The recent outbreak of communal violence in Haryana’s Nuh region and its ensuing spread to different parts of the state has raised serious worries about the role of social media and the government’s response to such incidents.
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Sources Related to List of Riots in India (For R&D)
- List of riots in India
- Chronology of communal violence in India
- Top 10 Deadliest Riots in India
- Hindu-Muslim Communal Riots in India I (1947-1986)
- Timeline of major communal riots in India
- Communal Riots in India: Key Incidents and Trends
- 180 died due to communal riots in India between 2014-2020
- Ten Worst Communal Riots in India
The communal violence started on July 31 in Nuh, which is a Muslim-majority district previously known as Mewat. The trigger for the conflicts was a religious procession coordinated by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which was stopped by a group of young fellows in Nuh.
There were claims of provocative posts via social media by a Bajrang Dal activist in Ballabhgarh, and reports suggesting the involvement of a cow vigilante named Monu Manesar further exacerbated the situation.
The conflicts in Nuh gushed out over to the neighboring districts, including Gurugram, bringing additional tension and chaos. On Tuesday night, a few shops and shanties were set on fire in Gurugram’s sector 70, under 20 km from the national capital, New Delhi. The situation prompted the authorities to impose prohibitory orders and suspend mobile internet services in the affected areas till August 5.
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The Haryana government’s reaction to the violence has been under scrutiny. Haryana’s Home minister Anil Vij recognized the critical role of social media in fueling the violence and announced the formation of a three-member committee to monitor social media activities from July 21 onwards.
The committee is tasked with closely examining platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp for any provocative posts and taking appropriate legal action against individuals spreading hatred or misinformation.
While the government has gone to measures to monitor and control social media, questions have been raised about its proactive approach in handling the situation before it escalated. The opposition has criticized the BJP-led Haryana government for alleged failure in maintaining law and order and called for accountability.
Social Media has turned into a powerful tool for communication and information dissemination, but it also carries the risk of misuse and manipulation.
With regards to communal violence, misinformation and hate speech can quickly spread through these platforms, exacerbating existing tensions and triggering violence. The government’s move to monitor social media is an attempt to curb the spread of misinformation and rumors that could lead to further unrest.
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Reestablishing harmony and quietness in the impacted regions presents critical difficulties. The deep-rooted communal tensions, lack of trust in law enforcement, and historical grievances create a volatile environment that requires careful handling. Also, the contribution of outsiders and elements with vested interests in perpetuating violence adds complexity to the situation.
The government should focus in on addressing the main cause of communal tensions, promoting inter-community dialogue, and ensuring swift and impartial justice for the victims. Transparency and accountability in the investigation process are crucial to rebuilding trust among the affected communities.
The ongoing circumstance requests solidarity and unity from every political parties. Rather than engaging in blame games, the focus should be on restoring peace and normalcy. Political leaders must rise above partisan interests and work together to find long-term solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
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