Ajay Kumar at 07:08, 24 August 2023

2023-08-24T07:08:15Z

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{{Short description|Communal riot in West Bengal in 2017}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2017 Baduria riots
| image =
| caption =
| date = 2 July 2017
| place = [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|22.66|N|88.89|E|display=inline,title}}
| causes = Facebook post by an 11 Class student
| goals =
| methods = [[Protesting]], [[rioting]], [[rock throwing]], [[looting]], [[arson]], [[mobbing]]
| status =
| result =
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 =
| leadfigures3 =
| howmany1 =
| howmany2 =
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| casualties3 =
| injuries = 23<ref>{{cite news|title=Fresh Violence In West Bengal's Basirhat After Police Lathicharge, Several Injured: 10 Updates|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bengals-basirhat-tense-after-police-lathicharge-several-injured-10-updates-1721517|work=NDTV.com}}</ref>
| fatalities = 1<ref>{{cite news|title=Bengal violence over FB post: Man dies of stab wounds, clashes erupt in Basirhat|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/hindu-man-dies-in-west-bengal-violence-clashes-erupt-in-basirhat-again/story-O1j8VjMqPCdgSdCYQRyVVJ.html|work=hindustantimes|date=6 July 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=West Bengal riots: Politicians stopped from visiting Basirhat slam TMC govt - News Nation|url=http://www.newsnation.in/india-news/west-bengal-riots-politicians-stopped-from-visiting-basirhat-slam-tmc-govt-article-176361.html|date=8 July 2017}}</ref>
| arrests = 71<ref>{{cite news|title=West Bengal communal riots: Situation in Basirhat under control and normal, says Mamata Banerjee govt|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/west-bengal-communal-riots-situation-in-basirhat-under-control-and-normal-says-mamata-banerjee-govt-3840847.html|work=firstpost.com}}</ref>
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined =
| casualties_label =
| notes =
| map_type =India West Bengal
| map_label = Basirhat subdivision
| map_caption = Location of the riots in West Bengal, India
| sidebox =
}}

Baduria riot refers to incidents of communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in the [[Baduria]] town in [[Basirhat subdivision]] of the [[North 24 Parganas district]] of [[West Bengal]] state of [[India]].

==Background==

Tensions started rising after a social media post on [[Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]] and [[Kaaba]] by a 17-year-old student on 2 July 2017. The images were seen as objectionable and went [[Viral phenomenon#History of content sharing|viral]] in [[Baduria (community development block)|Baduria]]. He was later arrested.<ref>{{cite news|title=FB post, communal violence leave West Bengal town divided, scarred|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/fb-post-communal-violence-leave-west-bengal-town-divided-scarred-4737945/|accessdate=11 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> It is claimed that this violence was an outcome of local outrage of the Muslim groups, but according to some news sources and local media, villagers of Baduria, Basirhat and of its neighborhood claimed the rioters were outsiders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/basirhat-ground-report-residents-of-violence-torn-region-negotiate-new-communal-faultlines-3799785.html|title=Basirhat: Media's overblown reports belie deep Hindu-Muslim amity in violence-torn West Bengal region|date=2017-07-13|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40553993|title=What is behind the religious violence in India's West Bengal?|date=2017-07-11|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanpost.in/in-heart-of-bengals-communal-unrest-villagers-blame-outsiders/|title=In Heart Of Bengal's Communal Unrest, Villagers Blame 'Outsiders' - The Deccan Post|date=2017-07-08|work=The Deccan Post|access-date=2017-07-13}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianfolk.com/fake-news-real-violence/|title=Fake News And Real Violence|work=indianfolk.com|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-date=2017-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718093455/http://indianfolk.com/fake-news-real-violence/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/the-biggest-stories-of-july-09-2017/vp-BBE4fre|title=The Biggest Stories of July 09, 2017|website=www.msn.com|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://cms.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jul/05/a-boys-blasphemy-triggers-communal-tinderbox-on-the-border-1624750.html|title=A boy's blasphemy triggers communal tinderbox on the border|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref>

==Riots==

Following the post made on 2 July by the school boy, a mob of an estimated 5,000 people blockaded the Baduria police station, demanding that the accused be brought before the crowd. The post also resulted in an arson attack on the accused's house. He was arrested on the evening of 3 July 2017.<ref name=leaders>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-violence-basirhat-s-muslim-leaders-tried-to-pacify-the-rioting-mob-but-couldn-t/story-8O6XTqN3yhsvKlfYSDK2aK.html|title=Bengal violence: Basirhat's Muslim leaders tried to pacify the rioting mob, but couldn't|work=Hindustan times|access-date=2017-07-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jul/04/facebook-post-snowballs-into-communal-flare-up-in-bengal-1624176.html|title=Facebook post snowballs into communal flare-up in Bengal|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/metros/kolkata/050717/baduria-turns-into-battlefield-over-fb-post.html|title=Baduria turns into battlefield over FB post|work=The Asian Age|access-date=2017-07-11}}</ref>

