Bahraich, India – At around 10:30am on October 14, Mohammad Kaleem received an urgent call from a friend, telling him to escape with his family. The day before, a 22-year-old Hindu man, Ram Gopal Mishra, was reportedly shot and killed by a Muslim man during a Hindu religious procession in the Muslim-dominated area of Maharajganj, just 5km (3.1 miles) from Kaleem’s home in Kapurpur village in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh. In recent years, Hindu processions have taken on a more hostile tone, with far-right groups playing Islamophobic music and chanting hate-filled slogans as they pass through Muslim neighborhoods.
The tensions in the area escalated when Mishra was killed after hoisting a saffron flag on a Muslim house. This led to communal violence, with Hindus targeting Muslim properties in the area. Kaleem and his family were forced to hide under their beds as a violent mob attacked their home, even throwing petrol bombs inside. Fortunately, they managed to survive the ordeal.
The aftermath of the violence left many residents devastated, with homes and belongings destroyed. The police response to the situation has also been called into question, with allegations that they allowed the violence to occur. The fear and trauma caused by the attacks have left many residents feeling unsafe in their own homes.
The incident has highlighted the growing tensions between different religious communities in the region, with many feeling vulnerable and fearful for their safety. The impact of the violence has been profound, with families losing their livelihoods and homes in the wake of the attacks. The need for peace and harmony between communities has never been more urgent in Bahraich.