New Delhi, Feb 18 : A fact-finding team has said that the violent incident on February 8, 2024, in Banbhulpura, Haldwani area of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)ruled disturbed Uttarakhand state in India, did not occur suddenly; it was the result of a steady rise in communal tensions in over recent years.
A fact-finding team, comprising members of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Karawan-e-Mohabbat, and civil rights activist Zahid Qadri, visited Haldwani on February 14, 2024, to investigate the recent anti-Muslim situation with violence that erupted in the region addressed a press conference at PCI in New Delhi.
The team’s preliminary findings, based on extensive discussions with members of civil society, journalists, writers, lawyers, and a few affected persons who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reveal alarming details about the events leading to the violence.
The fact-finding committee’s report asserts that the violent incident on February 8, 2024, in Banbhulpura, Haldwani, did not occur suddenly; it was the result of a steady rise in communal tensions in Uttarakhand over recent years. The state BJP government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and radical right-wing Hindutva groups have contributed to a highly polarizing narrative with disturbing elements. The discourse includes creating Uttarakhand as a holy land for communal ideology of Hindus, excluding other religious minorities mostly Muslims and Christens. The Hindutva groups propagated in forms of Jihad, economic and social boycotts of Muslims, and eviction threats have fueled the divisive atmosphere.
The report said that prior to the incident, Haldwani, with a significant Muslim population, experienced small communal clashes and disputes. The dispute was raised by the Indian Railways by claim regarding settlements in Railway land of Muslim residents. Disputes also emerged about the legal ownership of urban land in Muslim-majority areas. The immediate trigger for the recent violence was the disputed ownership of around 6 acres of land by Sophiya Malik, which the state government contends is Nazul land.
The situation remained relatively calm until the evening of February 8 when the Municipal office, accompanied by significant police protection, arrived to demolish a sealed Mosque and Madrasa despite the matter being sub-judice. The demolition sparked anguish among residents, especially when police forcibly removed and beat Muslim women who stood in front of bulldozers. The refusal to hand over sacred properties before the demolition further fueled community anger. The ensuing violence saw stone-throwing by both sides, injuries to police and residents, and the escalation of tensions.
The violence rapidly escalated, with crowds setting vehicles near the police station on fire, resulting in parts of the police station being ablaze. The police responded with firing; a measure typically reserved after exhausting less lethal crowd dispersal methods. Conflicting reports exist about when the firing started and when formal shoot-at-sight orders were given. Officially, six Muslims were reported killed, but local residents believe the actual toll may be higher. The imposition of a prolonged curfew and internet shutdown has further heightened tensions and caused significant hardships for the affected community.
Reports indicate that the police conducted extensive search operations in approximately 300 homes, beating Muslim residents, including women and children, and damaging properties. Numerous individuals, including young men, women, and juveniles, were reportedly detained and taken to undisclosed locations for interrogation. The fear and dread in the area are exacerbated by the ongoing internet shutdown, preventing residents from communicating their fears and reporting incidents of vandalization and beatings.
In conclusion, the report highlights the underlying tensions and factors contributing to the violence in Haldwani. It underscores the need for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the events, accountability for those responsible for instigating violence and excessive force, and measures to address the grievances and restore peace in the affected community. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional principles of equality, freedom of religion, and protection of minority rights to prevent similar incidents in the future.