By Radiance News Bureau
New Delhi: Hate crimes and Islamophobic incidents are rising in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand. The latest took place in Dehradun, where Hindu Raksha Dal members protested against Azan at Jama Masjid. They shouted aggressive slogans and tried to enter the mosque to recite “Hanuman Chalisa,” but police stopped them.
On February 25, they gathered near the mosque, chanting inflammatory slogans like “Ayodhya was just a glimpse, Kashi and Mathura are next” and “To live in India, one must chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.” These slogans align with the Sangh Parivar’s strategy.
A leader of the outfit claimed they would recite “Hanuman Chalisa” outside every mosque where Azan is heard loudly, not just in Uttarakhand but across India. He warned of rallies if loudspeakers were not removed and accused police of blocking them from entering the mosque. He vowed they would succeed next time.
A mosque committee member appreciated the police for stopping the mob, preventing possible violence. “Police must disperse such crowds to avoid unrest. We were focused on prayers and unaware of the situation,” he said.
He added that if Azan volume bothers anyone, they can lower it, especially with Ramadan approaching. “We want harmony and won’t disturb the town’s peace,” he stated.
Since BJP came to power, Uttarakhand has become a hub for communal forces. Mosques, religious sites, and Muslim businesses are frequently targeted.
In October last year, violence erupted when police stopped Hindutva groups from attacking a 55-year-old mosque they threatened to demolish. Four police personnel were injured, and Muslim-owned shops were looted. Despite a 1969 district confirmation of its legality, they insisted it was “illegally built.”
