At least 4 separate incidents of targeted attacks by Muslim mobs on Hindu kanwariya pilgrims, police & others on the day of Eid have been reported from 4 states – Badaun (UP), Hingoli (Maharashtra), Jaipur (Rajasthan) & Muzaffarpur (Bihar).

Jaipur

We have already reported on the massive mob violence that engulfed walled city area of Jaipur for 3 days (11-13 August), after Kanwariyas were pelted with stones on the day before Eid. Dozens of people were injured in this violence.

Badaun

On 12th August, at least 12 ‘kanwariya’ were injured, one of them seriously, when they were attacked by a group of Muslims who objected to their playing ‘loud music’ outside an Idgah on Badaun-Bisauli road while Eid prayers were being offered.

The incident occurred in Islamnagar police station area of Badaun, UP. Kanwariyas returning in a tractor trolley from Haridwar were pelted with stones and chased for nearly two kilometers by the Muslim mob. As per local reports, the pilgrims had turned off their music as requested by police before crossing the mosque, yet they were attacked.

The Muslim mob also attacked the policemen on duty at the spot and at least eight constables, including three women constables, had to take shelter in a nearby petrol pump to save themselves, the police said.

Hingoli

Kanwariyas were attacked by a 100-strong Muslim mob in Hingoli, which falls in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Viral videos shared on social media show a rioting mob, including several children as young as 8-9 years, tearing down posters, disrupting traffic and pelting stones & chasing after traffic policemen on duty.

However, Navbharat Times (Times of India group’s Hindi publication) has reported it as a ‘clash’ between Kanwar Yatris belonging to Shiv Sena and Muslim namazis. The violence occurred around 9.30 in the morning between Aundha Eidgah and Nanded Naka area, and no one was injured as per police.

PTI also reported it as a ‘clash between Shiv Sena supporters and members of the Muslim community’, but claimed the exact trigger behind the violence is not yet known. No media report makes mention of the attack on traffic police which can be clearly seen in videos.

One wonders how these reports figured out the Kanwar Yatris were Shiv Sena supporters, but are unclear about the political affiliation of the Muslim rioters?

A Chauthi Duniya video report states that kanwariyas were in fact injured in the assault, and that there were subsequent clashes where vehicles were vandalized on both sides. All of this seems to have been suppressed by mainstream media.

Muzaffarpur

In Muzaffarpur, Bihar too Kanwariyas were attacked by a Muslim mob over the issue of ‘loud music’. Mainstream media again appears to have buried this incident, but this IndiaTV video report states that at least 5 people have bene seriously injured, a bike and cycle were burnt, and police pelted with stone when they tried to control the situation.

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