New Delhi, August 28, 2023: In anticipation of a procession organized by Hindu groups in Haryana’s Nuh, the Nalhar Shiva temple, which had been subjected to violence during a rally on July 31, has been sealed to avert potential communal tensions.
The temple, the intended destination of the procession despite lacking permission from authorities, is under tight security. The Haryana police have enforced a 1-kilometer exclusion zone around the temple, and a significant presence of thirty Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies and drones has been deployed to monitor the situation. Notably, no members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad or Bajrang Dal have been observed in the vicinity.
Despite the Manohar Lal Khattar government’s refusal to grant permission for the procession, the organizers have stated their intent to proceed with their plan. The decision to resume the yatra was made during a ‘Sarv Jatiya Hindu Mahapanchayat’ on August 13, following its disruption due to communal clashes on July 31.
In response to the organizers’ defiance, the state government has deployed a substantial force of 1,900 police officers and 24 paramilitary companies to prevent any potential violence. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar advised individuals to opt for prayers at nearby temples instead of participating in the unauthorized procession.
The Nalhar temple, fortified with heightened security, was the endpoint of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra on July 31, which had triggered communal clashes leading to six fatalities, including two security personnel, and extensive property damage.
During the initial procession, the temple encountered attacks as rioters pelted stones and fired shots from surrounding hillocks, forcing the intervention of paramilitary forces.
In the aftermath of the clashes, approximately 400 individuals have been apprehended for their involvement. The persistent tension in Nuh and its adjacent areas necessitates heightened vigilance and security measures.
