– Yusra Firdaus
Shivamogga, Jan. 23: Shivamogga town in Karnataka witnessed heightened communal tensions as a burqa-clad Muslim woman and Hindutva activists clashed during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The incident occurred at Shivappa Circle, where the woman, accompanied by her three-year-old child, reportedly started taking pictures while Hindu activists distributed sweets as ‘prasad’ for the occasion. The confrontation escalated into a verbal exchange, with the woman shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ in response to the activists’ ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants.
Hundreds had gathered at Shivappa Nayak Circle to celebrate the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya. Witnesses reported that the woman, amid the sea of saffron-clad supporters, began taking photographs and raised ‘Allahu Akbar’ slogans as people in the crowd were raising ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants. The woman accused PM Modi of corruption, blaming the police and authorities for supporting his “corrupt regime”.
In a video, the woman can be heard accusing the crowd, saying, “They forgive thieves and criminals and instead attack us (Muslims).” She questioned the crowd’s support for Modi, claiming that the country had been destroyed due to their allegiance. The woman’s response with ‘Allahu Akbar’ chants further fueled the confrontation, leading to police intervention.
Police removed the woman from the spot, escorting her to the police station in a jeep. The woman’s father claimed that she was mentally ill and undergoing treatment, a statement currently being verified by the police. No case has been registered in connection with the incident, and authorities assert that the situation has been successfully diffused.
The incident underscores the delicate communal dynamics and the need for a nuanced approach to handling such situations.
