What happened in The Town of Nuh in Gurgaon?

Only two hours away from the capital city of India, Delhi, the town of Nuh, Gurgaon, became the victim of the bloodiest communal violence. The town was engulfed in violence as clashes erupted between two communities on July 31. Reportedly, six people were killed in this horrific violence.

How did Nuh in Gurgaon become the epicentre of communal violence?

Three years ago, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), in an attempt to "revive holy Hindu sites," started the Brajmandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Haryana's Nuh. As per an old legend, Nuh, previously called Mewat, is home to three Shiva lingas that date back to the time of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata.

According to VHP leaders, there is a "threat of encroachment upon these holy sites by influential people in the region". The Mewat Darshan Yatra, which includes the Jalabhishek Yatra, according to the VHP officials intended to, “help restore the significance of religious sites" in the area.

The district population constitutes of 79.2% muslims while the hindus make for the remaining 20.37% of the population, according to the 2011 census.

Since last three years these temples in Nuh are visited by devotees from neighbouring districts as a part of this yatra.

What transpired on 31st July …

According to police, the unrest began when some young men started throwing stones at the "Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra" procession organised by by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad near Khedla Mod, a few kilometres from the Shiva temple, the starting point of the yatra.

As per the locals, a verbal spat turned into heavily charged stone pelting. Members of both communities involved used arms such as rods, swords, sticks, and guns. A man named Bajrangi, who was leading the procession, was also beaten up.

Rumours on social media fuelled the tensions

The information about the clash spread like wildfire over social media. Members of a few Hindutva organisations claimed that Hindus are facing a serious threat in Muslim-majority areas like Nuh. The perception of the threat to Hindus was further strengthened by the news of stone pelting by unidentified men in the area.

Even before the police could swing into action, reports of unrest started coming from other districts of Haryana. In an act of retaliation based on the claims over social media, a mosque was torched in Gurgaon. Shops owned by muslim community were vandalised and their owners were assaulted.

According to officials, rioters in Haryana's Nuh and Gurugram districts attempted to disrupt a religious procession by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Two home guards, identified as Neeraj and Gursevak, were slain, more than 200 people were hurt, and scores of vehicles were set on fire in ensuing violence on Monday.

Role of Monu Manesar in the violence

It may seem that the violence occurred out of the blue, but the role of Monu Manesar, the infamous cow vigilante and prime accused in the lynchings and burnings of two Muslim men, Nasir and Junaid, in Bhiwani earlier this year, in this incident cannot be ruled out.

The violence that erupted on July 31 was preceded by a video that went viral on social media on July 30. The video was posted by Monu Manesar announcing that he would attend the yatra. The video angered the Muslim residents over his participation in the yatra following his involvement in the Bhiwani incident.

In the viral social media video that antagonised the local Muslim residents,  a person was heard saying, "We are telling you (Muslims) in advance that your jijaji (brother-in-law, referring here to Monu Manesar) is coming to visit. Don't say that we did not inform you. Be ready with flowers and garlands for him."

The pre-existing anger among Muslim residents of Nuh and the latest provocation met with aggressive responses from local young men.

However, Monu Manesar told a news agency that he refrained from participating because the VHP had advised him against it as they thought it would aggravate the situation. On Twitter, some users challenged him to dare visit Nuh.

Some people residing in the Khedla Mod neighbourhood claimed that people in the procession were raising provocative slogans and first attacked the passers-by. The Bajrang Dal and the Gau Raksha Dal also attended the yatra.

On the growing incidents of violence perpetrated by hate speeches, the Supreme Court on August 2 instructed authorities to ensure no hate speech or violence happens during the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad rallies protesting against the Haryana violence.

CM Khattar on violence

On Wednesday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated that all the necessary measures were being taken to restore law and order in the state.

He held a press conference saying that perpetrators won't be spared. Following the press conference, he tweeted, "I will not allow the peace and communal harmony of the state to deteriorate at any cost. Every single culprit of the Nuh incident will be brought to book. And all the damage done will be compensated by the rioters, and it will also be recovered from them."

The Internet ban was partially withdrawn on Thursday for three hours. Offices in Gurgaon have been asked to allow working from home to employees to ensure their safety in view of the volatile situation.