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{{Short description|2020 series of riots in Delhi, India}}
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{{Pp|reason=Persistent ]; continued editing against sources|small=yes}}
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{{short description|2020 Series of riots and violent incidents at North East Delhi}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox civil conflict {{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2020 Delhi riots | title = 2020 Delhi riots
| partof = | partof =
| image = {{Photomontage | image = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = North East Delhi Riots 2020 (1).jpg | photo1a = North East Delhi Riots 2020 (1).jpg
| photo2a = Relief camps for Delhi riot-affected victims.jpg | photo2a = Relief camps for Delhi riot-affected victims.jpg
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| border = 0 | border = 0
| color = #000000 | color = #000000
| foot_montage = (top) Muslim homes and businesses were set on fire during the rioting in {{nowrap|Shiv Vihar, Delhi}}.{{efn|Photo by ] is original. The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo supports description in caption and provides additional context. This is not the photo published by that source.<ref name=ameen-telegraph-2020-2-28>{{Cite news|last = Ameen |first = Furquan|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/shiv-vihar-home-for-15-years-but-not-any-more/cid/1749520|title=Shiv Vihar: Home for 15 years, but not any more|work=]|date=2020-02-28|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>}} <br/> (bottom) A relief camp at ] in ] set up by the ]{{efn|The Government of Delhi is different from the ].}} and the Muslim ] board, with beds for 800 women and 700 men, and with doctors from ] and ] volunteering.{{efn|Photo by ] is original. The following reference to a published source supports description in caption and provides additional context. This photo was not published by that source.<ref name=vincent-telegraph-4-3-2020>{{citation|title=After riots, volunteers offer healing touch at Delhi relief camp|first1=Pheroze L.|last1=Vincent|location= New Delhi|date=4 March 2020|work=The Telegraph (Kolkata)|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/after-riots-volunteers-offer-healing-touch-at-delhi-relief-camp/cid/1750784|accessdate= 12 March 2020}}</ref>}} | foot_montage = (top) Muslim homes and businesses were set on fire during the rioting in {{Nowrap|Shiv Vihar, Delhi}}.{{Efn|The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo supports description in caption and provides additional context. This is not the photo published by that source.<ref name=ameen-telegraph-2020-2-28>{{Cite news|last1 = Ameen |first1 = Furquan|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/shiv-vihar-home-for-15-years-but-not-any-more/cid/1749520|title=Shiv Vihar: Home for 15 years, but not any more|work=]|date=28 February 2020|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref>}}<br/> (bottom) A relief camp at ] in ] set up by the ]{{efn|The Government of Delhi is different from the ].}} and the Muslim ] board, with beds for 800 women and 700 men, and with doctors from ] and ] volunteering.{{efn|The following reference to a published source supports description in caption and provides additional context. This photo was not published by that source.<ref name=vincent-telegraph-4-3-2020>{{citation|title=After riots, volunteers offer healing touch at Delhi relief camp|first1=Pheroze L.|last1=Vincent|location= New Delhi|date=4 March 2020|work=The Telegraph (Kolkata)|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/after-riots-volunteers-offer-healing-touch-at-delhi-relief-camp/cid/1750784|access-date= 12 March 2020}}</ref>}}
}} }}
| caption = | caption =
| alt = See caption | alt =
| date = 23 February 2020 – 29 February 2020 ({{Time interval|23 February 2020|29 February 2020}})
| date = 23 February 2020 – 1 March 2020 ({{time interval|23 February 2020|1 March 2020}})<ref name="HTPanicViolence">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/reports-of-tensions-in-southeast-and-west-delhi-are-rumours-says-delhi-police/story-3JLMvK8N6DJHcOjyPvb8uM.html|title=Panic grips Delhi after fresh violence rumours, police say situation normal|date=2020-03-01|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2020-03-09|quote=No riot-related deaths were reported on Saturday but a shop was set on fire in the Welcome area, said police.}}</ref>
| place = ], ] | place = ], India
| coordinates = {{coord|28.682|N|77.274|E|region:IN_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline,title}} | coordinates = {{Coord|28.682|N|77.274|E|region:IN_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}
| causes = * ]<ref name="IT2">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-four-videos-clips-that-court-made-cops-watch-1650273-2020-02-26|title=Delhi violence: Four video clips that court made cops watch
| causes = {{flatlist|
|date=26 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020|website=India Today}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="IT2">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-four-videos-clips-that-court-made-cops-watch-1650273-2020-02-26|title=Delhi violence: Four video clips that court made cops watch
* ]<ref name="Mishra DNA 2"/>
|date=26 February 2020|accessdate=26 February 2020|website=India Today}}</ref>
*]<ref name="Mishra DNA 2"/> * ]<ref name="Mishra DNA 2"/>
* ]<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Trivedi |first1=Saurabh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/pro-anti-caa-groups-clash-in-northeast-delhis-maujpur/article30901937.ece |title=Policeman among 5 killed in Delhi violence over CAA |date=24 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |access-date=14 March 2020 |last2=Bhandari |first2=Hemani}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="Mishra DNA 2"/>
* ]<ref name="NDTV1"/>
*]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trivedi |first=Saurabh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/pro-anti-caa-groups-clash-in-northeast-delhis-maujpur/article30901937.ece |title=Policeman among 5 killed in Delhi violence over CAA |date=February 24, 2020 |work=The Hindu |access-date=March 14, 2020 |last2=Bhandari |first2=Hemani}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="IT2"/><ref name="Mosque burnt"/>
* ]<ref name="NDTV1"/>
* ]<ref name="IT2"/><ref name="Mosque burnt"/> | goals = * Preventing ]<ref name="Mishra DNA 2"/><ref name="NDTV1"/>
* ] and ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-burnt-mosques-religion-caa_in_5e576054c5b66622ed76b1f4|title=4 Burnt Mosques in 48 Hours Show Delhi Riots Are About Religion, Not CAA|date=27 February 2020|website=HuffPost India}}</ref>
}}
* Clearing roads blocked by protestors<ref name=":0" />
| goals =
| methods = {{Cslist|]ing|]|]|]}}
* Preventing ]<ref name="Mishra DNA 2"/><ref name="NDTV1"/>
* ] and ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-burnt-mosques-religion-caa_in_5e576054c5b66622ed76b1f4|title=4 Burnt Mosques In 48 Hours Show Delhi Riots Are About Religion, Not CAA|date=27 February 2020|website=HuffPost India}}</ref>
| methods = {{Hlist|]ing|]|]|]}}
| status = | status =
| result = | result =
| side1 = | side1 =
| side2 = | side2 =
| leadfigures1 = | leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 = | leadfigures2 =
| injuries = 200+<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/government/delhi-riots-official-toll-hurt-cases|title=It's Official: Police Says 53 Dead, 200+ Injured, 2200 Arrests in Delhi Riots|website=The Wire|date=8 March 2020|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> | injuries = 200+<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/government/delhi-riots-official-toll-hurt-cases|title=It's Official: Police Says 53 Dead, 200+ Injured, 2200 Arrests in Delhi Riots|work=The Wire|date=8 March 2020|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref>
| fatalities = 53<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12/> | fatalities = 53<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12/>
* 51 identified<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12/> * 2 unidentified<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12/>
* 36 Muslims{{cn|date=March 2020}} * 36 Muslims<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12/>
