Karnoor (Kolhapur district) incident : Muslims assault Hindu youths; carry out stone-pelting over alleged religious insult

Repeated provocations and growing boldness of religious fanatics in attacking Hindus

Kolhapur – This incident occurred in Karnoor village of Kagal taluka in the district. Citing hurt religious sentiments from a message circulated in a WhatsApp group, Muslim individuals assaulted Hindu youths and pelted stones at them. During the stone-pelting, the window of a police vehicle was also broken. A meeting held to resolve the dispute escalated into further clashes. Police have reportedly registered cases against youths from both Hindu and Muslim communities. (If a message seems offensive, democracy provides the right to demand clarification. Complaints can be filed at the police station accordingly. Instead, religious fanatics attacking Hindus with violence and stone-pelting indicates disregard for the law. Incidents of attacks on Hindus by religious fanatics are increasing under various pretexts, and the police are expected to take prompt and appropriate action to curb such events – Editor)

On the occasion of ‘Balidan Masa’, a message was circulated in a social media group of village youths. Religious fanatics took offence and responded in inappropriate language. Hindu youths who went to seek accountability were assaulted.

Upon learning of the incident, Hindus in the village gathered and approached the location where the assailants were hiding. At this time, stones were thrown at Hindus from a prayer place. Some two-wheelers standing in the square were also vandalised. Against this backdrop, police maintained a heavy presence in the village for two days, which further heightened tensions.

Dialogue between police and devout Hindus

Speaking on the matter, devout Hindu Shri Rambhau Methe said, “Devout Hindus went to submit a statement to the police administration. At that time, police officials treated the Hindu youths as offenders, asking, ‘Why did the Hindu youths circulate the message on WhatsApp?’ When informed that the police vehicle had been pelted with stones, the reply was, ‘The police will look into it.’”