NEW DELHI: In an attempt to stoke communal tensions, a Hindutva worker hoisted a saffron flag alongside an Israeli flag on a mosque’s dome during a religious procession in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
This incident, which included blaring abusive songs targeting the Muslim community, has sparked outrage among Muslims across India, with many condemning the act as an attempt to incite violence and communal strife.
The accused, identified as Shivam Kumar, was seen scaling the dome of the mosque in the Tamtam Chowk area under Lalmatiya police jurisdiction. He was cheered on by a crowd waving both saffron and Israeli flags. The provocative nature of the event escalated with high-pitched DJs playing derogatory songs aimed at the Muslim community, leading to social media outcry and calls for government accountability.
The incident has heightened fears of renewed violence in Bhagalpur, a city scarred by past communal riots that killed over 1,000 people in 1989, predominantly Muslims.
The display of an Israeli flag alongside the saffron flag also raised questions about the motivations behind the incident.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of empowering communal forces under the influence of RSS and BJP.
Yadav tweeted, “With encouragement from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RSS and BJP supporters are climbing mosques and hoisting flags in Bhagalpur. Residents are now saying that due to his failing health, Shri Nitish Kumar has become even more dangerous than the RSS.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent condemnation of attacks on Hindu temples in Canada drew further criticism, with social media users calling for similar statements on incidents of communal provocation in India.
“How about condemning this? You won’t need to go to Canada—this is happening in your own backyard, in Bihar,” posted user Tarun Gautam, responding to Modi’s silence on the Bhagalpur incident.
