By Team Clarion

NEW DELHI/ KAUSAMBI — Tension has continued in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district after members of the Bajrang Dal were accused of entering the mazar of Syed Salar Ghazi in Shahzadpur village and allegedly vandalising the premises and assaulting devotees. However, instead of registering a case against those accused of the attack, police have booked four caretakers of the shrine, leading to anger among members of the Muslim community.

The incident reportedly took place on 9 July in the Kokhraj police station area of Kaushambi district. According to locals and mazar management members, around 25 to 30 Bajrang Dal activists entered the premises and created a disturbance. They allegedly damaged property and assaulted caretakers and people who had come for prayers.

The incident created tension in the area, following which a large police force was deployed as a precautionary measure to prevent any further conflict.

Bajrang Dal members reportedly alleged that many Hindu women visited the shrine and claimed that they were being involved in religious conversion activities there. They also accused the mazar authorities of promoting what they called “love jihad”. However, these allegations have been rejected by local Muslims, who have demanded an investigation based on evidence.

Instead of acting against those accused of entering the mazar and allegedly attacking people, police have registered an FIR against four caretakers of the shrine following a complaint filed by Bajrang Dal member Chandan Kumar.

The complaint alleges that visitors were given intoxicating water in the name of traditional healing practices and were encouraged to change their religion to solve their personal problems. Based on these allegations, the police registered a case against the four caretakers and started further investigation.

The police action has caused strong resentment among members of the Muslim community, who say the authorities have taken one-sided action.

Locals questioned why those accused of damaging the mazar and assaulting people were not booked, while the caretakers of the religious site were made the accused in the case.

A local community member said: “Action should have been taken against those who entered the shrine and created violence. Instead, the caretakers have been made the accused. This raises serious questions about whether the investigation is being conducted fairly.”

This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.