• By Nidhi Giri
  • Sun, 21 Jul 2024 06:24 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The Haryana government has ordered the suspension of mobile internet and the bulk SMS services in Nuh district for 24 hours ahead of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra. The move comes amid concerns stemming from last year’s communal violence during a similar event. The mobile internet and the bulk SMS services will remain suspended from 6 pm Sunday, July 21 to 6 pm Monday, July 22.

"... there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquility in the district Nuh..," Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Anurag Rastogi said in an order.

The suspension order has been released "to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours" through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

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The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal announced to conduct a religious procession in Nuh district on July 22.

Anurag Kulshrestha, VHP Haryana social media head, stated that this year's yatra is being organised with men from 22 districts, emphasising it as a "purely religious and non-political" event. "Sadhus will lead the procession, focusing on the spiritual significance and ensuring it remains peaceful and devotional," Kulshrestha said, reported Hindustan Times.

The VHP member stated that they expect at least 15,000 participants and assured that the event will be conducted in a non-political manner, highlighting religious and cultural traditions. Participants will gather at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram before proceeding to the Nalhar Mahadev temple, he said.

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Last year a similar religious procession, aimed to "revive holy Hindu sites" in Nuh, led to communal violence in the district. On July 31, 2023, communal violence erupted in Nalhar village during the procession, resulting in six deaths and 88 injuries.

The violence, which spread to other parts of Haryana including Gurugram, was reportedly triggered by provocative videos from cow vigilantes Mohit Yadav alias Monu Manesar and Raj Kumar (Bittu Bajrangi) in Nuh district where Muslims make up 79.2 per cent of the population according to the 2011 Census.