One Year After Nuh Violence: Allegations of Police Brutality and Community Targeting Continue to Haunt Local Muslims

"When the state acts unjustly, every soul of good conscience must rise in protest." -Mahatma Gandhi

Of 441 arrests till June 2024, 427 were of Muslims and 14 of Hindus. Those out on bail find it tough to resume work.

In July 2023, Nuh district in Haryana, India, was engulfed in violence during the annual 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra.' One year later, a report by the People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) reveals troubling allegations of state repression, police brutality, and the targeted persecution of the Muslim community in Nuh. The report, titled "In the Wake of Nuh: A Report on State Repression," sheds light on the long-lasting impact of the violence and the ongoing struggles faced by those affected.

The Nuh Violence of July 2023

The violence in Nuh broke out on 31 July 2023, during the annual religious procession known as the 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra.' Clashes between different communities led to widespread chaos and destruction. The aftermath of the violence saw a heavy-handed response from the authorities, with numerous arrests, demolitions, and reports of police misconduct.

A Year Later: The Findings of the PUDR Report

The PUDR conducted a series of fact-finding missions in Nuh and its surrounding areas between August 2023 and June 2024. Their report, released recently, presents a grim picture of the situation in Nuh, where the Muslim community has borne the brunt of the state’s response to the violence. The Quint

Mass Arrests and Community Targeting

One of the most alarming revelations in the PUDR report is the disproportionate targeting of the Muslim community in the aftermath of the violence. Of the 441 arrests made until June 2024, a staggering 427 were of Muslims, with only 14 arrests of Hindus. The report highlights that out of the 46 FIRs filed related to the violence, 45 were against known or unknown Muslim men, including minors. The Quint

The Struggles of Those Out on Bail

Although many arrested individuals have since been released on bail, their lives have been irrevocably changed. The PUDR report details how those released face immense difficulties resuming their work and daily lives. Day-long court appearances and the stigma associated with their arrests have made it nearly impossible for them to find or return to regular employment. Many come from impoverished backgrounds, making it challenging to furnish bail bonds, and they now find themselves trapped in a cycle of legal and financial hardship.

Police Brutality and Allegations of Torture

The PUDR report also brings to light disturbing allegations of police brutality. There are multiple testimonies of physical torture under the guise of interrogation, with some victims describing being stripped, beaten, and subjected to the infamous 'roller treatment'—a third-degree torture method involving the use of an iron roller to inflict excruciating pain on the thighs and genitals. The Quint

One particularly harrowing account from the report describes an individual who was subjected to the roller treatment seven times in one day, causing him to faint from the pain. The PUDR notes that such methods leave no visible marks, making it difficult for medical examinations to confirm the torture, thereby allowing the authorities to escape accountability.

Inhumane Conditions in Custody

The conditions in which the arrestees were held are another cause for concern. The report describes overcrowded, unsanitary lock-up rooms where as many as 20 to 22 individuals were crammed together. Beyond the physical torture, the report highlights the mental anguish inflicted on the detainees, with communal slurs and threats being a common occurrence. In one instance, a detainee recounted being forced to chant religious slogans against his will. The Quint

Allegations of Arbitrary Arrests and False Charges

The PUDR report accuses the police of conducting arbitrary arrests based on flimsy evidence, such as unclear video footage and cell phone location data. This approach, the report argues, violates constitutional guidelines for arrests, as laid out by the Supreme Court in the DK Basu judgment (1997). In many cases, neither the arrestees nor their families were properly informed of the grounds for arrest, and families often only learned of the detentions after their relatives were produced in court.

The Case of Jabbar Khan: A Death in Custody

The report also touches on the controversial death of Jabbar Khan, a 52-year-old man who died in police custody. While the police maintain that he died of shock, locals allege that his death was a result of police brutality. The report suggests that Khan’s sons were pressured into silence by threats of false charges. The Quint

Targeting the Vulnerable: The Case of Asif

The report highlights the case of Asif, a man with a 75% orthopedic impairment, who was allegedly abused, beaten, and arrested by the police based solely on his phone's location data. Despite his disability, Asif was not spared from the physical and mental abuse reportedly meted out to other detainees.

Demolitions Without Due Process

In addition to the arrests, the report details how over 1,200 houses, shops, and vending stalls, predominantly belonging to Muslims, were demolished in 11 towns and villages without adequate notice. The PUDR asserts that these demolitions were part of a broader pattern of collective punishment meted out to the Muslim community in the area.

The Role of Communal Bias in Law Enforcement

The PUDR report raises serious concerns about communal bias in the police force. It notes that while Muslims were disproportionately targeted for arrest and torture, no FIRs were filed against Hindu participants in the Yatra, except one individual, Bittu Bajrangi. The report argues that this selective application of the law points to an underlying communal bias within law enforcement agencies. The Quint

Introduction of UAPA: A New Layer of Repression

In January-February 2024, several months after the violence, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked in some of the cases related to the Nuh violence. The addition of UAPA charges, particularly sections 10 and 11, has complicated the legal battles for those accused, as the mere invocation of national security laws can influence bail decisions, even if these sections do not carry the stringent bail restrictions associated with terror offenses.

The Case of Congress Leader Mamman Khan

One of the most high-profile cases related to the Nuh violence involves Congress leader Mamman Khan. Accused in FIR 149/2023, Khan was granted bail in October 2023. However, UAPA charges were added later, based on his social media posts criticizing the police and demanding justice for previous communal murders. The police allege that Khan is the 'chief conspirator' of the Nuh violence, but the court has questioned the lack of concrete evidence supporting these charges. The Quint

The Impact of Multiple Charges on the Accused

The PUDR report underscores the severe impact of multiple charges on the accused and their families. In many cases, families have had to provide separate sureties for each bail application, with some sureties amounting to as much as ₹50,000. This financial burden has forced many to rely on relatives, neighbors, and friends to cover the costs, highlighting the immense personal and communal toll of the ongoing legal battles.

The High Cost of Freedom

The PUDR report paints a bleak picture of the situation in Nuh, where the aftermath of the 2023 violence continues to haunt the local Muslim community. The disproportionate arrests, allegations of torture, and the selective application of the law raise serious questions about the state’s role in perpetuating communal bias and repression. As the report states, "the costs of freedom from custody have been very high," not just in monetary terms, but in the lasting impact on the lives and livelihoods of those affected. The Quint

Regards

Sahil Reshi

📬 Subscribe to Pages Journal!

🔗 Subscribe now: Pages Journal

Stay informed. Stay inspired. Stay ahead with Pages Journal. 📖✍️

"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members." – Mahatma Gandhi