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{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2014 Saharanpur riots
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| map_type = India Uttar Pradesh
| map_label = Saharanpur
| map_caption = Location of riots in Saharanpur, India
| date= {{Start date|df=yes|2014|07|25}}
| place = [[Saharanpur]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.30|N|77.21|E|display=inline,title}}
| causes = Over a Small piece of Land
| fatalities = 3
| injuries = 33
}}
The '''2014 Saharanpur Riots''' occurred on 25 July 2014 in the city of [[Saharanpur]] in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in India. The riots occurred between [[Muslims]], led by Muharram Ali Pappu, and [[Sikh]]s, led by Shri Guru Singh Sabha, over a territory and religious differences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/saharanpur-land-dispute-gets-complicated/article6258429.ece|title=Saharanpur: land dispute gets complicated|first=Kavita|last=Upadhyay|date=|work=TheHindu.com|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> Three people were killed and several were injured. The ruling [[Samajwadi Party]] alleged that it was an act of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] blamed [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Saharanpur-riots-SP-faults-RSS-BJP-blames-ISI/articleshow/39142920.cms|title=Saharanpur riots: SP faults RSS, BJP blames ISI - Times of India|author=|date=|work=IndiaTimes.com|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> and the UP police allege that the riot was well planned to divide members of the two minority communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/saharanpur-clashes-pre-planned-eid-curfew-police-administration/1/374710.html|title=UP cops say Saharanpur riots were well-planned|author=|date=|work=InToday.in|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> <br/>

In February 2020, Muslims relinquished their claim to disputed Saharanpur territory as a gesture of gratitude to Sikhs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi Riots: Muslims Give up Claim to Disputed Saharanpur Land as Gesture of Gratitude to Sikhs |url=https://thewire.in/rights/sikh-muslim-land-dispute-saharanpur |website=The Wire |date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

==Cause==
The root of clashes is a land dispute between former MLA Moharram Ali aka Pappu Ali and Gurudwara Singh Sabha in Kutubsher area. The land is adjacent to the [[gurdwara]] near the railway station, of which both groups claims ownership. On 25 July, members of the gurdwara flagged off the construction to expand the gurdwara premises,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.oneindia.in/feature/riots-saharanpur-the-story-so-far-1491337.html|title=Riots in Saharanpur: The story so far|author=|date=|work=OneIndia.in|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> and clashes broke out the next day.

The gurdwara management had purchased land 15 years ago, but Pappu claims that the land belongs to the [[mosque]] and [[Waqf|Wakf]] board and there cannot be construction without their permission. A petition was filed in the civil court 10 years previously by Moharram Ali Pappu in the civil court, stating that the land belonged to the mosque. The ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' wrote on July 30, 2014, that three years ago some members of the local gurdwara committee met Pappu to settle the land row. Money was also offered to him but the deal fell through. One Abdul Wahab had challenged the gurdwara’s claim over the land and told the court he had done so at the behest of Pappu.

In May 2013, additional district judge passed an order stating that land belonged to the gurdwara.

==Clashes and security==
On 26 July, Muslims supporting Pappu came together from Saharanpur, [[Moradabad]] and [[Muzaffarnagar]], and attacked members of Gurdwara Singh Sabha using guns and swords. Members responded to them by pelting with stones. The fighting led to the death of three people (1 Hindu and 2 Muslims)<ref>https://www.milligazette.com/news/4-national/10801-saharanpur-hit-by-major-communal-riot/</ref> and left 33 injured. Shops of other Sikhs were set on fire. A curfew was imposed by the district administration and shoot-at-sight orders were given. Police arrested more than 60 people. The state transport cancelled all 569 buses which pass or terminate at Saharanpur. Forces including PAC, CRPF, RAF and ITBP are deployed in the troubled areas.

==Accusations==
The main accused, Muharram Ali Pappu, was arrested on 30 July 2014 and booked under the National Security Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/saharanpur-riots-main-accused-arrested-booked-under-nsa/489302-3-242.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731054037/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/saharanpur-riots-main-accused-arrested-booked-under-nsa/489302-3-242.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 July 2014|title=Saharanpur riots: Main accused arrested, booked under NSA|author=|date=|work=in.com|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> Pappu is a former councillor of Saharanpur Municipal Corporation and has a criminal record.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} The police have registered a case against him and 66 others and charged 75 cases against them. The three killed were identified as Sarfaraz, Arif and Harish Goojar.<ref>https://www.milligazette.com/news/4-national/10801-saharanpur-hit-by-major-communal-riot/</ref>

Moharram Ali Pappu had filed a petition in the court against the construction. Prabhjit Singh, a member of Shri Guru Singh Sabha, said that Pappu demanded 25 lakh for an out-of-court settlement, to which they did not agree.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saharanpur riots, 2014}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Riots and civil disorder in Uttar Pradesh, Religiously motivated violence in India, 2014 riots
|description=
}}

[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:2014 riots]]

2014 Saharanpur riots - Revision history

MetaBOT at 18:27, 8 July 2023