By Waquar Hasan
New Delhi – Signboards declaring a ban on the entry of Muslims have appeared in several villages of Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district, following communal violence sparked by the alleged killing of a local man by a Muslim resident.
The incident, which occurred on April 24, involved the alleged murder of photographer Shambhu Singh during a road rage altercation. Although the accused was arrested immediately, the violence that followed targeted Muslim-owned businesses. Around 40–50 shops were reportedly looted, vandalized, and set ablaze by members of Hindutva groups in retaliation.
Photographs of the controversial signboards surfaced on social media, revealing their presence in the villages of Shivgarh, Badi Chowki, Dobra, and Garha in Jhalawar district. Each signboard carried the message: “It has been decided by the entire community that Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering this village. Jai Shri Ram.”
Zaki Khan, a local resident whose shop was among those attacked, told The Hindustan Gazette that the signboards were only removed after members of the Muslim community lodged a formal complaint with the district Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP).
“The authorities were already aware of the signboards but took no action until we filed a complaint. When the police attempted to remove them, local Hindu residents clashed with the police. After an all-day standoff, the boards were finally removed late at night,” Khan said.
He added that the protestors—numbering between 200 and 400—held demonstrations outside the local police station, demanding the return of the boards, which reportedly belonged to the Public Works Department and had been repurposed. “They eventually got the boards back and left, shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram,’” Khan said.
While the local police attempted to downplay the situation, stating that villagers themselves removed the signboards, residents alleged otherwise. “The villagers removed those boards on their own. We appeal to everyone to maintain communal harmony and respect all communities,” said a police officer.
This story was originally published in thehindustangazette.com. Read the full story here.