The Association for Protection of Civil Rights has written to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, urging immediate intervention to prevent communal violence in the Uttam Nagar area of West Delhi ahead of Eid, which falls on March 20 this year. The representation, submitted on March 15, warned that a series of hate speeches, inflammatory posters and public mobilisation are openly threatening violence against the Muslim community in JJ Colony and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The developments follow the March 4 violence in JJ Colony, in which 26-year-old Tarun Kumar was killed during a Holi night altercation between two families from different communities. Police have since arrested several accused in that case. APCR stated that what was initially a personal dispute between two families is now being deliberately given a communal colour by certain groups to provoke wider tensions in the locality ahead of Eid.
Threats That Muslims Will Not Be Allowed to Celebrate Eid
According to the APCR representation, several speeches circulating on social media and delivered at public gatherings contain explicit threats that Muslims will not be allowed to celebrate Eid in Uttam Nagar. Some statements go further, calling for Holi to be forcibly played with Muslims on the day of Eid and for violence to take place before Eid prayers are offered.
The organisation also flagged the circulation of posters announcing that Holi will be celebrated in Uttam Nagar on March 20, a date that coincides directly with Eid this year. APCR warned that such messaging, combined with provocative public speeches, has created a serious atmosphere of fear among residents of the area.
The Eidgah in JJ Colony is used every year by thousands of people from the surrounding neighbourhoods to offer Eid prayers. Local residents are now deeply anxious about whether they will be able to gather peacefully for prayers and celebrations this year.
Demands Made to Police
APCR has urged the Delhi Police to identify those responsible for spreading hate speech and incitement to violence and to register cases against them under applicable law. The organisation has called for regular police patrolling in the area, public warnings against attempts to disturb communal peace and adequate security arrangements in and around the Eidgah and nearby mosques ahead of and on the day of Eid.
APCR has also filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Cell regarding the circulation of hateful and inflammatory content on social media platforms. The organisation asked the authorities to communicate within 24 hours the concrete steps being taken to prevent any breach of peace in the area.
The representation was submitted by Md. Wasiq Nadim Khan, National Secretary of APCR, with copies marked to the ACP of Dabri Sub Division and the SHO of Uttam Nagar Police Station.
