“ATMOSPHERE OF HATRED”
Critics nonetheless accuse the BJP’s refined social media equipment of additionally fanning the flames of division.
Haldwani neighborhood chief Islam Hussain mentioned tensions have been already excessive earlier than February’s violence, after months of incendiary social media posts calling Muslims “outsiders”.
“It was said that due to the increasing population of Muslims, the social demography of Uttarakhand is changing”, Hussein mentioned.
“Right-wing social media cells have a big role in creating an atmosphere of hatred against Muslims.”
Clashes erupted after the authorities mentioned a mosque had been constructed illegally, and a Muslim group gathered to forestall its demolition.
Some hurled stones at law enforcement officials, who beat them again with batons and tear gasoline.
Hindu residents gathered to cheer on the police clampdown, chanting non secular slogans and throwing rocks on the crowd.
Footage of the riots unfold swiftly on social media.
Egged on by on-line calls to mobilise, Hindu mobs rampaged via the streets.
“It’s time to teach them a lesson,” learn the caption to certainly one of dozens of inflammatory posts, a lot of which stay on-line.
“The time has come to beat Muslims.”
Qureshi mentioned his brother Faheem, 32, was killed by Hindu neighbours after they first torched his automotive.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/online-hate-sows-muslim-fears-india-votes-4241776
