Unabashed Biases Come to Fore
Hindu-phobic reportage during recent violence in Nuh may have actually led in part to escalation in violence, loot and daylight killings
Introduction:
Biases displayed by global media in reportage of recent violence in India’s northern state of Haryana are unprecedented. Unlike what is written in major global news outlets, it’s important to present the actual and on-the-ground reality to debunk fabricated narratives peddled as the truth. Certain media outlets, which disseminate false stories and mislead readers, not only cause misinformation but also contribute to social conflicts, intended or unintended.
Media biases are particularly evident in reporting of communal incidents and political figures in India. Some media outlets and self-proclaimed left liberal ecosystem have faced accusations of taking stand that’s far from truth, engaging in selective reporting and appeasing a few communities as part of a larger well designed conspiracy.
This raises concerns about fairness of media coverage during violent incidents or conflicts. While media has been critical in certain cases, it has been silent or biased in others, leading to accusations of double standards. Prevailing narrative suggests a trend of anti-Hindus sentiment in the global media, with increasing number of news portals being critical of right-wing politics and activism.
It is worth questioning what happened to those who were once considered flag bearers of ethical journalism post-2014. Historical instances in 1985, 1968, and 1987 highlighted selective reporting on Hindu-Muslim issues in several studies. Some news publications even censor names of Hindu victims and replace perpetrator names to portray Hindus negatively, prompting the need for accountability within the media ecosystem.
Haryana violence reportage
If we look at the way Haryana\’s Nuh violence is being analysed, explained and reported, then blindness of the media becomes apparent. In this whole arson, mayhem and worse, the killing of five people including two policemen, self-styled \’liberal\’ commentators and the intelligentsia failed to see any Islamic connection to it.
Pre-mediated violence is evident as it occurred even though Monu Manesar was not part of the Hindu procession. Impulsiveness of the devastation is evident from prearranged amassing of stones and iron rods at the scene. Extraordinariness of the situation further unfolds as the violence erupted within mere 15 minutes of Hindus annual procession commencement, with an unexpectedly armed and well-dressed crowd of approximately 200 people seemingly appearing out of nowhere. According to media reports, the Hindu side initially retreated, but later regrouped and resisted.
Now, let\’s delve into truth of this incident and examine how the media has depicted it. It is concerning to observe a dangerous trend where incidents are unjustly linked to specific individuals and exploited against them. When all aspects of the violence strongly suggest that it was premeditated and pre-planned, it becomes even more questionable to single out and associate it with any one person.
Look at some reportage of media outlets:
Source: The New York Times
Source: British Broadcast Corporation (BBC)
Source: Al Jazeera
A Premeditated Event
Propaganda notwithstanding, Haryana state chief minister Mannohar Lal Khattar after chairing a high level meeting with state’s home minister along with senior police and administrative officials said “The incident appears to be part of a larger conspiracy, as the Samajik Yatra (societal procession) has been taking place annually for several years. The authorities are investigating the incident to further to find out the underlying causes and potential motives behind it.”
Home minister Anil Vij said “the incident does not appear to have happened all of a sudden. The level of violence that took place and also occurred at different points, the way stones were collected, weapons brandished and shots were fired, it does not have happened all of a sudden.”
Afzal Ahmed, Member of Legislative Assembly of Haryana from Nuh said “This was a planned act of violence that has been carried out. In the past, there have been trips, but nothing like this ever happened”
Chronology of Violence:
On July 31, 2023, a \’Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra\’ , a procession held by Hindus annually was obstructed by a group of young Muslims near Khedla Mod area in Nuh district of Haryana.
Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, aimed at rejuvenating sacred Hindu sites, has been an annual event for the past three years. Notably, Nuh, formerly known as Mewat, is believed to house three ancient Shiva lingas, namely Nalhar Mahadev Temple, Jhirakeshwar Mahadev, and Shringeshwar Mahadev Temple.
Within mere 15 minutes of the yatra\’s commencement at Khedla Mod of Nuh, the situation took a drastic turn as Islamists began pelting stones, and shooting from unlicensed weapons triggering acts of arson. Witnessing the escalating chaos, the devotees attempted to retreat, but they encountered a barrage of stones from behind as well. Amidst the turmoil, petrol bombs were hurled at the devotees, making virtually challenging for some to seek refuge at the Nalhar Mahadev temple.
