By Alishan Jafri
New Delhi: There was a palpable sense of tension in Haldwani on November 16 after local Hindus discovered parts of the carcass of a newborn calf near the Ujaleshwar temple in Banbhoolpura. The next day, social media became rife with fake news and wild claims about Muslims slaughtering the calf to humiliate Hindus.
Even as the police filed a case and attempted to calm the atmosphere, in a matter of hours, Hindutva influencers and even a local BJP leader, Vipin Pandey, called upon Hindus to give a befitting response to the supposed cow killers. “All Sanatanis unite. Don’t sleep tonight,” Pandey allegedly wrote, according to the FIR on the incident. Another Hindutva activist named Yatin Pande wrote, “They can burn the city and slaughter a cow. But if Hindus speak up that spoils the atmosphere. Wake up Hindus.”
Pandey was arrested for his inciting words on November 20, but released on bail on November 23. He has a track record of communally charged hate speech.
One influencer reportedly linked this rumoured cow slaughter to the Shama Deluxe hotel, owned by a Muslim man named Amir Hamza. He also owns the Shama restaurant, one of the oldest and most popular restaurants serving meat in the city.
Hamza told The Wire that after incitement on social media, Hindutva supporters pelted stones at his new restaurant and damaged bikes parked outside the property. Police had to resort to lathi charge to drive the mob away. Seven people were arrested and 50 others booked for rioting. Hamza praised the police for acting quickly and restraining the protestors. “I want to thank the administration for taking immediate action, but what about the loss to my property and the damage to my reputation?” he asked, demanding strict action against the influencers who provoked the violence.
CCTV footage accessed by The Wire shows a stray dog had left the remains of the calf near the temple. SP (Crime) Jagdish Chandra too has confirmed this to reporters. “Without any proof, without waiting for the investigation, they linked it to me,” said Hamza.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.