The Baduria police station was attacked and set ablaze along with several police vehicles on the night of 3 July.<ref>{{cite news|title=Baduria violence: MHA seeks reports from WB Govt.|url=http://www.abplive.in/india-news/baduria-violence-mha-seeks-reports-from-wb-govt-548006?ani|accessdate=6 July 2017|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Baduria communal clashes LIVE Updates: Army deployed in North 24 Parganas after police vehicles, shops set on fire in Basirhat of West Bengal|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/baduria-basirhat-west-bengal-riots-live-updates-communal-clashes-mamata-banerjee-trinamool-congress-bjp-alleges-2000-muslims-attacked-hindu-families/749764/|work=The Financial Express|date=5 July 2017}}</ref> A violent mob put up road blockades at several places and attacked members of other community, besides destroying many shops.<ref>{{cite news|title=Communal clashes in West Bengal, state government rushes paramilitary troops - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/communal-clashes-in-west-bengal-state-government-rushes-paramilitary-troops/articleshow/59445515.cms|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Violence in Bengal over FB post; Mamata alleges Governor threat|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mob-goes-on-rampage-in-bengal-over-blasphemous-fb-post-mamata-alleges-governor-threat/story-iLlMCJgdwcbHycmlwRJS0O.html|date=4 July 2017|language=en}}</ref>

Muslim mobs set upon shops and houses belonging to Hindus in Baduria, [[Swarupnagar (community development block)|Swarupnagar]] and [[Taki (India)|Taki]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Violence in Bengal over FB post; Mamata alleges Governor threat
|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mob-goes-on-rampage-in-bengal-over-blasphemous-fb-post-mamata-alleges-governor-threat/story-iLlMCJgdwcbHycmlwRJS0O.html|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> [[Rath Yatra]]s at several places were attacked.<ref name=leaders/> Violent clashes were triggered between the two communities of Basirhat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Violence in Bengal over FB post; Mamata alleges Governor threat|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/baduria-clashes-rajnath-singh-apprised-of-situation-seeks-reports-from-west-bengal-govt-4736586/|work=Indian Express}}</ref> The [[Government of India|Union government]] deployed four [[Border Security Force]] (BSF) companies containing a total of 400 personnel to check the violence in the region. [[Unlawful assembly#India|Section 144]] was imposed while the internet services were suspended.<ref>{{cite news|title=WB: Section 144 imposed in Basirhat post violent clashes over Facebook post|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/050717/wb-section-144-imposed-in-basirhat-post-violent-clashes-over-facebook-post.html|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> In retaliatory attacks on 6 July, Hindu mobs attacked a [[dargah]] and vandalised shops and houses in addition to clashing with the police. The office of a local TMC leader also comes under attack. On July 7, several Hindu temples were attacked by a Muslim mob of about 70-90 people. They also allegedly attacked and harassed Hindu families.<ref>{{cite news|title=Baduria communal clashes: Rajnath Singh seeks report from West Bengal govt|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-violence-over-fb-post-basirhat-peaceful-blockades-lifted-after-meeting-between-police-locals/story-c4xyOMzHMYZIWMxGMlvd9H.html|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

About 25 people including 20 policemen were reported to have been injured in the violence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/social-media-posts-trigger-seven-communal-riots-in-a-month-in-west-bengal/articleshow/59496771.cms|title=Social media posts trigger seven communal riots in month in West Bengal|work=The Asian Age|access-date=2017-07-11}}</ref> The house and party office of a local [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]] MLA Dipendu Biswas was also set on fire by the rioters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jul/07/west-bengal-women-at-forefront-of-basirhat-violence-1625577.html|title=West Bengal: Women at forefront of Basirhat violence|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-date=2017-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711114317/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jul/07/west-bengal-women-at-forefront-of-basirhat-violence-1625577.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A 65 year old died after being stabbed by the rioter mobs in the clashes while trying to return home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.india.com/bengali/west-bengal/baduria-tension-kartik-ghosh-death-kartik-ghoshs-son-saved-a-minority-man/|title = Bengali News, Latest Bangla News, 24 Ghanta Bangla Khabar, বাংলা খবর, Breaking Bangla Khobor | Zee 24 Ghanta}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/hindu-man-dies-in-west-bengal-violence-clashes-erupt-in-basirhat-again/story-O1j8VjMqPCdgSdCYQRyVVJ.html|title=Bengal violence over FB post: Man dies of stab wounds, clashes erupt in Basirhat|access-date=2017-07-11}}</ref>

