What happened during the Yatra?
There are many ancient temples in the Nuh district of Haryana that have been losing their identity. For the past 3 years, the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Matrishakti Durgavahini, aims to revive the forgotten temples and highlight their historical significance.
The yatra was flagged off earlier from Gurugram's Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. A police contingent was deployed with the yatra. Around 2 pm, more than 200 people started walking from Edward Chowk in Nuh town. A large crowd then pelted stones at the procession. Initially, the Hindu side fled, but later they retaliated.
As per the reports, there was a viral video in which Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante with a history of murders, created tension in the area. However, Monu Manesar said he did not participate on the advice of the VHP, which feared that his presence would create tension, the vigilante told PTI.
The Aftermath - Destruction of the Clash
According to a report, during the riots, at least 120 vehicles got damaged. Out of those, 50 were set on fire, including eight police vehicles. On Tuesday, about 200 men on motorbikes and SUVs caused chaos in Badshahpur. They destroyed around 14 shops in the main market, including food stalls. In Palwal district, a mob set more than 25 huts on fire in Parshuram Colony. In sector 66 Gurgaon, a group of men set fire to at least four restaurants and scrap shops.
Root Cause of the Violence
There is no simple answer for this violence, but various reasons contributed to its outbreak. During this time, politicians didn't miss the chance to blame each other. In today's fast-paced world, where information spreads like wildfire, social media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion. While cheap internet has contributed significantly to India's development, it has also become a medium to spread hate. Spreading fake news and misinformation through propaganda has led to the propagation of hatred.
On one side, the literacy rate is increasing day by day, but a critical thinking and questioning mentality are still missing. People can easily be swayed to believe anything. When we receive any news, we should always verify it with more than one reliable source.
The lack of media responsibility in verifying news and providing non-provocative information also adds fuel to the fire. It's high time for individuals to bridge the gaps of religion and work together to prevent such incidents in the future.
