New Delhi: A mosque in Ashok Nagar was set on fire late Tuesday afternoon. A mob shouting “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hinduon ka Hindustan” paraded around the burning mosque, and a Hanuman flag was placed on the minaret of the masjid.
In video footage that has since emerged on Twitter, one of the mob is seen climbing up the minaret with an Indian flag in his hand. He attempts to pull down a section of the minaret but does not apparently succeed.
Ashok Nagar Delhi Mosque
नफरत की इंतिहा देखो,
धार्मिक स्थल को तहस नहस कर दियाWe can see a very dark time from our country’s history being repeated. Will we let this happen?#DelhiRiots #DelhiBurning pic.twitter.com/77uXTP1fAQ
— We The People of India (@ThePeopleOfIN) February 25, 2020
Shops within and around the masjid’s compound, including a footwear shop, were looted. Locals told The Wire that the looters were not residents of the area, which is predominantly Hindu but has few Muslim families. Though there were firefighters present at the site, the police could not be seen.
At least ten people have been killed in the violence, including a head constable. In many areas, police have been accused of siding with Hindutva groups in attacking Muslims. On Tuesday, several journalists were also attacked, with mobs snatching phones and forcefully deleting videos or photos that recorded instances of arson and vandalism.