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"In an era of 'fake news' the role of trained and professional journalists has never been more important": Kheda violence: Eyewitness recall Congress leader Arif Sheikh leading Muslim mob that stone-pelted Navratri Garba event and now playing victim card
In an exclusive report on the Kheda violence wherein a mob belonging to a particular community allegedly pelted stones at people attending the Garba event, an eyewitness of the violence claimed that a local Congress leader Arif Sheikh who fought an election on the ticket of the party in 2021, was one of the stone pelters.
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Speaking exclusively to Republic, one of the eyewitnesses of the violence that erupted in Gujarat's Kheda said, "We were playing Garba. Some of the people were clicking pictures of the women. Sarpanch called the police and told them about it." Adding further he said that the people who were clicking the pictures of women were then moved away. "Those people then sat on a verandah and then started touching women with their legs. They were made to move from there also... But after 10 minutes, they started pelting stones," he said.
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Narrating the ordeal, the eyewitness said that Arif Sheikh who fought a civic body election on Congress' ticket in 2021 was present at the spot and was one of the stone pelters. "Arif Sheikh fought the election in 2021 on the ticket of Congress, but the BJP candidate won," the eyewitness told Republic. He later accused Sheikh of instigating youths. "He has a first hand in instigating youths… Arif and others were sitting with me. They went away and within 5 minutes the riots started," he said.
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When asked about the presence of Arif in the Kheda violence, the eyewitness said, "Yes. Arif along with others was pelting stones." Adding further, he said that he has recorded his statement regarding the presence of Arif in the Kheda violence.
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The Background of the Incident
On Monday (October 3) night, a menacing mob of 150 Islamists laid siege on a Navratri Garba event in Undhela village in the Kheda district of Gujarat.
As per reports, they pelted stones at a Hindu temple, which hosted the event on its premises. Islamists had earlier objected to the conduct of the Hindu religious event by the village sarpanch (Head) under the pretext that a mosque was in the vicinity of the temple.
When the Hindu devotees refused to give in to their demands and went ahead with the Navratri Garba programme, the mob of Islamists came to disrupt the event.
While a total of 43 people were named in the case, only about 14 people could be detained by the police. They were brought back to the village on Tuesday (October 4) and allegedly caned by police personnel for pelting stones at the temple. The accused were also asked to apologise to the public.
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Deputy Superintendent of Police VR Bajpai informed, “Police detained 13 persons after the FIR was registered at Matar police station. The village sarpanch (head) had organised Garba at a temple. A mob from the Muslim community tried to stop it from taking place.”
As per local media reports, stones were pelted at those who were celebrating Navratri in Undhera village of Maatar taluka of Kheda district. About 6-7 people were injured and were taken to hospital. Two police officials were also injured in the stone pelting. Police have increased security in the village.
The report states that during Navratri celebrations, Arif and Zahir led a mob and created a ruckus during Navratri celebration. The leaders of the village tried to broker peace but the mob did not back off. They returned and started pelting stones. Local residents of the village said they asked the Navratri celebrations to be called off in the area and said that the Navratri could not be celebrated there.
Earlier last week it was reported how a Muslim teacher in Kheda had made students beat their chests and chant ‘Ya Hussein’ in Muharram-style mourning instead of performing Garba during the Navratri celebration. There have also been reports where Muslim men have tried to enter the Navratri venue under fake names. Reports have also emerged where in some areas local Muslims have opposed the celebration of Navratri.
A video of the incident has now gone viral on social media. Islamists and their sympathisers quickly hopped on the opportunity to cast aspersions on law enforcement authorities.
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