Hindu group, carrying tricolour flags, raises genocidal slogans targeting Muslims in Kashmir
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Jammu and Kashmir: Despite the Supreme Court's repeated calls upon the authorities to clamp down on open hate-mongering, it continues to be spewed without restraint, underscoring the lack of action from the authorities. The latest incident in Kashmir, where action was taken against an open call for the genocide of Muslims only after pressure was exerted on the police, highlights this issue.
At a rally organized by the Right Wing Hindu group as part of the Independence Day celebration in Jammu, called the 'Tiranga Rally,' slogans such as 'Jab mulay katay jayenge, Ram Ram chillayenge,' which translates to 'When Muslims are murdered, they will chant Ram Ram,' were heard being raised by the participants.
The incident occurred shortly after riots rattled the Nuh district in Haryana, further intensifying tensions. In response, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her dismay and demanded accountability from the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
She took to social media, posting a video from the rally where she alleged the chanting of "murderous slogans." Mufti questioned the administration's response, demanding swift action against those inciting hate and violence.
The Jammu police faced intense criticism for their perceived inaction, prompting them to take steps to quell the outrage. The police registered a case under Section 295-A and Section 147 of the Indian Penal Code, arresting two individuals initially. They assured the public that more arrests would follow and emphasized their commitment to preventing incidents that hurt religious sentiments within the region.
The National Conference, a prominent political party, also denounced the hate-filled slogans and called for stringent action against those responsible. The party's spokesperson, Sara Hayat Shah, likened the chanters to terrorists, highlighting the gravity of their actions and words. The controversial call for genocide occurred within the context of Jammu and Kashmir being India's only Muslim-majority state or union territory.
The demographics of the region further underscored the sensitivity of the situation. The 2011 Census reported that Muslims constituted a majority in the former state, with 68% of the population. The division between Jammu and Kashmir showed Hindus forming 65% of Jammu's population, Muslims comprising 31%, and Sikhs accounting for 4%.