Maharashtra: When hate is the bait, some fall hook, line and sinker

His causes are too vile to bear itemizing: Muslims had been unclean, didn’t bathe repeatedly, slaughtered animals, cheated folks and dedicated crimes. It was crucial, he stated, to maintain Muslims away from the mela to stop them from stealing cellphones, and Hindu ladies (in fact: how may he not invoke the usual canard of affection jihad). Numbers, particular situations or crime reviews weren’t wanted — his phrase apparently was sufficient.

He additionally failed to elucidate why the village had no such ‘downside’ earlier than. With a reported inhabitants of three,500, Madhi is dwelling to 60 to 70 Muslim households who’ve lived there for generations. The world has no report of communal clashes or conflicts.

A floor report revealed in The Quint quoted villagers saying, beneath situation of anonymity, that they’ve by no means had any bother with Muslims. What Hindus declare because the samadhi of Shri Chaitanya Kanifnath Maharaj, Muslims revere because the dargah of Shah Ramzan Mahi Sawar Chishti. Each faiths go to the positioning, notably the nomadic tribes from neighbouring Gujarat and Rajasthan.

As festivals go, the Madhi mela is comparatively minor but it surely gives a brisk enterprise alternative, notably in toys, clothes, condiments, meals, cosmetics, bangles and jewelry.

The ban on Muslim merchants and threats are pushed by the will to exclude them. On 1 March 2025, when Rane visited the village, Muslims had been ‘suggested’ to remain indoors. Now, many have sought police safety, and a few have taken authorized motion in opposition to the sarpanch. A dispute between the temple belief and the waqf board over 40 acres of land surrounding the temple could have sparked the ‘decision’. Regardless of two FIRs being filed in opposition to Rane in Ahilyanagar district, no motion has been taken.