Two Violent Attacks Allegedly Involving Muslim Mobs Reported in Gujarat Within Days of Each Other

Ditala village in Dhari Taluka, Amreli district, Gujarat, India by Emmanuel Dyan, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 | Jihad Watch

Two separate incidents of mob violence involving Hindu victims and Muslim accused, reported from different parts of Gujarat during late May and early June, have raised concerns among local Hindu communities. Police investigations are ongoing in both cases. The incidents have reignited debates over communal tensions in the state and prompted discussions regarding law and order and the protection of vulnerable communities.

In one incident, a Hindu family operating a small tea stall in Gujarat's Kheda district was allegedly attacked on June 7. The incident occurred only days after another episode of communal violence in Kutch district, where residents of a Hindu-majority village alleged that they had been targeted in a planned assault by individuals from a neighboring Muslim-majority village.

According to the complaint filed by Popatbhai, who has been running the tea stall for several years, an intoxicated man accompanied by a woman arrived at the shop around 8 p.m. seeking sugar for an allegedly unwell friend. After being allowed to take sugar from the container, the man reportedly began tearing pages from the shop's account ledger to use as wrapping paper. When Popatbhai requested him not to damage the ledger, an argument broke out.

The family alleged that the man and the woman verbally abused and physically assaulted Popatbhai and his wife. Although the pair initially left the premises, they allegedly returned shortly afterward with a group of around 10 to 12 people armed with sticks and other weapons. The mob reportedly attacked members of the family and vandalized the shop.

According to the victims, one woman among the attackers allegedly grabbed Popatbhai's wife by the throat, covered her mouth, and repeatedly slapped her. The situation escalated further when the family's son-in-law arrived at the scene and was allegedly struck on the head with a sharp weapon, causing serious injuries. He was later treated at a hospital in Nadiad and discharged, though he was still recovering from the injuries.

Family members stated that the attackers allegedly threatened to kill everyone present despite repeated pleas for mercy. Popatbhai's daughter was also injured while attempting to intervene. The family further alleged that the infant she was carrying was thrown into the air and narrowly escaped serious harm after landing on a mattress inside the shop.

Police registered an FIR against Reshmabanu Ferozsha Diwan, Razzaksha Ferozsha Diwan, Arifali Sabirali Sayed, Mustaksha Ferozsha Diwan, and Nasirsha Zhakirsha Diwan under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Four accused have reportedly been arrested, while investigations continue.

Following the attack, members of the victim's family alleged that similar acts of intimidation against Hindus in the locality had been occurring for some time. A local resident claimed that earlier this year, during Makar Sankranti, individuals living near his agricultural land deliberately threw Chinese kite strings into Hindu-owned fields. He further alleged that when he protested, he was stabbed and sustained serious injuries that required prolonged medical treatment.

The Kheda incident followed another major outbreak of violence in Raydhanpar village in Gujarat's Kutch district. According to complainant Darshan Baradiya, an altercation began on the night of May 30 between local Hindu youths and several Muslim men from neighboring Varnora village, including Salim, Abu Sufiyan, Sahil, Abbas, and Sameer.

The complaint states that after the initial dispute, the group left the area but returned shortly afterward in a Bolero vehicle along with additional individuals. Villagers alleged that the vehicle attempted to run over people gathered at the scene before crashing into a parked motorcycle.

According to the FIR, a larger mob later arrived from Varnora village on motorcycles and other vehicles, allegedly armed with sticks, iron pipes, stones, and other weapons. The complainants alleged that electricity to the village was disrupted before the attack, plunging the area into darkness.

Residents alleged that stones were thrown at houses and villagers throughout Raydhanpar, leaving several people injured, including Darshan Baradiya and Rajesh Chavda. Police personnel who arrived to control the situation were also reportedly attacked. Several police vehicles were damaged, and one officer sustained injuries.

Authorities registered an FIR against 23 named individuals and several unidentified persons, including charges related to attempted murder. Kutch West Superintendent of Police Vikas Sunda stated that approximately 23 accused were detained on the night of the incident and that further legal proceedings were underway.

With two major incidents occurring within a short span in different regions of Gujarat, concerns among sections of the Hindu community and local organizations have intensified. Investigations into both cases remain ongoing as authorities continue to collect evidence and pursue legal action against those found responsible.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)