Eid in Aligarh: How a Festival Turned into Mourning
For Zakia Wali, Eid will never be the same after her brother, Mohammad Fareed, was lynched in Aligarh. Unable to give him a proper burial, Eid now serves as a reminder of the horrific incident.
Fareed, a tandoori roti maker, was attacked by a mob of Hindu hardliners on his way home after Eid. Despite police investigations, the motive behind the killing remains unclear.
Attacks on Muslims have increased in India, with recent anti-Muslim violence spreading fear and insecurity among the minority community.
Defending the Unthinkable
Despite arrests made in connection to Fareed’s lynching, the BJP and far-right groups held protests demanding the release of the accused. The town of Aligarh faced unrest and tension.
As anti-Muslim sentiments rise across India, Muslims feel marginalized and unsafe even within their communities.
Opposition’s Silence
Opposition leaders’ silence on attacks against Muslims has left the community feeling abandoned. The lack of intervention from political figures has increased insecurity.
Recent incidents of violence in different states, irrespective of political governance, reflect a unified message of Hindu majoritarian supremacy.