* 15 Hindus<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12>{{cite news |title=Ground Report: As Amit Shah Praises Delhi Police, Riot Victims Tell a Different Story |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-amit-shah-muslims-delhi-police |accessdate=14 March 2020 |work=The Wire |date=12 March 2020 |author=Seemi Pasha |language=en}}</ref> * 15 Hindus<ref name=thewire-2020-2-12>{{cite news |title=Ground Report: As Amit Shah Praises Delhi Police, Riot Victims Tell a Different Story |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-amit-shah-muslims-delhi-police |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=The Wire |date=12 March 2020 |author=Seemi Pasha }}</ref>
|arrests = 2200 (including detained)<ref name="IT690Cases">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-riots-cases-arrests-death-toll-victims-relief-camps-aap-1653524-2020-03-07|title=Delhi riots: 690 cases registered, violence victims find shelter in relief camps|date=March 7, 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> | arrests = 2200 (including detained)<ref name="IT690Cases">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-riots-cases-arrests-death-toll-victims-relief-camps-aap-1653524-2020-03-07|title=Delhi riots: 690 cases registered, violence victims find shelter in relief camps|date=7 March 2020|website=India Today|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref>
| notes = <mapframe latitude="28.676792" longitude="77.273456" zoom="11" width="300" height="227" align="center">{
|notes=
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{{Violence against Muslims in independent India}}


The '''2020''' '''Delhi riots''', also known as '''North East Delhi riots''', were multiple waves of bloodshed, property destruction, and rioting in ] which began on 23 February and were caused chiefly by Hindu mobs attacking Muslims.<ref name="guardian-3-16-20-1">{{citation|title=Delhi's Muslims despair of justice after police implicated in riots|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|last2=Azizur Rahman|first2= Shaikh|location=Delhi|work=Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/delhis-muslims-despair-justice-police-implicated-hindu-riots|date=16 March 2020|accessdate=17 March 2020|quote= As the mob attacks came once, then twice and then a third time in this north-east Delhi neighbourhood, desperate stallholders repeatedly ran to Gokalpuri and Dayalpur police stations crying out for help. But each time they found the gates locked from the inside. For three days, no help came. ... Since the riots broke out in Delhi at the end of February, the worst religious conflict to engulf the capital in decades, questions have persisted about the role that the Delhi police played in enabling the violence, which was predominately Hindu mobs attacking Muslims. Of the 51 people who died, at least three-quarters were Muslim, and many Muslims are still missing.}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1">{{citation|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Abi-Habib|first2=Maria|title=In India, Modi's Policies Have Lit a Fuse|date=1 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/asia/india-modi-hindus.html|accessdate=1 March 2020|quote=This past week, as neighborhoods in India's capital burned and religiously driven bloodletting consumed more than 40 lives, most of them Muslim, India's government was quick to say that the violence was spontaneous... Many Muslims are now leaving, hoisting their unburned things on their heads and trudging away from streets that still smell of smoke.}}</ref> Fifty-three people were killed, most of whom were Muslims who were shot, slashed with repeated blows or set on fire;<ref name="guardian-3-16-20-1"/><ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-1">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=6 March 2020|title=In Delhi's worst violence in decades, a man watched his brother burn|work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-delhis-worst-violence-in-decades-a-man-watched-his-brother-burn/2020/03/05/892dbb12-5e45-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html |access-date=6 March 2020|quote=At least 53 people were killed or suffered deadly injuries in violence that persisted for two days. The majority of those killed were Muslims, many shot, hacked or burned to death. A police officer and an intelligence officer were also killed. So too were more than a dozen Hindus, most of them shot or assaulted.}}</ref><ref name="wapo-3-2-20-slater-1">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=2 March 2020|title=What Delhi's worst communal violence in decades means for Modi's India |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/what-days-of-communal-violence-mean-for-modi-and-for-india/2020/03/01/3d649c18-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |access-date=15 March 2020|quote=Zaitoon, 40, who goes by one name, half-cried as she rummaged through the items. She said mobs entered her lane shouting “Jai Shri Ram, or “Victory to Lord Ram, a slogan favored by Modi’s party, and demanded to know which houses were occupied by Muslims. She said she saw a neighbor set on fire in front of her, an account repeated by other witnesses.}}</ref> the dead also included a policeman, an intelligence officer and over a dozen ], who were shot or assaulted.<ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-1"/> More than a week after the violence had ended, hundreds of wounded were languishing in inadequately staffed medical facilities and corpses were being found in open drains.<ref name="npr-3-7-20-frayer">{{citation|last=Frayer|first=Lauren|work=National Public Radio|title=Delhi Riots Aftermath: 'How Do You Explain Such Violence?'|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/07/812193930/delhi-riots-aftermath-how-do-you-explain-such-violence|accessdate=7 March 2020|date=7 March 2020|quote=But hundreds of wounded are languishing in understaffed medical facilities. Corpses are still being discovered in drainage ditches. Victims are still dying in hospitals. The death toll has reached 53... Police are facing accusations from victims, witnesses, human rights groups, opposition politicians and Muslim leaders worldwide that they failed to protect Muslim citizens, and in some cases, even incited attacks themselves.}}</ref> Many Muslims have remained missing.<ref name="guardian-3-16-20-1"/> The '''2020 Delhi riots''', or '''North East Delhi riots''', were multiple waves of bloodshed, property destruction, and rioting in ], beginning on 23 February 2020 and brought about chiefly by Hindu mobs attacking Muslims.<ref name="guardian-3-16-20-1">{{citation|title=Delhi's Muslims despair of justice after police implicated in riots|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|last2=Azizur Rahman|first2= Shaikh|location=Delhi|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/delhis-muslims-despair-justice-police-implicated-hindu-riots|date=16 March 2020|access-date=17 March 2020|quote= As the mob attacks came once, then twice and then a third time in this north-east Delhi neighbourhood, desperate stallholders repeatedly ran to Gokalpuri and Dayalpur police stations crying out for help. But each time they found the gates locked from the inside. For three days, no help came. ... Since the riots broke out in Delhi at the end of February, the worst religious conflict to engulf the capital in decades, questions have persisted about the role that the Delhi police played in enabling the violence, which was predominately Hindu mobs attacking Muslims. Of the 51 people who died, at least three-quarters were Muslim, and many Muslims are still missing.}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1">{{citation|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Abi-Habib|first2=Maria|title=In India, Modi's Policies Have Lit a Fuse|date=1 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/asia/india-modi-hindus.html|access-date=1 March 2020|quote=This past week, as neighborhoods in India's capital burned and religiously driven bloodletting consumed more than 40 lives, most of them Muslim, India's government was quick to say that the violence was spontaneous... Many Muslims are now leaving, hoisting their unburned things on their heads and trudging away from streets that still smell of smoke.}}</ref> Of the 53 people killed, two-thirds were Muslims who were shot, slashed with repeated blows, or set on fire.