by Nikita Jain
Navratri, the Hindu festival, includes garba, a Gujarati dance form performed during the celebration. Once a festival that brought communities together, it has now become a site of hate and exclusion for Muslims.
In a recent incident, a Jammu and Kashmir–based student studying in Madhya Pradesh was beaten up simply for joining Navratri festivities.
In a video that went viral, the student – Aftaab Hussain, enrolled at Dr. Harisingh Gour University – was seen surrounded by members of Bajrang Dal, VHP, and Hindu Jagran Manch in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. He was later taken into police custody, detained, and released on Tuesday.
The J&K Students Association condemned the attack, saying that while the authorities intervened on time, massive pressure was exerted by right-wing groups demanding strict action against the student.
“They were pressuring the authorities to register an FIR and arrest Aftaab, who is from Poonch district of J&K. But the DGP and police assessed the case on its merit and ensured that justice prevailed. Their fair and timely intervention prevented an innocent student’s life and career from being sabotaged by false allegations. However, swift and strict action must be taken against the culprits to ensure accountability and to send a clear message that targeted violence and intimidation against Jammu & Kashmir students will not be tolerated,” the Association said in its statement.
“False, defamatory, and concocted remarks have been made against Mr. Hussain by these right-wing elements, portraying him with malicious intent without any evidence. The reality is that he had been invited to the event by his friends,” wrote Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the J&K Students Association, while urging the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh, to ensure legal action against the assaulters.
The incident has drawn wide attention as similar cases continue to surface from across the country. Experts say this push for exclusion on the basis of religious identity is now being used as a method to segregate people during festivals.
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a human rights movement, wrote that Hindutva outfits are setting dangerous precedents and shifting public narratives.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.