India: Muslim mob attacks Hindus on Diwali

There is virtually no Hindu festival that passes without rabid Muslim mobs mounting unprovoked attacks against unarmed and innocent Hindus. Last week, Hindus celebrated Diwali with joy and grandeur worldwide, but in their home, India, they were ambushed and assaulted by a violent Muslim mob. On Monday, November 13, a disturbing incident unfolded at the Kanifnath temple in the Rahuri region of Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar. A group of Muslims identified as Rajjak Sattar, Raju Sheikh, Ibrahim, Nasir, and forty others unleashed an unprovoked and violent attack on Hindu devotees. This attack occurred as the Hindus were performing rituals of the Diwali celebration and singing devotional prayers. Photos and videos of the Muslims physically assaulting the unprepared victims have since gone viral.

Jihadis illegally claiming ownership of #Kanifnath temple attacked Sadhus n devotees at village Guha, Tal Rahuri under @NagarPolice! Action expected on radical #Izlamists for obstructing hundreds of years old rituals!
We urge HM @Dev_Fadnavis @DGPMaharashtra for immediate… pic.twitter.com/OHpa9SfHP6

— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) November 13, 2023

The Muslim party argues that the site of the Hindu temple is a “Dargah of the Pir,” and asserts that the land is reserved for the Waqf board. Allegedly, the Waqf board has also removed mentions of the Kanifnath Samadhi Temple from the official documents of the site.

Now, the phenomenon of the Waqf board in India is an interesting one; the Islamic committee dealing with land and property rights can designate literally any piece of land or property in the country and declare its ownership, without having the obligation of producing any proof. The onus of proving the Waqf board incorrect is on the owner of the land or property claimed by the Islamic board. This may appear a little twisted, and we may discuss it in detail another day. For now, let’s understand that the Muslim party has claimed a religious site that is of importance to the Hindus. So it is a group of Muslims claiming rights over a place that has religious significance for a different religious group — now that doesn’t sound unfamiliar, does it?

The Hindus have called this a case of land jihad. Local journalist Babulal Rathore recounted that the disorder transpired at the ancient religious site in Guha village, known as the resting place, aka samadhi, of Saint Kanifnath Maharaj.

Though tensions surrounding this site have been going on for over a decade, things escalated about a year ago when some members of the Muslim community desecrated the Hindu site. They removed saffron clothes from the tomb and swapped them with a green sheet, symbolizing Islam. The assailants seem to have plotted this violence on November 13, during the Deepavali Amavasya festivities, knowing it was when the Hindus would be invested in their religious prayers, songs and the distribution of free food at the Kanifnath Mandir site.

The mob, armed with sticks and rods, marched into the prayer space and pounced upon the Hindus, who were engaged in singing devotional songs. They didn’t spare women and children, either. A viral video of the incident shows the attackers slapping the Hindu women who were singing devotional songs. The priest in saffron attire was cornered, and the murderous crowd could be heard shouting “kill him” repeatedly, which added a gory dimension to the mayhem. Several devotees, including temple priest Shankar Kishan Majre, sustained severe injuries.

The police were promptly informed, and the attackers fled the scene as soon as the forces reached the site. Police have initiated an investigation, and victims have been given medical examinations. After learning about the incident, the Hindu community gathered at the site and demanded strict action against the perpetrators.

The police have filed a case, and 62 accused persons have been booked under sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 323, 324, 504, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. They have arrested ten individuals so far, based on the complaint by priest Shankar Manjre; investigations are ongoing. The police have also issued a statement assuring people of justice and maintaining calm and order.

According to Hindu activist Rishikesh Bangre, this disorder was part of a larger plot by Muslims who are determined to seize around 40 acres of land of the one-hundred-year-old Sant Kanifnath Samadhi Mandir. The dispute has been going on for over a decade, and the latest developments have only fueled ongoing tensions.