Monu Manesar did not show up. He told The Indian Express that leaders from VHP and Bajrang Dal had asked him to skip the yatra.
Behind the Haryana police’s decision to grant permission for Monday’s Brijmandal Jala-bhishek Yatra in Haryana’s Nuh. Despite simmering tensions after two men were killed in Bhiwani in Feb, was the assurance that weapons would not feature in the procession.
However, once a series of messages and videos on social media and messaging apps started doing the rounds, tempers began to flare.
Among the videos was one by self-proclaimed cow vigilante Mohit Yadav, better known as Monu Manesar, saying he would participate in the yatra. “I, Monu, an accused in the murders of Junaid and Nasir in Bhiwani, said in a video posted as my WhatsApp status on July 29, that I will be in the yatra in person, and my whole team will also be present.”
A meeting on July 27 included Nuh police, district officials, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, and locals. Deputy Commissioner Prashant Panwar emphasized no weapons during the yatra.
“The yatra has been held for three years now we flagged that use of weapons was what we stood against,” said Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind member Maulana Yahiya Kareemi.
When Monu posted his video, the mood in the area changed. “Monu is accused of killing Junaid and Nasir.” He says he is coming to Mewat as if it means nothing,” said Mufti Salim Sakras, another Jamiat member, adding that it angered residents.
Bajrang Dal members defended Monu’s video, questioning why it angers people. Yatra is for the Hindu community, said Amit Hindu, a Gurgaon Bajrang Dal member.
With 17 FIRs registered and over 100 detained, Nuh Police are conducting an expansive probe. “Locals also had guns, sticks and swords. “Narender Bijarnia, SP Bhiwani, said, “We are reviewing gun licenses in the region, and we will take action accordingly”.
Source: The Indian Express
