Recent events in Nepal’s Rautahat district have highlighted growing communal tensions. In the district's Garuda Municipality Ward No. 6, Muslims recently renamed a village to "Islam Nagar" and displayed a new village sign. This sign, prominently painted in green, showcased Arabic and Urdu script and included images of Islamic religious sites. The renaming and the new sign installation stirred significant unrest among the local Hindu population.

The situation escalated on the 23rd of June when Hindus in the area took down the sign, leading to physical altercations. Muslims reportedly assaulted several Hindu youths following the removal of the sign. Authorities were promptly informed and police were dispatched to the scene.

The controversy extends beyond just the renaming of the village. The sign was placed at a crucial crossroads in Pothiyahi village, previously known as a Brahma Sthan, a term signifying a holy place in Hinduism. The incident took a more provocative turn when an elderly Muslim man took a selfie with the newly installed sign and shared it on social media, where it went viral, further inflaming tensions. This act led the local Muslim community to begin referring to the area by its new name, Islam Nagar.

Despite the presence of authorities at the location, no immediate action was taken against those responsible for the sign, leading to allegations of Muslim appeasement by the local Hindu community. The lack of response from the administration has only added to the grievances of the Hindu residents, contributing to a fraught atmosphere of communal discord.

Muslim community dominates despite making up only 4% of the population

In an exclusive conversation with OpIndia, Rajesh Yadav, the national president of Nepal’s "Hindu Samrat Sena" organization, shed light on the demographic and social dynamics within Pothiyahi village. Despite Muslims constituting a mere 4% of the population, with only ten Muslim houses in the village, they initiated a move to rename the locality. This action culminated on the 23rd of June when "Hindu Samrat Sena" members and local residents removed the controversial sign.

Yadav revealed that there was no immediate reaction from the Muslim community at the time of the sign's removal; however, they were purportedly planning a retaliatory act in secrecy. This led to a violent confrontation on the night of the 25th of June, when three young Hindu men were ambushed by approximately a dozen Muslims while passing through the intersection. The attackers, identified as leaders Chand Diwan, Rafiq, Sirajul, and Manzoor, accused the Hindu youths of being responsible for the removal of the board, leading to a severe physical assault.

The victims sustained serious injuries from the ordeal and were subsequently hospitalized for their wounds. News of the attack spread quickly among the Hindu community, sparking outrage and leading them to rally against the violence. The incident prompted a swift response from local authorities, who arrived at the scene upon learning of the unrest. This sequence of events has further strained relations between the two communities, highlighting the fragile social fabric of the area.

Police shielded the assailants

Members of the Hindu community in Pothiyahi village have expressed dissatisfaction with the local police's handling of the recent violent incidents. They accuse the police of not only failing to intervene during the attacks by Muslim individuals but also of actively protecting the Muslim families involved. The Hindus have criticized the portrayal of the conflict as a mutual argument, which they see as a deliberate strategy by the national government to obscure the true nature of the events.

The police have officially stated that the altercation did not have a communal basis. However, Hindu organizations have rejected this claim, suggesting it is part of an effort to downplay the seriousness of the situation. According to local sources, the police's actions are influenced by pressure from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist). The involvement of the party is perceived as a factor in the alleged preferential treatment towards Muslims.

Furthermore, the local Hindu community has pointed fingers at Prime Minister Prachanda’s (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) administration and the Left party, accusing them of pandering to Muslim interests. This accusation comes amidst heightened tensions in the area, with the Hindu community feeling marginalized and aggrieved by recent developments. The situation remains tense, reflecting deep-seated issues within the local social and political landscape.

Brahma Sthan has been named Madrasa Chowk

Rajesh Yadav, the national president of Nepal’s "Hindu Samrat Sena" organization, has announced plans for a formal response to recent communal tensions. On 27th June, he stated that his group, along with several other organizations, intends to submit a memorandum to the government. This document will demand action against the Muslims who assaulted Hindus on the 25th of June and will express opposition to the renaming of Pothiyahi village as "Islam Nagar."

Yadav also disclosed a related incident that occurred three months ago in the Jayanagar area of Garuda Nagar Palika, within the Rautahat district. There, a similar renaming effort took place when a location known as Kadam Chowk, traditionally referred to as Brahma Sthan, was renamed "Madrasa Chowk" by some members of the Muslim community. A sign marking this new designation was erected and remains in place. The chairman of the ward, a Muslim named Sheikh Wahab, is said to be involved in these developments.

These events reflect a broader pattern of communal renaming initiatives that have sparked significant unrest and controversy within the local Hindu community.