New Delhi: Karauli district in Rajasthan is under curfew and police vigilance is stepped up for last two days, as the city witnessed violence and communal clashes following an attack on motorcycle rally held to celebrate the Hindu new year.
More than 35 people were injured in arson & violence and 46 people were taken into custody for alleged role in inciting & instigating the perpetrators.
Now, there are reports of Popular Front of India (PFI), a radical Islamic organisation’s role behind the violence. It has come to light that the group wrote a letter to Gehlot government, two days before the saffron group’s proposed march to mark the celebrations of Hindu New Year.
While the rally was marching through a minority dominated area, they were attacked and stone-pelted. Bikes were set ablaze while wide scale arson followed.
The PFI wrote this letter to Gehlot government on April 1, a day ahead of the celebration rally. Further speaking to media, it alleged that RSS & saffron outfits were set to take out marches and deliberate attempts will be made to incite communal passions & disturb harmony. It also demanded that state govt allocates routes for procession marches.
Lately, PFI has been in the crosshairs of agencies because of its attempts to fan communal violence by supporting & financing perpetrators in protests like Shaheen Bagh and CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh. The Islamist outfit is also spreading its wings in Rajasthan. Recently, it organised a big programme in Kota district.
Sanyog or Prayog? BJP demands answers
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala slammed Gehlot government for keeping mum on the violence that looked more of conspiracy than a random incident.
Taking objection to Gehlot govt, it questioned why Gehlot administration didn’t up vigil despite advance warning. Or it chose to look the other way? He asked.
Is this not a reflection of the Aurangzebi mindset of Rajasthan Govt
Can Hindus not even remove a Shobha yatra now in Congress rule?
Destruction of Salasar Balaji gate
Attacks on Sadhus
144 to prevent people from seeing Kashmir FilesLong list of Aurangzebi behaviour 2/2
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) April 4, 2022
He also cornered the Congress ruled govt over destruction of Salasar Balaji gate and imposition of Section 144 to prevent violence during screening of Kashmir Files but no preparatory action to stop violence against Hindu New Year celebrations.
What happened in Karauli?
While the procession celebrating the Hindu New Year was passing through a Muslim dominated region, a group of locals & miscreants started pelting stones from rooftops. Violence erupted and a couple of shops became target of arson. A couple of motorcycles were also burnt by the perpetrators.
The area has been under strict police vigilance after the communal clashes. Internet services also remained suspended in the district to avoid circulation of hatred-filled videos.