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-two-thirds>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=Two-thirds of the more than 50 people who were killed and have been identified were Muslim. }}</ref><ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-1">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=6 March 2020|title=In Delhi's worst violence in decades, a man watched his brother burn|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-delhis-worst-violence-in-decades-a-man-watched-his-brother-burn/2020/03/05/892dbb12-5e45-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html |access-date=6 March 2020|quote=At least 53 people were killed or suffered deadly injuries in violence that persisted for two days. The majority of those killed were Muslims, many shot, hacked or burned to death. A police officer and an intelligence officer were also killed. So too were more than a dozen Hindus, most of them shot or assaulted.}}</ref><ref name="wapo-3-2-20-slater-1">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=2 March 2020|title=What Delhi's worst communal violence in decades means for Modi's India |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/what-days-of-communal-violence-mean-for-modi-and-for-india/2020/03/01/3d649c18-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |access-date=15 March 2020|quote=Zaitoon, 40, who goes by one name, half-cried as she rummaged through the items. She said mobs entered her lane shouting "Jai Shri Ram," or "Victory to Lord Ram," a slogan favored by Modi's party, and demanded to know which houses were occupied by Muslims. She said she saw a neighbor set on fire in front of her, an account repeated by other witnesses.}}</ref> The dead also included over a dozen ], who were shot or assaulted.<ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-1"/><ref name="The Wire 2020 p680">{{cite news | title=Delhi Riots Death Toll at 53, Here Are the Names of the Victims | work=] | date=10 March 2020 <!-- Though the first version of this article was 26 February 2020, it had less names --> | url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-identities-deceased-confirmed | access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> More than a week after the violence had ended, hundreds of wounded were languishing in inadequately staffed medical facilities and corpses were being found in open drains.<ref name="npr-3-7-20-frayer">{{citation|last1=Frayer|first1=Lauren|publisher=NPR|title=Delhi Riots Aftermath: 'How Do You Explain Such Violence?'|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/07/812193930/delhi-riots-aftermath-how-do-you-explain-such-violence|access-date=7 March 2020|date=7 March 2020|quote=But hundreds of wounded are languishing in understaffed medical facilities. Corpses are still being discovered in drainage ditches. Victims are still dying in hospitals. The death toll has reached 53... Police are facing accusations from victims, witnesses, human rights groups, opposition politicians and Muslim leaders worldwide that they failed to protect Muslim citizens, and in some cases, even incited attacks themselves.}}</ref> By mid-March many Muslims had remained missing.<ref name="guardian-3-16-20-1"/>


Victims of the violence were targeted for being Muslim.<ref name="independent-withnall-27-2-2020">{{citation|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=Targeted for being Muslim|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/muslim-hindu-clashes-latest-mosque-burnt-delhi-a9361601.html|date=27 February 2020|accessdate=4 March 2020|quote=The violence has been described as targeting Muslims His was one of around eight homes belonging to Muslims targeted by a rampaging mob in this Delhi neighbourhood on Tuesday afternoon, picked for destruction because they sat next to a mosque in this otherwise mostly Hindu-populated neighbourhood, vandalised, looted and then gutted with fire.}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March5">{{citation|last1=Abi-Habib|first1=Maria|title=Violence in India Threatens Its Global Ambitions|date=5 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/world/asia/india-violence-diplomacy.html|accessdate=6 March 2020|quote=But as the leaders celebrated each other in India’s capital, Hindu mobs began going after Muslim protesters in neighborhoods just a few miles away while the police looked on or joined in.}}</ref> Muslim males—who unlike Hindu males are commonly ]—were sometimes forced to show their ] for ascertaining their religion before they were brutalised.<ref name=landrin-lemonde-2020-3-4>{{citation|last=Landrin|first=Sophie|title=Attaques contre les musulmans à New Delhi : « J’ai pensé que j’allais mourir » Trois jours d’attaques meurtrières perpétrées par les nationalistes hindous dans le nord de la capitale indienne laissent des vies dévastées.|work=Le Monde|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/03/04/attaques-contre-les-musulmans-a-new-delhi-j-ai-pense-que-j-allais-mourir_6031809_3210.html|date=4 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|quote=D’autres musulmans ont été déshabillés pour vérifier s’ils étaient circoncis, battus à mort et jetés dans les égouts à ciel ouvert de ce quartier pauvre et poussiéreux. (Other Muslims were stripped naked to check if they were circumcised, beaten to death and thrown into the open sewers of this poor and dusty neighbourhood.)}}</ref><ref name="guardian-3-6-20">{{citation|title='I cannot find my father's body': Delhi's fearful Muslims mourn riot dead|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|last2=Azizur Rahman|first2= Shaikh|location=Delhi|work=Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/how-can-i-go-back-delhi-fearful-muslims-mourn-riot-dead|date=6 March 2020|accessdate=7 March 2020|quote= According to a witness, Arshad kept quiet, so the mob forced down his trousers. On seeing he was circumcised, as is common among Muslims in India, the mob instantly beat him to death. His bloodied body was later found in a gutter, his pants still around his ankles... In the aftermath, even in unaffected areas of Delhi, an exodus of Muslim families began this week, with swathes packing up their bags and returning for good to their home villages, fearing for their safety in the capital.}}</ref> The properties destroyed were disproportionately Muslim-owned and included four ]s, which were set ablaze by rioters.<ref>{{citation|last1=Yasir|first1=Sameer|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|title=Indian Police Sweep Through Riot Zone, Making More Arrests|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/world/asia/india-new-delhi-violence.html|accessdate=4 March 2020|date=28 February 2020|quote=The property destruction has also been lopsidedly anti-Muslim, with many Muslim-owned motorcycles, cars, houses, shops and factories reduced to ashes. At least four mosques were set on fire during 48 hours of rioting.}}</ref> Many Muslims have left these neighbourhoods.<ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1" /> Even in areas of India's capital untouched by the violence, some Muslims have left for their ancestral villages, unsure of their safety.<ref name="guardian-3-6-20" /> Muslims were marked as targets for violence.<ref name="independent-withnall-27-2-2020">{{citation|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=Targeted for being Muslim|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/muslim-hindu-clashes-latest-mosque-burnt-delhi-a9361601.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227154248/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/muslim-hindu-clashes-latest-mosque-burnt-delhi-a9361601.html |archive-date=27 February 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|date=27 February 2020|access-date=4 March 2020|quote=His was one of around eight homes belonging to Muslims targeted by a rampaging mob in this Delhi neighbourhood on Tuesday afternoon, picked for destruction because they sat next to a mosque in this otherwise mostly Hindu-populated neighbourhood, vandalised, looted and then gutted with fire.}}</ref><ref name=wamsley-frayer-npr-2020-2-26-1>{{citation |last1=Wamsley |first1=Laurel |last2=Frayer |first2=Lauren |publisher=NPR |title=In New Delhi, Days Of Deadly Violence And Riots |date=26 February 2020 |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/26/809628525/in-new-delhi-days-of-deadly-violence-and-riots |access-date=25 March 2020|quote=Hindu mobs appear to have targeted Muslims primarily – not people protesting the citizenship law.