Rajasthan, Aug. 19: In a disturbing incident that has heightened communal tensions, a Hindu monk in the Balotra area of Rajasthan delivered an inflammatory speech targeting the Muslim community. The speech, which took place on Saturday, August 17, included explicit calls for mass violence against Muslims, referring to them as “demons” and “cannibals.”, reported The Hindustan Times.
The monk, addressing a large gathering of people carrying tricolour and saffron flags, made a chilling statement: “If they (Muslims) kill one Hindu, we will kill 100 Muslims. We will enter their homes and kill them.” He also propagated a dangerous and baseless conspiracy theory, falsely claiming that the Muslim call to prayer, the Azan, is a signal for Hindus to be killed.
The event concluded with the participants taking an oath to spread awareness among Hindus and to “teach lessons” to Muslims, further stoking fears of violence and communal unrest.
This incident has sparked outrage on social media, where a video of the speech has been widely circulated, drawing condemnation from various quarters. The monk’s remarks come at a time when India is witnessing a worrying rise in anti-minority violence, often fueled by extremist rhetoric.
The situation in Rajasthan, where the Muslim community constitutes a significant minority, is particularly tense. This incident is seen as part of a broader pattern of hate speech and violence against minorities, which has been escalating in the country.
The authorities are yet to comment on the incident, but there are growing calls for immediate action against the monk to prevent further escalation of communal tensions. The incident underscores the urgent need for measures to curb hate speech and protect minority communities in India.
