On 31 July 2023, communal violence erupted in the Nuh district of Haryana between Muslims and Hindus during an annual Brajmandal Yatra pilgrimage organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
[15] In response, the government imposed a curfew, suspended Internet services, and sent extra paramilitary troops to the region to prevent a further outbreak of violence.
Nuh, previously known as Mewat, is believed to be home to three ancient Shiva lingas from the time of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata, and Krishna used to graze his cows here.
[20] Many Hindutva leaders, including Bhartiya Janata Party MLA Madan Dilawar,[21] have accused the district of being a "mini-Pakistan"; these comments have been condemned by others.
[22] In recent years, the Mewat region has seen increased communal tension due to the issue of illegal cow slaughter and gau rakshaks (lit.
More recently in February 2023, 2 Meo Muslim men from Bharatpur district in Rajasthan, Junaid and Nasir, suspected of cattle smuggling, were allegedly lynched near Loharu by a mob led by cow vigilante and Hindutva activist Monu Manesar.
[24] The murders provoked mass protests in the town of Ferozepur Jhirka, near to the city of Nuh, calling for the arrest of the accused and an end to cow vigilantism.
[23] Communal tension increased with a Mahapanchayat held in Hathin in the nearby Palwal district in support of Monu Manesar, which featured calls for anti-Muslim violence.
[33] In retaliation for initiating the violence, over 1,200 homes and shops were bulldozed in a Muslim-majority area in Haryana, resulting in accusations of "ethnic cleansing".
The mosque's Imam, his family and a group of 10-12 children studying at the madrasa inside escaped unhurt as members of Sikh community intervened and conducted a rescue operation.
When speaking in the Haryana Legislative Assembly in February 2023, Ferozepur Jhirka MLA, Mamman Khan, displayed photographs depicting acts of violence allegedly by the cow vigilante, Monu Manesar.
Ferozepur Jhirka MLA Mamman Khan was accused for instigating violence in the Nuh by the Home Minister of Haryana, Anil Vij.
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, also indirectly mentioned Mamman Khan when he said that “fingers are being pointed at some other Congress MLAs” in connection with the Nuh violence and added that absence of a response from the opposition party certainly proves that “something is suspicious".
[47] A day before the violence in Nuh, it was also alleged that Mamman Khan had posted on ‘X’, formerly Twitter:"The people of Mewat need not panic, fought for you in the assembly, will fight here too”.
[48] After avoiding the team twice, Mamman Khan was eventually arrested on 15 September 2023 in Rajasthan and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for Unlawful assembly was applied to the Nuh District of Haryana on that day.
Police had earlier accused Khan of inciting violence and being in touch with those involved in sharing provocative posts on social media platforms.
[6] The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has requested an inquiry into the engagement of children in stone pelting and other illicit activities during the recent communal unrest in the Nuh district of Haryana.
[62] Haryana Urban Development Authority demolished over 200 illegal shanties that were housing migrant workers from Bangladesh in Taoru town, near Nuh.
[65] Former Nuh MLA and BJP leader, Zakir Hussain also stated that it was a conspiracy to bring a bad name to Mewat, and that it was the handiwork of outsiders from both sides.
Anil Vij, stated that action will be taken against Monu Manesar[68] and accused Ferozepur Jhirka MLA Mamman Khan for his involvement in the riots.
[69] Union Minister and Gurugram MP, Rao Inderjit Singh, expressed apprehensions regarding the Nuh violence, wherein he raised inquiries about the factors that led to provocation from both sides.
[77] Haryana's Home Minister, Anil Vij, stated that social media has played a major role in escalating the violence in Nuh.
[78] To address this issue, the state government has established a three-member committee responsible for monitoring social media activities starting from July 21.
[79] According to an official statement, platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and others will undergo close examination and scrutiny for any posts that may incite violence.
Home Minister Anil Vij made this statement as part of the measures taken to address the issue of provocative content on social media related to the violence in Nuh.