}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March5">{{citation|last1=Abi-Habib|first1=Maria|title=Violence in India Threatens Its Global Ambitions|date=5 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/world/asia/india-violence-diplomacy.html|access-date=6 March 2020|quote=But as the leaders celebrated each other in India's capital, Hindu mobs began going after Muslim protesters in neighborhoods just a few miles away while the police looked on or joined in.}}</ref> In order to have their religion ascertained, Muslim males—who unlike Hindus are commonly ]—were at times forced to remove their lower garments before being brutalised.<ref name=landrin-lemonde-2020-3-4>{{citation|last1=Landrin|first1=Sophie|title=Attaques contre les musulmans à New Delhi : " J'ai pensé que j'allais mourir " Trois jours d'attaques meurtrières perpétrées par les nationalistes hindous dans le nord de la capitale indienne laissent des vies dévastées.|work=Le Monde|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/03/04/attaques-contre-les-musulmans-a-new-delhi-j-ai-pense-que-j-allais-mourir_6031809_3210.html|date=4 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|quote=D’autres musulmans ont été déshabillés pour vérifier s’ils étaient circoncis, battus à mort et jetés dans les égouts à ciel ouvert de ce quartier pauvre et poussiéreux. (Other Muslims were stripped naked to check if they were circumcised, beaten to death and thrown into the open sewers of this poor and dusty neighbourhood.)}}</ref><ref name="guardian-3-6-20">{{citation|title='I cannot find my father's body': Delhi's fearful Muslims mourn riot dead|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|last2=Azizur Rahman|first2= Shaikh|location=Delhi|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/how-can-i-go-back-delhi-fearful-muslims-mourn-riot-dead|date=6 March 2020|access-date=7 March 2020|quote= According to a witness, Arshad kept quiet, so the mob forced down his trousers. On seeing he was circumcised, as is common among Muslims in India, the mob instantly beat him to death. His bloodied body was later found in a gutter, his pants still around his ankles... In the aftermath, even in unaffected areas of Delhi, an exodus of Muslim families began this week, with swathes packing up their bags and returning for good to their home villages, fearing for their safety in the capital.}}</ref><ref name=wamsley-frayer-npr-2020-2-26-3>{{citation|last1=Wamsley|first1=Laurel|last2=Frayer|first2=Lauren|publisher=NPR|title=In New Delhi, Days Of Deadly Violence And Riots|date=26 February 2020|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/26/809628525/in-new-delhi-days-of-deadly-violence-and-riots|access-date=25 March 2020|quote=Mobs have stopped people and demanded to know their religion. 'At least one photojournalist said he was asked to remove his pants to prove his religious identity,' the BBC adds. (Circumcision is common among male adherents of Islam.)}}</ref> Among the injuries recorded in one hospital were lacerated ].<ref name=apnews-saaliq-schmall-2020-2-28>{{citation|last1=Saaliq|first1=Sheikh|last2=Schmall|first2=Emily|title=Prayers at fire-bombed mosques as India's riot toll grows|work=Associated Press News|date=28 February 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|url=https://apnews.com/ee9be5d458ea02781505bf4bd149178a|quote=Al-Hind hospital, a small clinic with two doctors, was the nearest medical facility for many of the victims. When the riots broke out, it turned into a chaotic emergency ward, its doctors dealing for the first time with injuries such as gunshot wounds, crushed skulls, stabbings and torn genitals.}}</ref><ref name=landrin-lemonde-2020-3-4-2>{{citation|last1=Landrin|first1=Sophie|title=Attaques contre les musulmans à New Delhi : " J'ai pensé que j'allais mourir " Trois jours d'attaques meurtrières perpétrées par les nationalistes hindous dans le nord de la capitale indienne laissent des vies dévastées.|work=Le Monde|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/03/04/attaques-contre-les-musulmans-a-new-delhi-j-ai-pense-que-j-allais-mourir_6031809_3210.html|date=4 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|quote=A l’entrée de l’hôpital, un homme qui officie à l’accueil a tout consigné sur son registre et son téléphone portable. Quelque 800 personnes, explique-t-il, ont été amenées entre le 23 et 25 février, certaines dans un état épouvantable. Des corps écartelés, carbonisés, des blessures par balles, des visages défigurés par de l’acide, des hommes atteints aux parties génitales. " Nous n’avons que de faibles moyens. Nous avons juste posé des garrots, des pansements et tenté de stopper le saignement des blessés ", confie-t-il. (At the entrance to the hospital, a man who works at the reception desk wrote everything down in his register and his mobile phone. Some 800 people, he says, were brought in between February 23 and 25, some in appalling condition. Torn, charred bodies, gunshot wounds, acid-disfigured faces, men with damage to the genitals. 'We have only weak means. We just put tourniquets, bandages and tried to stop the bleeding of the injured,' he said.}}</ref> The properties destroyed were disproportionately Muslim-owned and included four ]s, which were set ablaze by rioters.<ref>{{citation|last1=Yasir|first1=Sameer|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|title=Indian Police Sweep Through Riot Zone, Making More Arrests|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/world/asia/india-new-delhi-violence.html|access-date=4 March 2020|date=28 February 2020|quote=The property destruction has also been lopsidedly anti-Muslim, with many Muslim-owned motorcycles, cars, houses, shops and factories reduced to ashes. At least four mosques were set on fire during 48 hours of rioting.}}</ref> By the end of February, many Muslims had left these neighbourhoods.<ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1" /> Even in areas of Delhi untouched by the violence, some Muslims had left for their ancestral villages, fearful for their personal safety in India's capital.<ref name="guardian-3-6-20" />


The riots had their origin in ], in North East Delhi, where a ] against India's ] had been in progress on a stretch of the ]–]–] road, ] it.<ref name=diplomat-2-27-2020>{{citation|last1=Basu|first1=Soma|title=Delhi: The Anatomy of a Riot|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/delhi-the-anatomy-of-a-riot/|access-date=6 March 2020|work=Diplomat|quote=BJP leader Kapil Mishra issued a 'three-day ultimatum' to police to clear a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by women at the Jaffrabad Metro Station.}}</ref><ref name="uniindia">{{Cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/protests-at-jaffarabad-against-caa-security-beefed-up-2-metro-stations-closed/india/news/1896707.html|title=Protests at Jaffarabad against CAA; security beefed up, 2 metro stations closed|work=United News of India|date=23 February 2020|access-date=2 March 2020|quote=Demanding revocation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, protesters—mostly women—on Sunday took to streets and blocked the road below Jaffrabad metro station.}}</ref> On 23 February 2020, a leader of the ruling ] ], ], called for ] to clear the roads, failing which he threatened to "hit the streets".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/kapil-mishra-bjp-jaffrabad-protest-delhi-police-3-days-ultimatum-1649286-2020-02-23|title=BJP leader Kapil Mishra's 3-day ultimatum to Delhi Police|website=India Today|date=23 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/bjp-leader-kapil-mishras-3-day-ultimatum-to-delhi-police-to-clear-anti-caa-protest-jaffrabad-2184627|title="We'll Be Peaceful Till Trump Leaves," BJP Leader Kapil Mishra Warns Delhi Police|website=NDTV.com|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> After Mishra's ultimatum, violence erupted.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Fresh violence erupts in Indian capital during anti-CAA protests|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/fresh-violence-erupts-indian-capital-anti-caa-protests-200224121139653.html|website=Al Jazeera|first=Bilal|last=Kuchay|date=24 February 2020|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> Initially, Hindu and Muslim attacks were equally lethal.