Amid numerous violent incidents targeting minority communities during Durga Puja processions across India, the Rauza Mosque in Qasba Echauli village, Silaouri Guauspur, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, came under attack by Hindutva mobs.
On October 13, an idol immersion rally that was allowed to peacefully halt in the village for 45 minutes, stayed longer than decided and in between the crowd played offensive-abusive songs and abhorrent slogans with saffron flags. Muslim villagers complained that the extremist masses threw slippers, shoes, colours and beer cans at the Rauza mosque to insult them.
“They stood right in front of the mosque for more than one and a half hours and played extremely obnoxious songs, loaded with sexist words and communal slurs that even degrade our mothers and sisters,” Naseer* told The Observer Post while fumbling over the filthy words.
“Maan ka bh*, “Topi wale”, he mentioned some hateful terms in a low voice.
Muslim residents of the village Qasba Echauli were already aware of the sinister possibilities of communal eruption, so they spread up white canopies to protect the mosque in advance and some police officials were already deployed at the spot when the incident took place.
Some videos of the flashy DJ dias and masses hooting behind amid communal rage also went viral on social portals in which the extremists can be traced with noisy Hindutva-pop songs in front of the majestic green gate of the mosque.
“The main door is around 20 feet high, still the horde flung slippers and colours. We reported to S.H.O. sir. He said that these are just some scoundrels who want to disrupt religious harmony in the village and the police department would deal with it”, said Mohammed Rafiq, a local farmer.
Assurance And Insecurity
Being aware of the aftermaths and more gruesome incidents, the Muslim residents raised their voices to keep safe from the goons in future but they still feel insecure about their religious dignity and security of their properties.
Mohammed Rafiq also filed a complaint in the Silaouri Guaspur Police station in which he clearly identified the attackers as Alok Maurya and Abhishek Chaohan and underlined the ‘Verma Sound Service’ who demeaned the religious minorities and endangered their security and peace within the village. He also reported about the beer cans being thrown on the white graceful dome.
“The police said that they would not take the complaint of Muslim residents but would rather prefer a suo-moto action. They assured us of adequate action”, Rafiq described the police response.
Taking note of the sensitive situation, the police department deployed heavy force in the village who are now safeguarding the mosque but Muslim residents have not overcome the fear and repercussions of the attacks.
BJP Leader Involved
Villagers also pointed towards the involvement of the village head who happens to be a local leader of the Bharatiya Janta Party.
“The attack was planned under the directions of our village head, Pravesh Maurya. The two boys who incited communalism and instigated masses belong to his family. Praveshs’ brother was also provoking hooliganism against us and consequently, he is also liable for whatever happened”, Rafiq told The Observer Post.
However, practising Muslims are still courageous enough to reach the mosque 5-times a day. They stick to their routine and offer prayers under the ‘Imamat’ of Maulana Ayaz.
“There are no restrictions on Namaz and religious activities” Rafiq, who always advocates harmony among residents, said with serenity.
Report Unavailable
Currently, the Muslim residents are also a bit worried about the appropriate documentation of the case. They don’t have any copy of the report as the police department has taken suo-moto action and the complaint is not registered in official records.
Villagers informed that they have not received any updates about the police action.
“Police asked us to access the copy online, but it’s not available on the internet,” Rafiq responded with disappointment.
He informed that Muslims make up more than 50% of the population in the village, although some names have been intentionally removed from voter records.
“Maurya, Vishwakarma, Rawat, Gautam, Chauhan,” he recounted the caste scenario of the Hindu villagers that plays a huge role in the internal politics of the settlement.
After The Attacks
“Law and order is on the fleek. Nothing to worry about now. We have taken action against three goons. Ravi Maurya, Abhishek Chouhan and Alok Maurya are behind the bars,” SDM Preeti Singh who was getting ready for her duty at the ‘Ram-Bharat Milap Event’ told The Observer Post.
“We are also taking action against the DJ operator Rajesh Maurya,” she said.
These actions have been taken under section 107 and section 170/126/135 of BNSS. The police force is persistently on site now, however no preventive action was taken during the hooliganism.
Muslim residents also did not react because the forces were already deployed at the spot and nobody opposed the mobs which openly incited communal hatred.
Religious minorities in the area were compelled to tolerate the assault when the mobs blindly followed their leaders.
After the procession departed from their era, the Muslim worshippers gathered to dispose of the dirty slippers and shoes that had defiled their serene courtyard, preparing the space to bow their heads in prayer for the next Namaz.
