New Delhi: Just as US President Donald Trump prepared to leave India, paramilitary forces were called in as riots in north-east Delhi entered the third day. Around 21 people have been reportedly killed and around 189 people injured so far.
Widespread stone-pelting and arson were reportedly throughout Tuesday night. The BBC reported that many of the injured were “too scared to go back home”.
The Delhi High Court ordered the government and police to ensure public safety and that it “can’t let another 1984” happen again. The court also played a clip of BJP’s Kapil Mishra after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that he had not seen the alleged hate speech. Justice Muralidhar also remarked, “I am really amazed at the state of affairs of the Delhi Police”.
One Intelligence Bureau personnel, Ankit Sharma’s body was found in a drain on Wednesday morning. He was returning home on Tuesday evening and was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Chand Bagh.
Such a tragic loss of life. The culprits must not be spared. 20 people have already lost their lives. So painful to watch people of Delhi suffering
Praying that we recover from this tragedy soon n work together to undo damage done to people n communities https://t.co/5iYR5jiNbu
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2020
According to eyewitnesses and videos on social media, mobs went around vandalizing mosques. In one particular case, rioters were seen trying to rip the crescent from the top of a minaret. The Times Of India reported incidents of random shooting from rooftops in some areas.
I’m at Mustafabad, near the Loni Border, and new fires (set post-9pm) are burning in front of our eyes – Muslim jhuggis and tempos, according to onlookers – by masked men shouting JSR. Delhi Police are present saying they are unable to intervene. pic.twitter.com/tXT6k2qcXB
— Raghu Karnad (@rkarnad) February 25, 2020
Two journalists have been injured while reporting the news.
Across parts of North East Delhi, Muslim residents have been targeted by violent mobs inside their homes. This video on #Mojo shows lathi wielding mobs chanting Jai Shri Ram and banging down doors of houses.. . What an abuse of Lord Ram. Makes you sick with shame #DelhiRiots pic.twitter.com/hbQ6OlSiv0
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 26, 2020
The BBC reported that many, including journalists, have tweeted and spoken of mobs demanding to know their religion. One photojournalist said he was asked to remove his pants to prove his identity. Most Muslim men are circumcised as part of their religion.
Muslim-majority neighbourhoods such as Maujpur, Mustafabad, Jaffrabad and Shiv Vihar are on high alert.
Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2020
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed for peace and has met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss details.
Congress working president Sonia Gandhi blamed the centre, Delhi govt and home ministry for the violence and suggested that Amit Shah should resign. The Shiv Sena compared the violence to a “horror film” depicting the grim reality of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
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