The mob vandalizes a mosque and madrassa in Pune, Maharashtra. Dozens of mosques and madrassas across the city have been targeted by the Hindu radical groups.
PUNE – Muslim homes, shops, mosques and madrassas have been damaged in Pune and elsewhere in Maharashtra in the violence by Hindu radicals across Maharashtra purportedly protesting derogatory images of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Facebook. A 24-year old techie from Sholapur was beaten to death, sparking tensions across the state.
A mosque and madrassa ‘Tanzeemul Muslimeen Darl Uloom Ashrafiya’ situated in Landewadi was damaged by the miscreants whereas prayer mats of the mosque in Bhosari were burnt down. The mob also burnt a number of copies of the Holy Quran. Five two-wheelers parked outside mosque were also set on fire. Most students studying in the adjacent madrassa somehow managed to escape, although many suffered minor injuries.
Speaking to TwoCircles.net, Maulana Aziz Siddiqui of the Madrassa Darl Uloom Ashrafiya said, “Three students have suffered leg injuries who were briefly admitted to the hospital, but most students have now gone home. But the madrassa has been severely damaged.” He added that situation in Pune is now calm but tense as no one is certain what may happen next.
The popular dargah of Hazrat Peer Shah Jalaluddin Shah Qadri which was situated in the same area was also vandalized. Nearly 500 men entered Noor Mohalla of Bhosari area with swords and petrol bombs in their hands and broke doors and windows of Muslim houses.
The prayer hall, ablution area, water tank and around 10 graves in Shahi Qabrastan Trust, Bhosari were vandalized. Five mosques in Hinjewadi area were also damaged. The imam of Aisha Mosque was beaten up brutally who is now recuperating in Inamdar Hospital. Masjid-e-Zainab and Madrassa-e-Shabnam Garib Nawaz were also damaged badly. Three other mosques in the adjacent areas were also desecrated by the rampaging mob.
One of the petrol pumps belonging to a Muslim businessman was totally destroyed. A mosque situated in Talode basti was also damaged. Muslim houses, shops and around 20 bakeries were targeted in Karve road area, Thergaon and Wakad.
A group belonging to various Muslim organizations made an emergency visit to the affected areas to assess the overall damages suffered by the community.
The damaged bakeries included Ismail bakery (Karve Nagar),Citizen Bakery (Sinhgarh road), Heena Bakery, Shabnam Bakery, Moti Bakery, Shad Bakery (Dattawadi), Sun Rise Bakery, Indian Bakery (Warje), Welcome Bakery, Sahara Bakery, Patel Bakery (Hadapsar), Supreme Bakery (Malewadi) and Unicon Bakery ( Phirsangi). The visiting group of Muslims estimated the loss of damaged bakeries alone to be more than one crore (ten million) rupees.
Senior police officer Mandhre assured the Anjuman Ittehadul Ansar that police are working to restore peace and harmony in the city and have so far arrested 116 people aging between 18 to 25 years old for the violence. –W
ith inputs from Roznama Sahara
MUSLIM HOMES, MOSQUES, MADRASSAS VANDALIZED BY MOB IN PUNE | Caravan Daily