Online hate sows Muslim fears as India votes

“ATMOSPHERE OF HATRED”

Critics however accuse the BJP’s sophisticated social media apparatus of also fanning the flames of division.

Haldwani community leader Islam Hussain said tensions were already high before February’s violence, after months of incendiary social media posts calling Muslims “outsiders”.

“It was said that due to the increasing population of Muslims, the social demography of Uttarakhand is changing”, Hussein said.

“Right-wing social media cells have a big role in creating an atmosphere of hatred against Muslims.”

Clashes erupted after the authorities said a mosque had been built illegally, and a Muslim group gathered to prevent its demolition.

Some hurled stones at police officers, who beat them back with batons and tear gas.

Hindu residents gathered to cheer on the police clampdown, chanting religious slogans and throwing rocks at the crowd.

Footage of the riots spread swiftly on social media.

Egged on by online calls to mobilise, Hindu mobs rampaged through the streets.

“It’s time to teach them a lesson,” read the caption to one of dozens of inflammatory posts, many of which remain online.

“The time has come to beat Muslims.”

Qureshi said his brother Faheem, 32, was killed by Hindu neighbours after they first torched his car.