Violence in eastern India between Hindus and Muslims has killed two teenagers. The police opened fire to put an end to the violence. It is unclear whether the two had already died in the riots or were hit by police bullets.
The clash between the groups was in the town of Ranchi, Jharkhand state. At least fourteen police officers were injured. Authorities have imposed a curfew and shut down the internet to prevent the unrest from spreading. It was also unsettled in other states. 230 people were arrested after Friday prayers in northern Uttar Pradesh.
Statements by two spokesmen of the Hindu Nationalist ruling party (BJP) about the prophet Mohammed have further exacerbated relations between Hindus and Muslims. The statements, seen as anti-Islamic and derogatory, have sparked outrage among Muslims in India and abroad.
Police investigation
Initially, the BJP government tried to dismiss the statements as “peripheral phenomena”, but after international outcry, the course was changed. In the end, the two were suspended and a warning was issued to be more careful with statements about Islam. Police in New Delhi have also launched an investigation.
At the same time, there is criticism of the government. He is said to be too intimidated by threats from the Islamic world and not enough to stand up for freedom of expression. From the Netherlands, via Twitter, PVV leader Wilders repeatedly intervened in the discussion. Today he asked Indian Prime Minister Modi why he does not support his party members publicly.
Civilian Militias
Tensions between Hindus and Muslims have increased since Prime Minister Modi’s Hindu nationalist government took power in 2014. The BJP has long been accused of systematically oppressing the country’s 200 million Muslims.
Civilian militias that oppose cow slaughter, intermarriage and conversions regularly use violence without being punished. Also a new one citizenship law from 2019which makes it easier for refugees from neighboring countries to become citizens unless they are Muslims, sparked large-scale protests.
Correspondent Aletta André made this report in March about a striking consequence of the political changes: stray cows.
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