– Raheem Khan
Jaipur: A joint delegation representing the Rajasthan Muslim Forum and the Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity Rajasthan (FDCA) met with the Director General of Police (DGP), to address the recent communal unrest in Shahpura, Mandalgarh, and Bhilwara. The delegation expressed grave concerns about the escalating tensions and sought immediate action to restore peace and justice.
The delegation was led by Mohammad Nazimuddin, General Secretary of RMF and President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Rajasthan, along with Advocate Syed Saad Ali, President of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights Rajasthan Chapter. Other prominent members included Shoukat Qureshi, former Wakf Board member and Secretary of Milli Council Rajasthan, Vaqar Ahmed, President of WPI Rajasthan, Dr. Shahbuddin, Vice President of SDPI Rajasthan, and Muzammil Rizvi, General Secretary of APCR and FDCA Rajasthan.
The delegation submitted a memorandum detailing the events of September 14, 2024, when a minor altercation during a Jal Jhulni Ekadashi procession in Jahazpur escalated into a larger communal conflict. According to the memorandum, the situation worsened when a mob, allegedly led by local MLA Gopi Chand Meena, surrounded a mosque, inciting violence. Muslim-owned shops and cabins were targeted. The delegation further alleged that four bulldozers were used to demolish these shops in the presence of police and local authorities.
The delegation strongly condemned the actions and the perceived inaction of law enforcement. They pointed out that despite arrests made on both sides, a discriminatory approach was taken, with Muslim community members imprisoned while the other party received personal bail. They also highlighted that the police failed to register an FIR filed by the Muslim side, while a suo moto case was initiated against them.
The memorandum called for urgent steps to curb the spread of communalism in the Bhilwara region. The delegation urged the DGP to take strict action against those responsible for the violence, including those involved in the demolition of shops, looting, and arson. They also demanded the seizure of the bulldozers used in the destruction and accountability for the police officers who allegedly acted with bias.
The delegation also visited Jahazpur and Shahpura to assess the situation firsthand. They called for a thorough investigation, justice for the victims, and efforts to restore peace and communal harmony in the affected areas. It emphasized the need for swift action to prevent further deterioration of communal relations in Rajasthan and safeguard the region’s peace and stability.
