2022 Shivamogga riots

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The 2022 Shivamoga riots took place in the city of Shivamoga, India, due to the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha Jingade. [1]

Contents

Causes

The 26-year-old Hindu activist was murdered by six Muslims. He was defending the Karnataka government's regulation on uniforms that barred students from wearing any religious attire inside educational institutions. He was primarily involved in the hijab protest. Six Muslims saw a message related to this on Jingade's Facebook page and decided to kill him on 23 February. However, police suspect that his past criminal record was the motive. [1]

Riot

The riot happened during the funeral procession for 26-year-old Hindutva activist Harsha Jingade. [2] The procession was led by senior BJP leaders. It violated section 144 of the criminal code. Eyewitnesses and police sources estimate the number of attendees at around 600. Despite the law, violence took place in Muslim-dominated areas like Azad Nagar, OT Road, Gandhi Bazar, Seegehatti, Siddaiah Nagar, Urdu Bazar and Clarke Pete. Bajrang Dal members were among the 5,000 people who participated, defying prohibitions. The crowds indulged in violence, vandalism and arson and chanted religious slogans and death threats to the Muslim community. [1] The protestors attacked Muslim shops and establishments. Private property in local Muslim residential areas was attacked. Stones were thrown at garment stores and other commercial establishments.[ citation needed ]

The violence that began in the Segehatti area spread quickly across Gandhi Bazar, Nehru Road, Ramanna Shetty Park and finally was brought under control at the Shivappa Nayaka Circle. Police fired tear gas and performed latti charges on protestors. [3] At least 10 people were injured in the stone-throwing incidents and around 8 vehicles were damaged by arson. [4] Two photojournalists, a policeman and a woman were among the injured. [2]

Violence against Muslims

During the riots, violence and hate crimes against Muslims took place. Hindu supporters allegedly vandalized and set fire to at least four vehicles belonging to Muslims, attacked Muslim houses, and vandalized and burned their shops, garment shops and commercial establishments. They shouted religious slogans, death threats and threw stones. [5]

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At the beginning of February 2022, a dispute pertaining to school uniforms was reported in the Indian state of Karnataka, when some Muslim students of a junior college who wanted to wear hijab to classes were denied entry on the grounds that it was a violation of the college's uniform policy which was also followed by the other religion students as well. Over the following weeks, the dispute spread to other schools and colleges across the state, with groups of Hindu students staging counter-protests by demanding to wear saffron scarves. On 5 February, the Karnataka government issued an order stating that uniforms must be worn compulsorily where policies exist and no exception can be made for the wearing of the hijab. Several educational institutions cited this order and denied entry to Muslim girls wearing the hijab.

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A Hindu–Muslim clash occurred in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area on 16 April 2022, in the midst of a Hindu procession on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The clash took place during the last of three processions organised that day by Bajrang Dal, a right wing Hindu group nationalist organization. The procession, whose members were reportedly brandishing swords and pistols, halted near a mosque where Muslims were holding Ramadan prayers, while blasting music from loudspeakers and shouting abusive slogans. A conflict broke out, during which both groups pelted the other with stones and other objects; a few shots were fired as well. A number of people were injured, including a police officer. Twenty three people were arrested, including two juveniles.

On 10 April 2022, a clash between Hindus and Muslims occurred in the city of Khargone, Madhya Pradesh. It took place between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, in the midst of a Ram Navami procession organised by a Hindu nationalist organisation allied to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). At 5:00 pm, when Muslims were gathering for evening prayers at the neighbouring Jama Masjid, the procession had not yet departed from the city's central Talab Chowk area.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Prasanna, Pooja (27 February 2022). "Let down by govt and cops during riot, Muslims in Shivamogga live in anxiety". The News Minute. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 Video | Tension In Shivamogga After Bajrang Dal Activist's Murder , retrieved 5 April 2023
  3. "Karnataka: Protests Over Shivamogga Bajrang Dal Man's Murder Turn Violent". The Wire. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  4. "Bajrang Dal man's killing sparks Shivamogga riots". Deccan Herald. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  5. "Police Complicit : Shivamogga Muslims Recount Carnage After Bajrang Dal Man s Murder". thewire.in. Retrieved 2 May 2022.