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-1>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=When the violence started on Feb. 23 – as Hindu men gathered to forcibly eject a peaceful Muslim protest near their neighborhood – much of it became two-sided. By day's end, both Muslims and Hindus had been attacked, and dozens had been shot, apparently with small-bore homemade guns. But by Feb. 25 the direction had changed.}}</ref> Most deaths were attributed to gunfire.<ref name="veconomist-2">{{cite news|title= Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hug as Delhi burns|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/02/26/donald-trump-and-narendra-modi-hug-as-delhi-burns|newspaper=]|date=26 February 2020|quote=Both sides soon resorted to shooting; most of the fatalities, which included two policemen, were caused by gunfire... The police, which in Delhi are controlled by the central government, only deployed in strength on February 26th. On the orders of a court, they also began registering complaints of incitement. Mr Modi's national-security adviser toured affected districts, giving his 'word of honour' that residents could feel safe. The prime minister himself, after three days of silence, belatedly tweeted a plea for calm.}}</ref> By 25 February 2020, the balance had shifted.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-1/> Rioters wearing helmets and carrying sticks, stones, swords or pistols, and the saffron flags of ] entered Muslim neighbourhoods, as the police stood by.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Landrin|first1=Sophie|title=Inde : New Delhi en proie à de violents conflits intercommunautaires|date=26 February 2020|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/02/26/inde-new-delhi-en-proie-a-de-violents-conflits-intercommunautaires_6030862_3210.html|trans-title=India: New Delhi plagued by violent inter-community conflicts|work=Le Monde|language=fr|quote=Des hordes d’émeutiers casqués, armés de bâtons, de pierres, de sabres ou de pistolets, portant des drapeaux safran – la couleur des nationalistes hindous – ont pris d’assaut cette zone. Des véhicules, des échoppes, ainsi que des maisons appartenant à des musulmans, ont été incendiés sous les yeux d’une police totalement passive. (Hordes of helmeted rioters, armed with sticks, stones, sabers or pistols, carrying saffron flags – the color of Hindu nationalists – stormed this area. Vehicles, stalls, as well as houses belonging to Muslims, were set on fire in front of a totally passive police force.)|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-2>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote= Hindu mobs fanned out and targeted Muslim families. Violence crackled in the air. Police officers watched as mobs of Hindus, their foreheads marked by saffron stripes, prowled the streets with baseball bats and rusty bars, looking for Muslims to kill. The sky was filled with smoke. Muslim homes, shops and mosques were burned down.}}</ref> Chants were heard of "'']''" ("Victory to ]"), a religious slogan favoured by prime minister ]'s party.<ref name="wapo-3-2-20-slater-1"/> In the neighbourhood of Shiv Vihar, Hindu rioters attacked Muslim houses and businesses for three days, often firebombing them with ]s and gutting them without resistance from the police.<ref name=guardian-3-6-20-3>{{citation|title='I cannot find my father's body': Delhi's fearful Muslims mourn riot dead|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|last2=Azizur Rahman|first2= Shaikh|location=Delhi|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/how-can-i-go-back-delhi-fearful-muslims-mourn-riot-dead|date=6 March 2020|access-date=7 March 2020|quote= In Shiv Vihar, from where they and many others had escaped, almost every Muslim home lay in blackened ruins, and two mosques looked like bomb sites. For three days, Hindu rioters attacked Shiv Vihar's Muslim localities and ran mayhem without any resistance from police. The mobs repeatedly used gas canisters as weapons, setting them alight and exploding them in Muslim properties so that the walls crumbled entirely.}}</ref> In some instances, Muslims countered perceived threats by returning the violence; on the 25th a Muslim mob approached a Hindu neighbourhood throwing stones and ] and firing guns.<ref name="wapo-3-2-20-slater-2">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=2 March 2020|title=What Delhi's worst communal violence in decades means for Modi's India |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/what-days-of-communal-violence-mean-for-modi-and-for-india/2020/03/01/3d649c18-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |access-date=15 March 2020|quote=In the riots that swept northeastern Delhi, Muslims mobilized to counter perceived threats and clashed with Hindus. A two-lane road separates Muslim-dominated Mustafabad from Hindu-dominated Bhagirathi Vihar. Hindus say a large mob approached from the Muslim side Tuesday night, throwing stones and Molotov cocktails and firing guns. 'It became difficult to save our lives,' said Yogesh Kumar, 24, an accountant. 'When the fire spreads, everything gets torched,' Sanjay Kumar, 40, said bitterly as he looked around at the destroyed storefronts and burned facades along a lane leading from the main road. He blamed Kapil Mishra, the BJP leader who issued the original threat to protesters who mounted a sit-in.}}</ref> During this time, stories were also told of Sikh and Hindu families coming to the aid of besieged Muslims;<ref name="guardian-3-1-20-sikh-hindu">{{citation|title=Inside Delhi: beaten, lynched and burnt alive|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|location=Delhi|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/india-delhi-after-hindu-mob-riot-religious-hatred-nationalists|date=1 March 2020|access-date=27 March 2020|quote= But for all the tales of discord, dozens of accounts were also given to the ''Observer'' of how Sikh and Hindu families helped save their Muslim neighbours, sheltering them in their homes as the violence broke out or helping them escape as the mobs descended.}}</ref> in some neighbourhoods, the religious communities cooperated in protecting themselves from violence.<ref name="Barton2020"/>
The riots had their origin in ], in North East Delhi, where a ] by women against India's ] had begun on a stretch of the ]–]–] road.<ref name=diplomat-2-27-2020>{{citation|last=Basu|first=Soma|title=Delhi: The Anatomy of a Riot|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/delhi-the-anatomy-of-a-riot/|accessdate=6 March 2020|work=Diplomat|quote=BJP leader Kapil Mishra issued a “three-day ultimatum” to police to clear a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by women at the Jaffrabad Metro Station.}}</ref><ref name="uniindia">{{Cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/protests-at-jaffarabad-against-caa-security-beefed-up-2-metro-stations-closed/india/news/1896707.html|title=Protests at Jaffarabad against CAA; security beefed up, 2 metro stations closed|work=United News of India|date=23 February 2020|access-date=2 March 2020|quote=Demanding the revocation of the Citizenship (Amendmend) Act, protesters—mostly women—on Sunday took to the streets and blocked the road below the Jaffrabad Metro Station.}}</ref> On 23 February 2020, a leader of the ruling ] (BJP), ], demanded that ] clear the roads occupied by protesters, and threatened to forcefully end the protests if the police failed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/kapil-mishra-bjp-jaffrabad-protest-delhi-police-3-days-ultimatum-1649286-2020-02-23|title=BJP leader Kapil Mishra's 3-day ultimatum to Delhi Police|website=India Today|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/bjp-leader-kapil-mishras-3-day-ultimatum-to-delhi-police-to-clear-anti-caa-protest-jaffrabad-2184627|title="We'll Be Peaceful Till Trump Leaves," BJP Leader Kapil Mishra Warns Delhi Police|website=NDTV.com|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


