Internet connections were cut and a curfew was imposed following unrest between Hindus and Muslims in the state of Rajasthan.
Government authorities have imposed a curfew and cut off internet connections in an area of Jodhpur, the capital of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, following a refreshing alternation between Hindu and Muslim communities there.
Al Jazeera’s Elizabeth Puranam said there was a “massive police presence” in the Jalori Gate area, after the two groups engaged in more fighting.
Clashes began Monday during the religious festival of both communities, each wanting to raise the religious flag in the same area. Muslims are marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and Hindus are celebrating a festival called Parshuram Jayanti.
Things calmed down overnight and the Eid prayers went on Tuesday peacefully. However, clashes between Hindus and Muslims later broke out in at least five different areas of the Jalori Gate.
“Local media said at least 10 people were injured and one person was taken to hospital,” Puranam said.
“Police tried to disperse the crowd using batons and tear gas. The mob then attacked a police station and injured four officers.”
The curfew will be in place until midnight local time.
Rajasthan Minister Ashok Gehlot has sent his home secretary and senior officials to the region to ensure the violence does not escalate, Mr. Puranam added.
Anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks have skyrocketing across the country in the last month, including stoning between Hindu and Muslim groups during religious processions and later the destruction of some predominantly Muslim property by the authorities.
The Muslim community, which makes up 14% of India’s 1.4 billion population, is reeling from vilification by hardline Hindu nationalists, who have long been endorse the anti-Muslim stance.
Some leaders of India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Party in India have tacitly supported the violence, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far remained silent about it.
“Many parts of the country are thriving at the moment,” says Puranam.
Hindu leaders in the state of Maharashtra – home to India’s financial capital Mumbai – have given mosques a May 4 deadline for them to remove loudspeakers because they say the call Prayer is noise pollution, says Puranam.
“They are asking their followers to come to the mosques on Wednesdays and play Hindu songs at twice the volume of the call to prayer if the loudspeakers are not lowered,” she said.
