Newly married Muslim couple assaulted by Hindu mob in Telangana

WR Desk: Another centuries-old mosque in Modi’s India has come under the scrutiny after a Hindutva group claimed ancient idols lie within Gujarat’s historic Jamia Masjid, a move Muslims view as part of a recurring pattern aimed at targeting Islamic places of worship and pave the way for the takeover of historic mosques.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the latest dispute concerns the nearly 700-year-old Jamia Masjid in Bharuch, a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), where Muslims have been offering prayers for generations.

A little-known organization, the Shri Chakradhar Swami Janmasthal National Heritage Protection Committee, has alleged that idols and other religious relics are present within the mosque complex and require preservation. The group claims to possess video footage purportedly showing damaged idols and artefacts in a restricted section of the monument.

The Jamia Masjid Trust has strongly contested the claims and questioned how access was obtained to restricted areas of the ASI-protected site. Trust representatives said no permission had been granted for filming in those sections and maintained that the mosque has remained a place of worship and communal harmony for nearly seven centuries. “This mosque has existed peacefully for hundreds of years,” trustee Abdul Kamthi said. “We are concerned that some groups may be trying to create unnecessary controversy and disturb communal harmony.” Expressing concern over the controversy, the trust sought enhanced security from local authorities and the ASI.
For Muslims in India, the issue extends beyond archaeology or heritage preservation. They view such allegations as part of a recurring Hindutva strategy in which claims of hidden temples, idols or relics inside mosques are used to justify campaigns aimed at seizing or undermining Islamic places of worship.

Muslim groups point out to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992 following a prolonged campaign by Hindu extremist groups. They also cited ongoing disputes involving the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura and the Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindutva mobs, the Indian Supreme Court eventually handed the mosque site to Hindu litigants in 2019.

Observers say such controversies have heightened fears among Muslims that centuries-old mosques across India could face similar challenges under the growing influence of Hindutva forces.

Meanwhile, a newly married Muslim couple was assaulted by a Hindu mob in Telangana state’s Mahabubnagar district following a minor road accident, triggering outrage among local Muslims.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred near SVS Hospital in Mahabubnagar when Mohammed Talha and his wife, Farhana Begum, were travelling from Shadnagar. Their vehicle reportedly met with a minor accident involving a group of intoxicated youths.

Witnesses said the situation quickly escalated and that the couple was targeted after Farhana Begum was identified as a Muslim woman wearing a burqa. Soon after the accident, dozens of people from a nearby area gathered at the scene and assaulted the couple.

Local Muslims rushed to rescue the victims, but residents said a larger crowd later assembled and launched another attack. Eyewitnesses said Farhana Begum was dragged and assaulted, suffering injuries to her ribs, while Mohammed Talha and his cousin sustained serious head injuries.

Residents said the victims were publicly humiliated, their clothes were torn during the assault, and jewellery belonging to Farhana Begum went missing amid the chaos.

The injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment. Their condition was not immediately known.

The incident has sparked anger among the local Muslim community, which described the attack as a targeted act of communal violence. Residents also expressed concern that police registered the case under bailable sections despite the gravity of the assault. Community members have demanded a fair and impartial investigation and strict action against all those involved in the attack.