The Indian government swiftly characterised the violence as spontaneous.<ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1" /> The ], which is directly overseen by India's ], moved into the area in strength on 26 February after the ] had ordered it to help remove injured victims to hospitals.<ref name="veconomist-2" /><ref name=economist-2020-3-12>{{citation|title=First the mob, then the law|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/03/12/victims-of-rioting-in-india-are-bashed-by-the-police-and-courts-too|date=12 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020|quote=During the riots in Delhi, it was only after the high court ordered police to help evacuate wounded people to hospital that the city's 80,000-person police force began to intervene, after 48 hours of arson and murder.}}</ref> India's ], ], visited the area; the prime minister, Narendra Modi, made an appeal for peace on Twitter.<ref name="veconomist-2" /> The Delhi police were accused by the affected citizens, eyewitnesses, human rights organizations and Muslim leaders around the world of falling short in protecting Muslims.<ref name="npr-3-7-20-frayer" /> Videos showed police acting in a coordinated manner against Muslims, on occasion purposefully helping Hindu gangs.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-6>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=Now, more evidence is emerging that the Delhi police, who are under the direct command of Mr. Modi's government and have very few Muslim officers, concertedly moved against Muslims and at times actively helped the Hindu mobs that rampaged in New Delhi in late February, burning down Muslim homes and targeting Muslim families.}}</ref> Witnesses said some police officers joined the attacks on Muslims.<ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-2">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=6 March 2020|title=In Delhi's worst violence in decades, a man watched his brother burn|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-delhis-worst-violence-in-decades-a-man-watched-his-brother-burn/2020/03/05/892dbb12-5e45-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html |access-date=6 March 2020|quote=The police force – which is directly overseen by the central government – has come under criticism for failing to stop the violence. Witnesses say some officers joined the attacks on Muslims.}}</ref>
When in response to Mishra's ultimatum, Hindu men began to gather to break up the protest, which had been taking place near their neighbourhood, the violence erupted. Initially it was two-way, with Hindus and Muslims attacking with equal deadliness,<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-1>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=When the violence started on Feb. 23 — as Hindu men gathered to forcibly eject a peaceful Muslim protest near their neighborhood — much of it became two-sided. By day’s end, both Muslims and Hindus had been attacked, and dozens had been shot, apparently with small-bore homemade guns. But by Feb. 25 the direction had changed.}}</ref> and most deaths attributed to gunfire.<ref name="veconomist-2">{{cite news|author=|title= Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hug as Delhi burns|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/02/26/donald-trump-and-narendra-modi-hug-as-delhi-burns|work=]|date=26 February 2020|quote=The police, which in Delhi are controlled by the central government, only deployed in strength on February 26th. On the orders of a court, they also began registering complaints of incitement. Mr Modi’s national-security adviser toured affected districts, giving his "word of honour" that residents could feel safe. The prime minister himself, after three days of silence, belatedly tweeted a plea for calm... Both sides soon resorted to shooting; most of the fatalities, which included two policemen, were caused by gunfire.}}</ref> But by 25 February 2020, the balance had shifted.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-1/> Rioters wearing helmets and carrying sticks, stones, swords or pistols, and the saffron flags of ] entered Muslim neighbourhoods, as police stood by.<ref>{{cite news|last=Landrin|first=Sophie|title=Inde : New Delhi en proie à de violents conflits intercommunautaires|date=26 February 2020|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/02/26/inde-new-delhi-en-proie-a-de-violents-conflits-intercommunautaires_6030862_3210.html|trans-title=India: New Delhi plagued by violent inter-community conflicts|work=Le Monde|language=fr|quote=Des hordes d’émeutiers casqués, armés de bâtons, de pierres, de sabres ou de pistolets, portant des drapeaux safran – la couleur des nationalistes hindous – ont pris d’assaut cette zone. Des véhicules, des échoppes, ainsi que des maisons appartenant à des musulmans, ont été incendiés sous les yeux d’une police totalement passive. (Hordes of helmeted rioters, armed with sticks, stones, sabers or pistols, carrying saffron flags - the color of Hindu nationalists - stormed this area. Vehicles, stalls, as well as houses belonging to Muslims, were set on fire before a completely passive police force.)|accessdate=4 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-2>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote= Hindu mobs fanned out and targeted Muslim families. Violence crackled in the air. Police officers watched as mobs of Hindus, their foreheads marked by saffron stripes, prowled the streets with baseball bats and rusty bars, looking for Muslims to kill. The sky was filled with smoke. Muslim homes, shops and mosques were burned down.}}</ref> Chants were heard of "Jai Shri Ram" ("Victory to ]", a major Hindu deity), a slogan to which the ruling party is partial.<ref name="wapo-3-2-20-slater-1"/> In the neighbourhood of Shiv Vihar, groups of violent Hindu men attacked Muslim houses and businesses for three days, often firebombing them with ]s and gutting them without any resistance from the police.<ref name=guardian-3-6-20-3>{{citation|title='I cannot find my father's body': Delhi's fearful Muslims mourn riot dead|last1=Ellis-Peterson|first1=Hannah|last2=Azizur Rahman|first2= Shaikh|location=Delhi|work=Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/how-can-i-go-back-delhi-fearful-muslims-mourn-riot-dead|date=6 March 2020|accessdate=7 March 2020|quote= In Shiv Vihar, from where they and many others had escaped, almost every Muslim home lay in blackened ruins, and two mosques looked like bomb sites. For three days, Hindu rioters attacked Shiv Vihar’s Muslim localities and ran mayhem without any resistance from police. The mobs repeatedly used gas canisters as weapons, setting them alight and exploding them in Muslim properties so that the walls crumbled entirely.}}</ref> In some instances, Muslims encountered apprehended threats by returning the violence; on the 25th a Muslim mob approached a Hindu neighbourhood throwing stones and ] and firing guns.<ref name="wapo-3-2-20-slater-2">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=2 March 2020|title=What Delhi's worst communal violence in decades means for Modi's India |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/what-days-of-communal-violence-mean-for-modi-and-for-india/2020/03/01/3d649c18-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |access-date=15 March 2020|quote=In the riots that swept northeastern Delhi, Muslims mobilized to counter perceived threats and clashed with Hindus. A two-lane road separates Muslim-dominated Mustafabad from Hindu-dominated Bhagirathi Vihar. Hindus say a large mob approached from the Muslim side Tuesday night, throwing stones and Molotov cocktails and firing guns. “It became difficult to save our lives,” said Yogesh Kumar, 24, an accountant. “When the fire spreads, everything gets torched,” Sanjay Kumar, 40, said bitterly as he looked around at the destroyed storefronts and burned facades along a lane leading from the main road. He blamed Kapil Mishra, the BJP leader who issued the original threat to protesters who mounted a sit-in.}}</ref>


