3 August 2024: In a landmark legal decision, the Patan district court in Gujarat has ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against individuals accused of calling for an economic boycott of Muslims. This directive, issued by District Court Judge and First Class Magistrate HP Joshi, follows the submission of video evidence showing an appeal for the boycott after a communal clash in Balisana village a year ago, reported the Clarion India.
The incident dates back to July 16, 2023, when a communal riot erupted in Balisana village, leading to an extremist Hindu group urging an economic boycott of the Muslim community. This appeal reportedly caused significant disruptions to the livelihoods of Muslim shopkeepers in the area.
Maqbool Hussain Dilawar Bhai, the petitioner, sought legal redress after the Balisana Police Station allegedly ignored his complaint. Represented by lawyer Yusuf Shaikh, Dilawar Bhai presented video evidence in court that captured the accused calling for the boycott. The court recognized this as a clear violation of the law, and ordered a preliminary report to be lodged at the Balisana police station on July 26.
Judge HP Joshi stated that the video evidence indicated a prima facie case of economic harm inflicted on the Muslim community. The court ordered an FIR against Rakesh Patel, Jayanthi Patel, Anil Patel, Deepak Patel, Rohit Chinnawala, Dhruv Patel, and others. The petition claimed these individuals, wielding political influence, could potentially harm the petitioner, his family, and other innocent members of the Muslim community.
In their initial response, the police claimed no forcible eviction of Muslims from their shops nor any violence or hostility against them. However, the court’s acceptance of the video evidence highlighted the clear economic damage suffered by the Muslim community due to the boycott calls.
The court order is seen as a crucial step towards addressing communal tensions and ensuring legal protection for minority communities. It underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law and preventing communal discrimination. This case marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to combat communalism and promote harmony in Gujarat and across the country.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 2.