==Fake news and provocative statements ==

Vijeta Malik who is reported to be the Haryana State Executive Member of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] allegedly posted a well-known scene of a Bhojpuri movie ''[[Aurat Khilona Nahi]]'' and cited it as an incident in [[Baduria (community development block)|Baduaria]] clashes where Hindu women were severely abused and the crowd just watched.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-haryana-vijeta-malik-manoj-tiwari-bhojpuri-film/1/996428.html|title=Fake alert: BJPs Vijeta Malik posts image from Bhojpuri film to show plight of Hindus in West Bengal|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/bjp-leader-posts-scene-from-bhojpuri-film-says-this-is-plight-of-hindus-in-west-bengal-3789423.html|title=BJP leader posts scene from Bhojpuri film, says this is 'plight of Hindus' in West Bengal|date=2017-07-08|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bjp-haryana-leader-vijeta-malik-shares-bhopuri-movie-still-to-show-plight-of-hindus-in-west-bengal-2495403|title=BJP Haryana leader Vijeta Malik shares Bhojpuri movie still to show 'plight of Hindus' in West Bengal {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2017-07-07|work=dna|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref> This fake news went viral. Despite several appeals from Kolkata and West Bengal Police,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-no-fake-news-please-kolkata-police-arrest-rumour-monger-who-morphed-bhojpuri-film-to-spread-hate-2495917|title=No fake news please: Kolkata Police arrest rumour monger who morphed Bhojpuri film scene to spread hate {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2017-07-08|work=dna|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/621476/riot-hit-basirhat-tense-control.html|title=Riot-hit Basirhat tense but under control: Official|website=Deccan Herald|date=7 July 2017|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref> sharing of fake news continued and tensions were exacerbated.

===Involvement of BJP leaders===
One [[Kolkata]]-based citizen [[Bhabotosh Chatterjee]] was arrested for sharing fake news and spreading communal hatred over the internet,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-communal-violence-one-arrested-for-sharing-fake-image-and-inciting-passion-4742488/|title=West Bengal communal riots: One arrested for sharing fake image, inciting violence|date=2017-07-09|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref> and another three were held for spreading fake news via multiple social media profiles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/arrested-trio-have-many-online-profiles/articleshow/59520571.cms|title=Arrested trio have many online profiles - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref> In July, two [[First information report|FIRs]] were lodged against a Delhi-based [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader Nupur Sharma for sharing fake news<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bjp-leader-booked-for-fake-posts/article19253382.ece|title=BJP leader booked for fake posts|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bjp-leader-booked-for-sharing-fake-pictures-of-baduria-clashes-4744894/|title=BJP leader booked for 'sharing fake pictures of Baduria clashes'|date=2017-07-11|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref> while the BJP IT cell secretary Tarun Sengupta was arrested in [[Asansol]] for posting ‘fake’ video on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/bjp-it-cell-secretary-arrested-in-asansol-for-posting-fake-video-on-social-media/story-GSLBmA1746fQlk5YupJrgI.html|title=BJP IT cell secy held in Asansol for posting 'fake' video on social media|date=2017-07-12|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookhindi.com/country/state/bjp-leader-arrest-who-use-fake-scene-from-bhojpuri-film-18788|title=भोजपुरी फिल्म के सीन को बताया बंगाल की हिंसा, आरोपी भाजपा नेता गिरफ्तार|work=outlookhindi.com/|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref> BJP MLA [[T. Raja Singh Lodh]] made a statement asking Hindus to respond "as they did in Gujarat, to prevent Bengal from becoming Bangladesh, or face being banished as they were from Kashmir".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/090717/hindus-in-wb-should-respond-as-they-did-in-gujarat-bjp-mla-on-basirhat-riots.html|title=Basirhat riots: BJP MLA asks Hindus in WB to respond as they did in Gujarat|date=2017-07-09|work=www.deccanchronicle.com|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-mla-bengal-basirhat-hindus-muslims-hate-speech-raja-singh/1/997576.html|title=Basirhat violence: BJP MLA from Hyderabad wants Hindus to strike back|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-communal-clashes-mamta-banerjee-bjp-mla-raja-singh-asks-hindus-to-respond-similar-to-2002-gujarat-riots-4742537/|title=West Bengal communal clashes: BJP MLA Raja Singh asks Hindus to respond like they did in Gujarat|date=2017-07-09|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref> The West Bengal Government ordered a judiciary inquiry on the fake news propaganda and the causes of the Baduria incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jul/08/west-bengal-riots-cm-mamata-announces-judicial-probe-attacks-bjp-1625981.html|title=West Bengal riots: CM Mamata announces judicial probe, attacks BJP|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-17|archive-date=2017-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710035244/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jul/08/west-bengal-riots-cm-mamata-announces-judicial-probe-attacks-bjp-1625981.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170708/jsp/frontpage/story_160855.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041025/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170708/jsp/frontpage/story_160855.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2017|title=Bengal to order judicial inquiry into Baduria-Basirhat incident: Mamata|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2017-07-17}}</ref> While responding to a [[Public interest litigation in India|PIL]] filed in the Calcutta High Court, the State stated that around 71 people had been arrested and a total of 86 cases had been registered with the police in this matter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/west-bengal-communal-riots-situation-in-basirhat-under-control-and-normal-says-mamata-banerjee-govt-3840847.html|title=West Bengal communal riots: Situation in Basirhat under control and normal, says Mamata Banerjee govt|access-date=2017-07-24}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Riots in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baduria riots}}
[[Category:2017 murders in India]]
[[Category:2017 riots]]
[[Category:Crime in West Bengal]]
[[Category:2010s in West Bengal]]
[[Category:July 2017 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:July 2017 events in India]]
[[Category:North 24 Parganas district]]
[[Category:Politico-Religious violence in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Religious riots]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Anti-Muslim violence in India]]
[[Category:Persecution of Hindus]]

2017 Baduria riots - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 07:08, 24 August 2023