India: Hindu Tailor Murdered Amid Religious Tensions

JUN 29 2022·Updated SEP 20 2022

Story

Image credit: AFP

The Facts

On Tues., a Hindu tailor named Kanhaiya Lal was beheaded by two Muslims in a religious killing that took place in Udaipur, a district in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
BBC News
This comes amid rising tensions between Hindus and Muslims across the country after the now-suspended spokesperson for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nupur Sharma, made derogatory comments about Islam's Prophet Muhammad in May.
Al Jazeera
Lal was on bail after being arrested on June 12 under charges of "inflaming religious sentiments," and had reportedly shared a social media post in favor of Sharma's remarks.
CNN
Suspects, identified as Gaus Mohammed and Riyaz Akhtari, were arrested on Tues. evening. They filmed the beheading and posted it online, claiming responsibility for the crime and threatening PM Modi.
Independent
After protests broke out, Rajasthan's authorities imposed orders to prevent further violence. Across the state, internet access and large gatherings have been limited, and a curfew has been imposed on the 450k-people city.
France 24
Hostilities between the communities in Rajasthan - which is governed by the opposition Congress party - were also reported in May when Hindus and Muslims clashed in Jodhpur city during religious festivals.
Al Jazeera

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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

While this barbaric incident can't be justified, it comes as a reaction to Modi's regime policies. As India's democracy turns into Hindu fascism, its 200M Muslim community faces disproportionate punishments while being treated as the country's main enemy.

The Express Tribune

Pro-establishment narrative

Rajasthan is the perfect example of why the BJP is right not to appease Muslims. Policies carried out by the Congress party are turning it into a Talibani state as terrorists feel comfortable to attack Hindus and to issue threats against national authorities.

ETTelecom.com