Having cornered the devout Hindus in a dragnet of sorts, the rioters closed in on the temple, surrounding it, and wreaking havoc by setting cars, buses, and various vehicles ablaze, while firing indiscriminately at anyone in their path. Tragically, two individuals were hit by bullets during this rampage. Almost all vehicles were either burnt or severely damaged in the onslaught.
Upon arrival of the police, the rioters fled, seeking refuge in the nearby hills, where they continued their assault by firing bullets at women, children and other devotees who had sought shelter inside the temple. With great effort, the administration managed to subdue the rioters and bring devotees out under police escort.
Throughout this violent attack, the rioters specifically targeted police posts, temples, shops, and properties belonging to Hindus, leaving a trail of destruction and fear in their wake.
The violence that originated in Nuh district quickly spread to the neighbouring areas of Sohna, Gurgaon, and Faridabad. As a consequence, innocent residents of these regions fell victim to rampage unleashed by the Islamic rioters. Hindus faced attacks on their homes and shops, witnessed their vehicles being vandalized, and experienced direct physical assaults.
Nuh (Mewat): Muslims dominant!
Nuh, a district situated in the Muslim-majority Mewat region, holds the distinction of being considered “home to Meo Muslims.” Established as a district in 2005, the area was carved out of Faridabad and Gurgaon. It is historically significant as the birthplace of the Tablighi Jamaat, founded in 1926 by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas. This community has witnessed substantial increase in numbers along with rise in crime in the area.
Tablighi Jamaat, originating in Mewat, is known for its mission to challenge and suppress Hindu values by actively seeking conversions to and propagating Islam aggressively in Indian villages. This has led to notable changes in cultural and religious dynamics in the region, contributing to its unique socio-religious landscape.
Here are some cases that shed light on the extent of deep-rooted issues prevalent in the region, ranging from cybercrime and cattle-smuggling to crimes against women and Hindus. These instances serve as stark reminders of the multifaceted challenges that need to be addressed.
- In September 2018, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) dismantled a hawala module and apprehended three terrorists – Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Salim, and Sajjad Abdul Wani. These individuals were associated with Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, an organisation affiliated with Hafiz Saeed\’s Lashkar-e-Taiba. The operation was a significant step in countering terrorism and disrupting illicit financial networks supporting such organisations.
- On October 26, 2020, a shocking incident took place outside Aggarwal College in Ballabgarh, Faridabad, where a 21-year-old student named Nikita Tomar was brutally shot dead in broad daylight. The perpetrators behind this heinous act were two men, and it was later revealed that one of them, Tauseef, had been persistently harassing and making unwanted advances towards Nikita.
Tragically, Tauseef, who hailed from Mewat, emerged as the prime accused in the murder of Nikita Tomar. The incident shed light on the pressing issue of safety and security, urging for stronger measures to protect individuals from such threats and violence.
- On November 27, 2021, during peaceful protests organized by the Hindu community in Gurugram, Haryana, against the practice of offering Namaz at public places, a significant incident occurred. A Muslim man named Khalid openly admitted to travelling a distance of 50 km from Mewat to the protest site with the intention of performing Namaz on the streets.
- On November 2, 2022, an 11-year-old minor Hindu girl was raped for six months by 32-year-old Sajid. Initially, he enticed her with food and raped her. He then threatened her while continuing the sexual abuse. When Sajid was apprehended, the victim was six months pregnant.
- On April 27, 2023, Haryana Police conducted multiple raids in the Nuh district as part of its massive crackdown against cyber criminals. 102 police teams comprising over 5,000 personnel raided 14 villages in Nuh and apprehended 125 cybercriminals or hackers. Due to the increase in “sex-tortion” cases and online fraud, the Nuh region in Haryana has become a hotbed for cybercrime.
Concluding Observation:
This region, with Muslim majority, has a concerning history of terrorist affiliations, extremist activities, and communal riots. The patterns of violence and unrest in the area have raised significant concerns.
Political patronage of these elements, international linkages to anti-India modules and extremist jihadist groups has turned Nuh, a fertile ground for the violence that was unleashed a few days back.