New Delhi, March 04 : A shocking video circulating widely on social media shows a group of Hindutva activists vandalizing the Wazirabad Muslim cemetery in North Delhi. The incident occurred during the Hindu festival of Holi and ongoing month of Ramadan, heightening communal tensions in the region.
In the footage, the group of men led by Hindutva activist Satyam Pandit is seen using hammers to smash gravestones, damaging graves, and even attempting to disturb the remains of the deceased. The attackers are seen setting fire to protective coverings (chadars), with petrol reportedly used to intensify the flames. As smoke rises from the burning cemetery, the attackers shout abusive remarks directed at the deceased Muslims buried there, adding an extra layer of cruelty to the desecration.
This attack follows a previous video posted by Pandit from the same site just days earlier, in which he made inflammatory statements inciting communal discord between Hindus and Muslims. Many believe that earlier post emboldened the subsequent attack.
Cemetery caretaker Mahfooz Khan expressed deep distress: “Anti-social elements entered and caused extensive damage to graves, even attempting to harm the bodies of our loved ones.” He noted the site falls under the Waqf Board, with an ongoing high court case mandating fencing for protection. Despite court orders, the intrusion occurred, underscoring enforcement challenges.
Local Muslims rushed to the site to repair broken graves, replace sheets, and clean the area. A nearby Muslim resident, speaking anonymously due to safety fears, said: “Our hearts are shattered. This sacred place honors our departed families. Such attacks leave us anxious about our security, though we remain peaceful.”
Although police registered a case based on the viral video, community members question why action wasn’t taken after the initial provocative video by Pandit, which could have potentially prevented escalation. Muslim leaders demand swift arrests, particularly of Satyam Pandit, and strict enforcement of court orders to prevent further desecration.
The Wazirabad cemetery attack has amplified concerns over minority safety amid rising incidents targeting Muslim sites in Delhi and across India. The Muslim community is now urgently seeking justice, as well as assurances from the authorities to protect religious sites and ensure that such hate-driven acts of vigilantism do not go unpunished. KMS