Extreme Violence

Communal clashes across India are leaving behind a trail of death and devastation. Tolerance is the need of the hour

- Shreya Basak

September 21, 2013 

Muzaffarnagar Riots

The Muzaffarnagar riots, which broke out in 2013, are considered the worst communal riots in the history of Uttar Pradesh. The initial riots broke out on September 21, 2013, after a girl from the Hindu Jat community was allegedly eve-teased by a Muslim youth from Kawal village. In retaliation, her brothers, Sachin Singh and Gaurav Singh, killed the youth, Shahnawaz Qureshi. In protest, the brothers were lynched by a Muslim mob while they tried to escape. The situation, which slowly took a religious overtone, led to violent clashes that spread across Muzaffarnagar and then extended beyond the district by September 27. However, there have been claims that the cause allegedly involved a bike accident between the youth and the brothers. The riots, which were heavily politicised, led to the killing of more than 60 people.

September 28, 2015

Dadri Lynching

52-year-old ironsmith, Mohammad Akhlaq, a resident of Bisahda village, near Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, and his 22-year-old son were brutally beaten on suspicion of cow slaughtering. While Akhlaq died on the spot, his son had to undergo serious medical treatment. A group of cow vigilantes entered Akhlaq’s house late evening on September 28, 2015, after a neighbour allegedly complained against the family of stealing and slaughtering a cow. However, reports later contradicted whether the meat was goat or beef. Following the lynching, protests broke out across parts of the country, with the arrested accused receiving immense support from right-wing leaders.

April 1, 2017 Pehlu Khan Lynching