The Indian government swiftly characterised the violence to be spontaneous.<ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1" /> The ], which is directly overseen by India's ], moved into the area in strength on 26 February 2020 after the ] had ordered it to help remove injured victims to hospitals.<ref name="veconomist-2" /><ref name=economist-2020-3-12>{{citation|title=First the mob, then the law|work=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/03/12/victims-of-rioting-in-india-are-bashed-by-the-police-and-courts-too|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=15 March 2020|quote=During the riots in Delhi, it was only after the high court ordered police to help evacuate wounded people to hospital that the city’s 80,000-person police force began to intervene, after 48 hours of arson and murder.}}</ref> India's ], ], visited the area; the prime minister, ], made an appeal for peace on Twitter.<ref name="veconomist-2" /> The Delhi police have been accused by the affected citizens, eyewitnesses, human rights organizations and Muslim leaders around the world of falling short in protecting Muslims.<ref name="npr-3-7-20-frayer" /> Some policemen were accused of joining the violence.<ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-2">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=6 March 2020|title=In Delhi's worst violence in decades, a man watched his brother burn|work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-delhis-worst-violence-in-decades-a-man-watched-his-brother-burn/2020/03/05/892dbb12-5e45-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html |access-date=6 March 2020|quote=The police force which is directly overseen by the central government has come under criticism for failing to stop the violence. Witnesses say some officers joined the attacks on Muslims.}}</ref> Videos showed police acting in a coordinated manner against Muslims, on occasion purposefully helping Hindu gangs. Some researchers accused the police of deliberately deploying too few officers, with inadequate firepower, and a police commander said officers were ordered to deposit their guns at station houses.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-6>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=Now, more evidence is emerging that the Delhi police, who are under the direct command of Mr. Modi’s government and have very few Muslim officers, concertedly moved against Muslims and at times actively helped the Hindu mobs that rampaged in New Delhi in late February, burning down Muslim homes and targeting Muslim families.}}</ref> In the midst of prevailing anti-Muslim attitudes, senior lawyers in Delhi are not accepting cases on behalf of the riot victims.<ref name=telegraph-london-2020-3-13>{{citation|title=Lawyers representing Delhi riot victims 'attacked by police' |first1=Joe|last1=Wallen|date=13 March 2020|location=New Delhi|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/13/lawyers-representing-delhi-riot-victims-attacked-police/|accessdate=15 March 2020|quote=Many senior lawyers are refusing to take up cases on behalf of the victims of the riots amidst wider anti-Muslim sentiment, stoked by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Instead, volunteer lawyers - who are typically young and Muslim and from organisations like the Indian Civil Liberties Union - are taking on cases for free.}}</ref> After the violence had abated in the thickly-settled mixed Hindu-Muslim neighbourhoods of North East Delhi, some Hindu organisations continued to parade alleged Hindu victims of Muslim violence in an attempt to reshape the accounting of events and to further inflame hostility towards Muslims.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-7>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=The religiously mixed and extremely crowded neighborhoods in northeastern Delhi that were on fire in late February have cooled. But some Hindu politicians continue to lead so-called peace marches, trotting out casualties of the violence with their heads wrapped in white medical tape, trying to upend the narrative and make Hindus seem like the victims, which is stoking more anti-Muslim hatred.}}</ref> About 1,000 Muslims sought shelter in a relief camp on the fringes of Delhi.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-5>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote= Some Muslims are leaving their neighborhoods, having lost all faith in the police. More than 1,000 have piled into a camp for internally displaced people that is rising on Delhi's outskirts.}}</ref> Gangs of Hindus appeared in several Muslim neighbourhoods in the days preceding the Hindu festival of ], celebrated in 2020 on 9 March, to scare Muslims into abandoning their homes.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-4>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote= India's population is about 80 percent Hindu, and gangs of Hindus threatened Muslims in several Delhi neighborhoods to leave before the Hindu holiday Holi that was celebrated this week.}}</ref> In the midst of prevailing anti-Muslim attitudes, senior lawyers in Delhi were not accepting cases on behalf of the riot victims.<ref name=telegraph-london-2020-3-13>{{citation|title=Lawyers representing Delhi riot victims 'attacked by police' |first1=Joe|last1=Wallen|date=13 March 2020|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/13/lawyers-representing-delhi-riot-victims-attacked-police/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/13/lawyers-representing-delhi-riot-victims-attacked-police/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=15 March 2020|quote=Many senior lawyers are refusing to take up cases on behalf of the victims of the riots amidst wider anti-Muslim sentiment, stoked by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Instead, volunteer lawyers who are typically young and Muslim and from organisations like the Indian Civil Liberties Union are taking on cases for free.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Among Hindus and Muslims who continued to live in their neighbourhoods, the violence created potentially long-living divisions.<ref name=reuters-jain-ahmed-2020-3-16/> For at least two weeks after the rioting, they avoided each other during the day and at night blocked their lanes with barriers.<ref name=reuters-jain-ahmed-2020-3-16>{{citation|last1=Jain|first1=Rupam|last2=Ahmed|first2=Aftab|title=In Indian capital, riots deepen a Hindu-Muslim divide|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-citizenship-protests-divide-ins/in-indian-capital-riots-deepen-a-hindu-muslim-divide-idUSKBN2130DZ|date=16 March 2020|access-date=26 March 2020|quote=But the riots that raged through the district last month appear to have cleaved lasting divisions in the community ...During the day, Hindus and Muslims shun each other in the alleys of the Delhi districts that were hardest hit by the unrest in February. At night, when the threat of violence is greater, they are physically divided by barricades that are removed in the morning.}}</ref>

Although the violence has abated in the thickly settled mixed Hindu-Muslim neighbourhoods of North East Delhi, some Hindu leaders have taken to parading alleged Hindu victims of Muslim violence in an attempt to reshape the accounting of events and to further inflame hostility towards Muslims.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-7>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote=The religiously mixed and extremely crowded neighborhoods in northeastern Delhi that were on fire in late February have cooled. But some Hindu politicians continue to lead so-called peace marches, trotting out casualties of the violence with their heads wrapped in white medical tape, trying to upend the narrative and make Hindus seem like the victims, which is stoking more anti-Muslim hatred.}}</ref> Gangs of Hindus appeared in several Muslim neighbourhoods in the days preceding the Hindu festival of ], celebrated on 9 March 2020, to scare Muslims into abandoning their homes.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-4>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote= India’s population is about 80 percent Hindu, and gangs of Hindus threatened Muslims in several Delhi neighborhoods to leave before the Hindu holiday Holi that was celebrated this week.}}</ref> About 1,000 Muslims have sought shelter in a relief camp on the fringes of Delhi.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-5>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html|quote= Some Muslims are leaving their neighborhoods, having lost all faith in the police. More than 1,000 have piled into a camp for internally displaced people that is rising on Delhi’s outskirts.}}</ref>

Throughout the riots, many Hindus and Muslims, as well as those of other faiths, showed ] by protecting one another and each other's houses of worship, as well as praying in interfaith solidarity with one another.<ref name="Bhalla2020"/><ref name="Sharma2020"/><ref name="GN2020"/><ref name="Barton2020"/><ref name="EllisPetersen2020"/><ref name="Vatican2020"/>


