The ceremonious Braj Mandal Pilgrimage is expected to commence on the first Monday of Sawan, that is, July 22nd. Devotees will gather at the storied Nalhar Shiva Temple in Nuh for the sacred ritual of water anointing, bringing holy waters from Haridwar for this purpose. The pilgrimage was initiated by Hindu organizations, in a region with a significant Muslim population, to preserve the ancient Hindu temples there.
Geographical Insight into Nuh
Nuh, the site of previous communal tensions, is a district in Haryana bordering Rajasthan. Known as Mewat, the area covers parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and is predominantly Muslim.
Speaking of the turbulent events of the previous year, July 31st saw thousands of pilgrims from the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal participate in the pilgrimage. The planned route was a 30-kilometer journey from Nalhar Shiva Temple to Jhir Temple in Firozpur Jhirka, and then onward to the Radha Krishna Temple in Punahana. This long-standing route became the fulcrum of discord.
A Clash Leads to Sanctuary
As the devotees' procession found itself under siege by stone pelters around 1 pm, the atmosphere took a dark turn. The ensuing clashes and arson forced many to flee back to the relative safety of the Nalhar Shiva Temple. Vehicles ablaze and gunfire reported.
Source: aajtak
Refuge in Temples
Reports indicated that around two thousand individuals sought refuge within the temple's walls. Law enforcement struggled to deescalate the situation, which resulted in fatalities and led to an extensive investigation with numerous arrests and the razing of homes associated with the suspects, including those of several Hindu leaders.
The Roots of the Nuh Pilgrimage
The district, being largely Muslim, is believed to house ancient temples that have suffered from neglect. Notably, three Shiva Lingas believed to be from the Mahabharata era were cited. The pilgrimage, known as 'Mewat Darshan Yatra', was established by Hindu groups to reconnect people with these temples.
The pilgrimage begins with a water anointing ceremony at the Nalhar Shiva Temple, said to date back to the Pandavas, and features a sacred pond in their name. The procession completes its journey at Shringeshwar Mahadev Temple, where another anointing ceremony takes place. The previous year's journey was unfortunately disrupted by violence.
Though Nuh has been highlighted for past communal strife, it has seen a recent uptick in cybercrime lead discussions.
Cybercrime on the Rise
Nuh has become notorious for cybercrime, with incidents ranging from extortion, bogus work-from-home schemes, and honey traps initiated via fake social media profiles. The Home Ministry acknowledged that the cybercrime in the Mewat area, comprising parts of Nuh, Bharatpur in Rajasthan, and Mathura in UP, has outpaced that of even Jamtara in Jharkhand.
Source: aajtak
Nuh's Economic Struggles
Nuh is Haryana's poorest district, with around forty percent of its populace grappling with multidimensional poverty, struggling in health, education, and lifestyle – enforcing the dire need for inclusive growth and development.
The Mew Muslims of Nuh
A historically significant majority of Nuh's population, the Mew Muslims, are considered to be descendants of 13th to 17th-century Hindu Rajputs who adopted Islam. Renowned for their historical contributions during the Delhi Sultanate era, they exhibit a fusion of cultural practices that intertwine Hindu and Muslim traditions.
Festivals and Faith
Mew Muslims maintain unique religious practices, celebrating both Islamic holidays and participating in major Hindu festivals, reflecting the region's rich tapestry of interfaith harmony.
