South Asia News
Three killed in clashes over mosque desecration in India
Jul 2, 2009, 12:28 GMT
New Delhi - At least three people, including a teenager, were killed in clashes Thursday between Muslims and Hindus over the desecration of a mosque in India's southern state of Karnataka, news reports said.
The trouble began in Mysore - about 140 kilometres south of the state capital, Bangalore - after a pig carcass was found near the Alima mosque, the IANS news agency reported.
Police said an angry exchange of words between members of the two communities led to the clashes.
A 47-year-old labourer who was on his way to work was caught in the melee and was stabbed to death.
Two other people, including a 15-year-old, died of stab wounds in the riot later, police said.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, which had swelled to 800.
Three people who were wounded in the clashes were treated in a state-run hospital.
'The situation is tense but under control,' state Home Minister BS Acharya told the NDTV network. 'We have already deployed additional police forces to prevent further violence.'
Relations between Hindus, who account for 80 per cent of India's billion-plus population, and Muslims, who make up 15.1 per cent and are the country's largest religious minority, have largely been peaceful in recent years, but sporadic incidents of violence have occurred.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Hindu Thugs start lots of problems in India and they do not get prosecuted.
For instance, after operation blue star, hindu thugs killed tens of thousand of Sikhs in the Delhi area.
Did these thugs get arrested? No
Did the Congress party locate these thugs? No
And recently, i was watching indian news in delhi and there was a debate on TV:
'Is there such thing as a Hindu Terrorist?'
Politicians and Hindu Brahmans phoned in and said there is no such thing because its not part of our religion...
What a joke..
page: 1
MohdemesJul 3rd, 2009 - 15:29:48
Its not surprising because Hindu supremist party BJP is in power in Karnataka state. The responsibility of maintaining law and order is in the hands of the Government. But if the govt itself is the culprit the hell breaks lose.
The muslims should have some sense as well. When a Pig carcass is thrown in a Mosque it means their antagonists want to start a communal riot. They are ready and waiting for it. Throwing a pig in a mosque has always been the traditional way of starting a riot.
Therefore prudent thing for muslims to do at this time is to ignore such incident. File a complaint with the Police and be prepared for a future incident such as this.
Three persons are now dead. One hindu and two muslims. Its a unnecessary tragedy which could have been easily avoided. Usually such riots cause a great loss of property as well. Not to mention the lost goodwill.
Its an uphill battle for the muslims in India. Hindus are allowed to form vigilante groups and armed militias. Whereas Muslims have no such rights. Every time muslims try to form a vigilante party to defend themselves they are labelled as terrorist and disbanded and the leaders thrown in jail. Often times the local Police acts in connivance with Hindu groups.
Solution - Inspite of all this there is a hope. A great many Hindus abhor injustice and communal violence. Muslims should align themselves with such Hindus. So that peace and tranquility remains in the land. At the same time muslims should learn to control their emotions and anger even if its justified. Patience is an underrated virtue.
Three persons now lie dead in the city morgue. Who wants to take the news to their mothers and fathers.
Last but not the least one should pray to the Almighty God for justice and peace.
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