Maha: Hindutva mob vandalises mosque, attacks Muslims

Mumbai, NT Bureau: A prolonged ‘Chalo Vishalgad’ campaign by Hindu right-wing groups to clear the historic Vishalgad fort of "encroachment" turned violent in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district on July 14.

A Hindutva mob allegedly vandalized a mosque, houses, and shops belonging to Muslims. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, former Rajya Sabha MP and descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, led a march to the fort with thousands of supporters, who then reportedly unleashed violence against the Muslim community.

However, the police on Tuesday arrested 21 suspects and filed cases, including against a former Rajya Sabha MP. Before Sambhajiraje's arrival at the fort around 9:40 am, his supporters began pelting stones at the mosque and attacking local Muslim residents nearby.

Locals alleged that the mosque, which is on the way to Vishalgad but 6 km away from the fort, was not actually on fort land, calling such claims bizarre and fake. 

Speaking to Clarion India, Imran Sanadi, a local All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader who visited the affected area, said that around 40 Muslims got injured in the attacks and even children were not spared by the mob.

According to him, all those who were attacked and got injured are Muslims.

“Muslims were targeted. They were brutally beaten up. Even a six-year-old child were assaulted,” said Imran.

The attacks on Muslims reportedly took place in the presence of police, as shown in videos that surfaced. Despite claims of heavy deployment to stop the Hindutva mob, only a few police personnel were seen guarding the area.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra, urging them to take action against the perpetrators.

He compared the incident to the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992. Owaisi shared a video on his official account, stating, “6 December continues” @mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis under your government a Masjid is attacked by a Mob, this is an attack on Rule of Law but your government is not concerned.”

A human rights activist told News Trail, "Why has no mainstream media made this an issue or covered it in prime time? There's no media coverage whatsoever, which is not good for the idea of India. I'm really amazed that no big media houses are addressing this, even though the viral videos clearly show attacks on minorities and Muslims."