा (JSR) लिखा गया, पुलिस मौके पर पहुंच धार्मिक नारे को रंग पुतवा कर मीटवाया…#Aligarh #UP #Mosque #Hindutva pic.twitter.com/TZfVusIitY
— Indian Muslim Online (@IndianMuslimOn) December 24, 2023
The city’s Superintendent of Police, Mrigank Shekhar Pathak, conducted an immediate spot inspection upon receiving the report. He stated that the writing on a shop adjacent to the mosque was promptly removed. “There was a dispute between the two sides, but amicable talks have taken place, restoring peace at the site,” mentioned SP Pathak. The individuals involved were identified through video footage.
Expressing concern over the incident, a delegation from the Samajwadi Party (SP) met SP Pathak and submitted a formal complaint, urging strong action against those responsible for disturbing communal peace. Samajwadi Party leader Manoj Yadav, part of the delegation, accused certain anti-social elements of tarnishing the city’s atmosphere and threatened to hold a protest if immediate action was not taken against the miscreants.
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