New Delhi — A gruesome killing of a Hindu man by his suspected killers has increased religious tensions in Rajasthan, a western Indian state. The murder was recorded on cellphones. Authorities have banned large gatherings in the state, and they have suspended internet services throughout the state. A curfew was also imposed in Udaipur, the district where the murder occurred.
To prevent violence, additional police officers were deployed.
According to authorities, Kanhaiya, a tailor by the name of Kanhaiya, was attacked and killed in his shop Tuesday by two Muslim men. They were accused of supporting a politician who had made disparaging remarks about Islam’s Prophet Muhammad earlier in the month.
Both Mohammad Riyaz and Gos Mohammad Riyaz were accused of the attack. They have been taken into custody.
Two men entered the victim’s shop Tuesday afternoon, posing as customers. The suspects captured video of the tailor measuring one of the victims before attacking them suddenly. Police claim that the suspects attempted to decapitate the victim, but failed.
One of the suspects recorded the whole incident on his cellphone and posted it on social media. Another video was posted by the suspects in which they boast about the murder while holding meat cutters and threatening Prime Minister NarendraModi.
They claim that the act was intended to avenge insulting remarks made by Nupur Sharma about Islam’s prophet, a former member and ruling Bhartiya Janata Party of Modi (BJP), who was fired after a fierce backlash.
Sharma’s comments about Prophet Muhammed earlier in the month upset many predominantly Muslim countries, some of which registered strong formal protests to Indian officials.
The Tuesday attack victim allegedly wrote a support message for Sharma via social media earlier in the month and received threats of death. He was later released after being arrested for hurting religious sentiments.
Jashoda, his wife, said that he had skipped work several days before Tuesday due to threats to his safety.
Hawasingh Ghumaria was a senior officer in the police force and asked that the video of the murder not be broadcast by news agencies, stating “it is too grisly for you to watch.”
Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan Chief Minister, stated that the “shameful murder” was intended to spread terror and appealed for calm among residents.
The Federal Government has requested the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the murder. NIA is India’s main anti-terrorism agency.
Amit Shah, Indian Home Minister, tweeted that “the involvement of any organisation and international links will be thoroughly investigated.”
