Hindutva militia hoists saffron flag at mosque in West Bengal
Kolkata: Hindutva militia attacked a mosque-cum-madrassa and hoisted a saffron flag in India’s West Bengal state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the mob vandalised parts of a mosque and climbed onto the structure to hoist a saffron flag associated with the RSS in the Kawakhali area of Siliguri district.
The incident occurred during a Ram Navami procession a day earlier, in which a large number of Hindutva activists reportedly participated. Members of the group were seen dancing in front of the mosque before climbing onto the madrassa building and raising the flag. The incident sparked tension in the Kawakhali area, raising concerns among local residents.
A video showed participants, some brandishing swords, dancing and raising religious slogans outside the madrassa. Two men climbed onto the gate, waved swords, and danced provocatively while being cheered by the crowd.
One of them tied a saffron flag or thread to the dome of the madrassa and continued dancing. Parts of the structure were also reportedly damaged during the incident.
Local Muslim residents submitted a mass petition to the authorities, prompting Kawakhali police to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. The incident reflects a broader pattern in which Hindutva groups such as RSS, BJP, and VHP have been accused of targeting Muslim places of worship across India.
Historical examples include the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, which triggered widespread riots and significant loss of life.
Similarly, mosques and religious sites in places such as Mathura, Budaun, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Uttarakhand have faced demolition drives or legal challenges in recent years.
Analysts link these actions to the rise of Hindutva ideology, noting an increase in such incidents since 2014, with critics alleging that Muslim places of worship are increasingly being targeted.
