Recent violence in Haryana's Nuh and Manipur has raised doubt on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'double engine' governance model claim. The former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satyapal Malik, claims the violence was planned to sow strife among different religious groups. At least eight people were killed in violence in Manipur over a land dispute, and opposition parties have accused the BJP administration of mishandling the matter. These events sabotage the BJP's reputation for keeping the peace and upholding the law in its controlled states.

Former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik has shed light on recent violent incidents in Nuh, Haryana, and other parts of the state, showing that they were not accidental but relatively well-planned with the malign intent of sowing sectarian discord. Since the liberation of India, the Jats and Muslims have not previously engaged in conflict in this manner, so Malik is understandably concerned. He said these fights were even more confusing because the Jats and Muslims in the area did not share the same religious dedication. He warned that if these violent activities continue, the country might experience instability similar to Manipur's.

At a summit on "national security affairs" convened against this backdrop of violence by six social activist groups, two essential resolutions were agreed upon. The first resolution demanded that the government provide its findings about the Pulwama attack and the actions that were taken, including a white paper outlining any shortcomings and the repercussions that occurred as a result. Worries about potential attacks, particularly on the soon-to-be-completed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and other significant temples in India, prompted the second resolution, which called for improved protection at major pilgrim sites. The activists emphasized the significance of taking the recent accusation that Al-Qaeda had threatened to attack the Ram Mandir seriously.

In order to address the underlying reasons for the escalating community tensions, this is a highly alarming trend that requires prompt action from the relevant authorities. Maintaining social cohesiveness in the country depends on security at religious sites and openness in the aftermath of painful events like the Pulwama attack.

The sectarian violence in Nuh, Haryana, and its neighboring regions in August 2023 was intended to divide the Hindu and Muslim populations. He warned that the nation might end up in a scenario like Manipur, where ethnic clashes have resulted in several deaths if the perpetrators are not stopped. Malik further claimed that the upheaval in Manipur, where the BJP-led government has been accused of mishandling a land issue between two groups, was part of a political plot to polarize voters ahead of the 24th general election.

On August 4, 2023, a conflict between Hindu worshippers attending a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) parade and Muslim residents near Khedla Mod in Nuh sparked unrest in Haryana. The VHP parade allegedly carried knives and sticks, and the Muslims stopped them because they did not want their route to go through their area. The confrontation escalated into stone-throwing and arson, leading to the torching of several vehicles by the Muslim rioters. Some sources claim that a Bajrang Dal member in Ballabhgarh shared an offensive video on social media that allegedly insulted Islam, which led to the altercation.

As the violence spread, people set fires, broke things, and killed people in Gurugram, Palwal, and Faridabad. Aslam, a mosque committee member, said that people with swords, lathis, and handguns came in around midnight. Ahmad, a spokesman for Gurgaon Ekta Manch, said that Gurugram's Sector 57 was hit hard on August 5, 2023, when a Hindu mob burned down a mosque and killed its deputy imam, Maulana Saad. Muslims whom Hindutva vigilantes had attacked for praying in public went to the mosque in 2021 and 2022 on the citizen platform. It was the only place in modern Gurugram where Muslims could pray together without fearing harm.

The authorities issued a curfew in Nuh and prohibitory measures in neighboring regions to avoid more unrest. Internet access has also been banned in Nuh until August 9, 2023. In connection with the violence, the police recorded over 40 charges and detained over 100 people. Six people were killed, including two house guards and four civilians (Hindustan Times, 2023). Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, asked for calm and said the situation was under control. He also promised to compensate the victims' families and take action against the perpetrators. State Home Minister Anil Vij stated that 55 FIRs were filed, and 141 individuals were arrested in Nuh alone. Rao Inderjit Singh, Gurgaon MP and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), condemned participants in a religious yatra who carried swords and clubs.

Haryana's and Manipur's communal riots in August 2023 highlighted how precarious India's social cohesion and national security were. Political and religious groups reportedly generated a politicized environment in preparation for the 2024 elections. Urgent action is required from the government and civic society to avoid further escalation of the conflict and restore community peace and confidence.

Abdul Mussawer Safi is a student of International Relations at the National Defense University Islamabad. He worked in many think tanks and his expertise lies in the regional dynamics of South Asia as well as with publications, highlighting different issues at various outlets. He tweets at @MussawerSafi and can be reached at mussawersafi1999@gmail.com