On 31st July, an Islamist mob attacked over 4,000 Hindus in Nuh, Haryana. Hindus were on Jalabhishek Yatra on Shravan Somvar. The way the attack happened, there were signs that the events that ensued were planned well in advance. Several social media users also shared screenshots of posts from 29th July to the morning of 31st July, pointing towards possible planning behind the attacks.
During the investigation, OpIndia came across several posts on Twitter and Facebook that showed Islamists were instigating their followers to attack Jalabhishek Yatra. They claimed Gau Rakshak Monu Manesar was scheduled to join the procession. In a previous report, we showed how Islamists shared an old video of Monu Manesar claiming it was recent and that he was the reason behind the violence against Hindus.
OpIndia investigation into Islamists’ social media posts instigating violence
We came across a Facebook user Rahees Khan Rangaliya who not only published a video of Manesar on 30th July saying he [Manesar] was not afraid of coming to Mewat but also tracked the procession.
Later, Rahees published a post informing that Nuh was not far away.
In a video shared by one Shahid on Facebook, the moments when the Yatra was attacked in Mewat were shown. In the background, Shahid kept using abusive language. Here is the link to the post.
Enough evidence to prove that #Mewat riots are preplanned.
— ex. capt (@thephukdi) July 31, 2023
They even showcased their terrorist activities online.
*USE HEADPHONES* pic.twitter.com/oO1ZiGQJCa
Another Facebook user Arbaaz Khan Dahngai shared Manesar’s video and said, “Brothers, he is not afraid at all. Why is he coming when he knows [people will] peel him like an onion? Won’t you welcome him, Mewati brothers, or you forgot that you were waiting for him…”
In another post, Arbaaz claim Manesar said they would kill people in Mewat. However, there was no such statement in the video he shared.
Another Facebook user AJ Zubaid published a cryptic message saying, “If death is written in your fate, prepare to die during a battle. It is not good to die silently. Say loudly Nara-e-Takbeer Allahuakbar”. In the next post four hours later, he wrote, “Ilaka-e-Mewat starts from here”.
A Facebook user Ratti Pahat shared multiple videos against Manesar instigating his followers.
A Facebook user Aaysha Nawaj urged people to be mindful and maintain silence. At first glance, it looked like a sensible post but in reality, she had edited the post. Earlier, the post read, “The hatred gang has left Faridabad for Mewat”. She edited it and changed it to “The gang whose aim is to end brotherhood in the country has left Faridabad for Mewat”. Eventually, after 4-5 edits in 24 hours, she finalised the text urging people to maintain peace.
The Pamphlet shared a screen capture of a deleted video post by Mohd Sabir Khan. In the post, he wrote, “Monu Sonu come tomorrow; we are ready for your welcome in Mewat. You will be peeled like an onion in a way you will never be able to recover. Inshallah.” In the video, gas cylinders lined up on the road showing the preparations Islamists have made to attack the Yatra.
सूचना: इस वीडियो में अश्लील एवं भड़काऊ भाषा का प्रयोग किया गया है
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) July 31, 2023
ये वो वीडियो हैं जिन्हें VHP की शोभायात्रा से पूर्व नूंह, मेवात में शेयर किया जा रहा था। सड़क पर LPG सिलेंडर बिछाए गए हैं। #mewat #Haryana pic.twitter.com/fVCsSDwyKR
Twitter user Anshul Saxena shared a screenshot of a video where Islamists were pelting stones from the rooftop. It is evident they had gathered stones as a part pre-planned conspiracy to attack the Yatra.
1) Violence in Nuh (Mewat) was pre-planned. Stones were pelted from rooftop
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) August 1, 2023
Mohd Sabir Khan talked about Cylinder blast attack in his Facebook live video, which was shared by 324 people
He also gave instructions that how to do mob violence
Profile link: https://t.co/axd4ZwcUBe pic.twitter.com/sfclQxuj5o
Saxena shared another post by Juned Jsr Khan, who urged truck drivers from Mewat to reach on 31st July.
2) Juned Jsr Khan was inviting truck drivers from his community to come to Mewat on 31st July.
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) August 1, 2023
Profile link: https://t.co/OeemLBjbOp pic.twitter.com/pUWNvyVCw7
In a post shared by a Facebook user Juned Singer Manisha, he reminded his followers of taking revenge from Manesar.
There were over 5,000 comments on this post. Some of the comments have been added below.
Islamists used social media not only to instigate violence against Hindu processions but also to lay an elaborate groundwork in the form of holding Monu Manesar responsible for the violence that followed.