‘Riot-like situation’: Rahul Gandhi targets BJP over fears of Delhi Eid violence; HC orders police to step up security

“The people of Uttam Nagar have paid a heavy price for the violence – on one hand, a young man named Tarun lost his life and on the other hand, the entire family faced persecution. They do not want any more bloodshed,” he added.He further appealed to Delhi residents not to succumb to the “provocations” of the BJP.“An appeal to the residents of Delhi: Do not succumb to any provocation – the strength of our country lies in our unity, brotherhood and love. Connect the connections, unite India,” he said.The High Court issued the direction after a PIL was filed regarding possible violence during Eid in Uttam Nagar area. The petitioner sought directions on the ground of alleged threats delhi police and district governments to take preventive measures. The plea also made reference to the Holi incident in Uttam Nagar where a 26-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by members of a particular community.Tarun, aged around 26, was allegedly beaten to death after a neighborhood dispute escalated between two families from different religious communities in Uttam Nagar.The complaint said that while the initial incident in Uttam Nagar was a local one, it was later communalized through the dissemination of inflammatory content, mobilization of crowds and organization of protests such as ‘Akrosh Sabhas’. The rallies allegedly featured provocative rhetoric and incited violence against Muslim communities, including slogans promoting extrajudicial killings, economic boycotts and social ostracism. According to the complaint, this created a climate of fear and increased risk to life and property, especially as Eid al-Fitr approaches, as some speeches explicitly called for preventing Muslims from celebrating the holiday.

“The ‘ultimatum’ issued against the police for their extrajudicial encounter with the accused in the Tarun murder case and the complete punitive demolition of their houses further led to the clarion call not to allow Eid celebrations in Uttam Nagar, leaving Muslims like Tarun’s family weeping,” the plea said.“It is also felt that this is likely to trigger riots or other disturbances on Eid-ul-Azha, especially with posters and messages circulating online calling for Holi to be celebrated in Uttam Nagar on Eid-ul-Fitr. There is a high likelihood that more hateful and provocative remarks will be made against ‘particular communities’ as this is a continuation of an already criminal narrative in the public domain,” the plea added.