NEW DELHI, Sept 26: More than 100 Muslim families have fled from a Rajasthan district after right wing Hindus allegedly demolished a mosque, it was reported on Friday.

Muslims in Jhalawar district accused activists of the Bajrang Dal of attacking them and demolishing their mosque, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.

More than 30 Hindu activists have been arrested, police said, adding that the mastermind belonged to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

Muslim scholar Hafiz Safwan Alam said members of the Bajrang Dal “put a sword on my neck and forced me to take off my cap... I later heard a blast from the mosque”.

Others alleged that Hindu activists looted and burned houses belonging to Muslims, while the police did nothing. Many Muslims later packed their belongings and fled to neighbouring Madhya Pradesh state.

The administration is trying to make them return. Muslims constitute about 20 per cent of the population in the district.—dpa

Opinion

Editorial

Dangerous law
17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

OUR political leaders never seem to learn from their mistakes. The Punjab Assembly is due to vote on a new ...
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...
Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...