Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Delegation Meets Victims of Kanwar Violence in Meerut

Press Release:

New Delhi, July 28: A delegation from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, led by General Secretary Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, visited Soti Ganj, Meerut, today to meet the victims of violence perpetrated by Kanwariyas.

On Friday, a serious incident occurred in Partapur, Meerut, at the junction of Delhi-Meerut Expressway, where a group of Kanwariyas assaulted car occupants Mohammad Arshad, Mohammad Parvez, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Shahzad.

They sustained severe injuries, and their vehicle was heavily damaged. Fortunately, they managed to escape with their lives. A video of the attack has gone viral on social media, highlighting the severity of the incident. The victims are residents of Soti Ganj, Meerut.

In recent days, several incidents of violence by Kanwar pilgrims have come to light. On July 21, in Muzaffarnagar, some Kanwariyas vandalized a car and assaulted its owner. On July 22, at a petrol pump in Muzaffarnagar, Kanwariyas beat up the staff and caused damage when they objected to smoking.

On July 23, in Saharanpur, Kanwariyas attacked a motorcyclist and his companion, resulting in serious injuries and destruction of the motorcycle. On the same day in Haridwar, after a minor accident, Kanwariyas assaulted an e-rickshaw driver and damaged his vehicle.

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind delegation expressed their solidarity with the victims during their visit to Soti Ganj on Sunday morning. Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi voiced deep concern over these incidents, stating that such events are detrimental to law and order.

He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain law and order and take strict action against the troublemakers.

Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi condemned any form of communal thinking and highlighted the double standards in handling such cases. He pointed out that when disruptions occurred in Bareilly during a Muharram procession, the homes of the accused were bulldozed. In contrast, similar stringent actions are not seen in cases involving Kanwariyas.

Local residents informed the delegation that a rest area for Kanwariyas has been set up in front of Soti Ganj Mosque, where loud DJs are played, causing inconvenience to the worshippers. Additionally, only the shops of Muslims on the highway have been closed, while others remain open, creating unrest and division.

Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi directed renowned Meerut lawyer Advocate Riyazat Ali to fight the case vigorously. He assured the victims that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind would provide all possible assistance and full support in legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Shahzad and others have written a letter to Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, seeking legal assistance. They mentioned in the letter that they were identified and attacked without any fault, and the violence was so terrifying that they barely escaped with their lives.