Conflagration In Haldwani Was Preceded By A Spate Of Demolitions & The Steady Demonisation Of Muslims
Before fury over the demolition of a mosque and madrasa In Uttarakhand’s Haldwani city on 8 February led to the death of five Muslims and injuries to about 100 police, a pressure-cooker situation had built up in the state. More than 400 Muslim shrines and properties were demolished in 2023 and attacks, Islamophobic speech—including from the chief minister—and calls for the state to be cleansed of Muslims were rife. Article 14 found riot-hit families alleging police brutality, arbitrary detentions and no idea about how to get legal help.