The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has written to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, urging immediate intervention to prevent possible communal violence in the Uttam Nagar area of West Delhi ahead of the upcoming Eid festival.
In its representation submitted on March 15, APCR drew attention to a series of hate speeches, inflammatory posters, and public mobilisation in the area that appear to be openly calling for violence against members of the Muslim community in JJ Colony and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The developments follow an incident of violence between two families that took place on March 4 in JJ Colony, in which the police have already initiated proceedings and arrested some of the accused. APCR stated that what was initially a personal dispute is now being deliberately given a communal colour by certain groups to provoke tensions in the locality.
According to the representation, several speeches circulating on social media and delivered at public gatherings contain explicit threats that Muslims will not be allowed to celebrate Eid in Uttam Nagar. Some statements even call for Holi to be forcibly played with Muslims on the day of Eid and for violence to take place before Eid prayers are offered.
APCR has also flagged the circulation of posters announcing that “Holi will be celebrated in Uttam Nagar on 20 March,” a date that coincides with Eid this year.
[Read more on Radiancenews.com]