==Background== ==Background==
{{See also|Citizenship Amendment Act protests}}<!-- STOP removing this. The background section is nothing more than an excerpt. --> {{See also|Citizenship Amendment Act protests}}<!-- STOP removing this. The background section is nothing more than an excerpt. -->
] began across India in December 2019 in response to the passage of the ] (CAA), which allows fast-tracked naturalisation for immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belonging to six religions vis-à-vis Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Buddhism. The Act has been seen as discriminatory to Muslims and threatening to their existence in India when combined with the anticipated ] (NRC).<ref name="TimeModiOtherWay">{{cite news|author=Rana Ayyub|url=https://time.com/5791759/narendra-modi-india-delhi-riots-violence-muslim/|title=Narendra Modi Looks the Other Way as New Delhi Burns|date=28 February 2020|newspaper=TIME}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ten killed in Delhi violence during Trump visit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51612461 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="BBC4Jan">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50902909|title=Shaheen Bagh: The women occupying Delhi street against citizenship law – 'I don't want to die proving I am Indian'|last=|first=|date=4 January 2020|work=BBC|access-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108140153/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50902909|archive-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/portraits-of-resilience-the-new-year-in-shaheen-bagh-11577952208794.html|title=Portraits of resilience: the new year in Shaheen Bagh|last=Bakshi|first=Asmita|date=2 January 2020|website=Livemint|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113064807/https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/portraits-of-resilience-the-new-year-in-shaheen-bagh-11577952208794.html|archive-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="antiCAA">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/shaheen-bagh-residents-brave-the-cold-as-anti-caa-stir-enters-day-15/article30422794.ece|title=Shaheen Bagh residents brave the cold as anti-CAA stir enters Day 15|date=29 December 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=13 January 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ] began across India in December 2019 in response to the passage of the ] (CAA), which allows fast-tracked naturalisation for immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belonging to six religions vis-à-vis Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Buddhism. The Act has been seen as discriminatory to Muslims and threatening to their existence in India when combined with the anticipated ] (NRC).<ref>{{cite news |title=Ten killed in Delhi violence during Trump visit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51612461 |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="BBC4Jan">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50902909|title=Shaheen Bagh: The women occupying Delhi street against citizenship law – 'I don't want to die proving I am Indian'|date=4 January 2020|work=BBC|access-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108140153/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50902909|archive-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/portraits-of-resilience-the-new-year-in-shaheen-bagh-11577952208794.html|title=Portraits of resilience: the new year in Shaheen Bagh|last1=Bakshi|first1=Asmita|date=2 January 2020|website=Livemint|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113064807/https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/portraits-of-resilience-the-new-year-in-shaheen-bagh-11577952208794.html|archive-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="antiCAA">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/shaheen-bagh-residents-brave-the-cold-as-anti-caa-stir-enters-day-15/article30422794.ece|title=Shaheen Bagh residents brave the cold as anti-CAA stir enters Day 15|date=29 December 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=13 January 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


Several anti-CAA protests were held in New Delhi. Some protesters burned vehicles and pelted stones at Security forces.<ref name="Livemint15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/caa-violence-arson-in-south-delhi-as-protesters-torch-four-buses-two-injured-11576412295374.html|title=CAA: Violence, arson in south Delhi as protesters torch four buses; two injured|date=15 December 2019|website=Livemint|access-date=1 March 2020|quote=Four buses were set ablaze by a mob and two fire officials were injured in stone pelting as the protests against the newly enacted Citizenship Act" (...) "The situation turned critical when a bus was burned by the protestors and police got into action}}</ref> In ], protesters blocked roads, which led to a traffic jam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/you-have-right-to-protest-but-do-not-block-roads-supreme-court-to-shaheen-bagh-1647293-2020-02-17|title=Shaheen Bagh: Protest but don't block roads, SC tells protesters; appoints mediator|first=Aneesha|last=Mathur|date=February 17, 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> Several anti-CAA protests were held in New Delhi. Some protesters burned vehicles and pelted stones at security forces.<ref name="Livemint15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/caa-violence-arson-in-south-delhi-as-protesters-torch-four-buses-two-injured-11576412295374.html|title=CAA: Violence, arson in south Delhi as protesters torch four buses; two injured|date=15 December 2019|website=Livemint|access-date=1 March 2020|quote=Four buses were set ablaze by a mob and two fire officials were injured in stone pelting as the protests against the newly enacted Citizenship Act" (...) "The situation turned critical when a bus was burned by the protestors and police got into action}}</ref> In ], protesters blocked roads, which led to a traffic jam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/you-have-right-to-protest-but-do-not-block-roads-supreme-court-to-shaheen-bagh-1647293-2020-02-17|title=Shaheen Bagh: Protest but don't block roads, SC tells protesters; appoints mediator|first1=Aneesha|last1=Mathur|date=17 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref>


The ] was held on 8 February 2020, in which the ] (BJP) was defeated by the ]; widespread usage of incendiary slogans by BJP equating the protesters to anti-national elements and asking for them to be shot were noted. Delhi BJP chief, ] has since attributed hate speeches by fellow party-candidate Kapil Mishra (who coined the slogans) as a cause of the BJP defeat.<ref name="NYTRoots">{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/world/asia/delhi-riots-kapil-mishra.html|title=The Roots of the Delhi Riots: A Fiery Speech and an Ultimatum|date=2020-02-26|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-05|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Yasir|first3=Sameer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hate-speech-cost-bjp-delhi-elections-people-like-kapil-mishra-should-be-removed-manoj-tiwari-1649227-2020-02-23|title=Hate speech cost BJP Delhi elections, people like Kapil Mishra should be removed: Manoj Tiwari|date=23 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref> The ] was held on 8 February 2020, in which the ] (BJP) was defeated by the ] (AAP); widespread usage of incendiary slogans by BJP equating the protesters to anti-national elements and asking for them to be shot were noted.{{efn|At a rally in Delhi, a ] minister shouted {{transliteration|hi|''Desh ke ġaddāroṉ ko''}} ("What's to be done with the traitors to the nation?") and the crowd screamed back, {{transliteration|hi|''Goli māro sāloṉ ko''}} ("Shoot the bastards!").<ref>{{cite web |title=The Graveyard Talks Back |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/literature/arundhati-roy-the-graveyard-talks-back |work=Caravan Magazine |access-date=12 March 2020}}</ref>}} Delhi BJP chief, ], has since attributed hate speeches by fellow party-candidate ] (who coined the slogans) as a cause of the BJP defeat.<ref name="NYTRoots">{{Cite news|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/world/asia/delhi-riots-kapil-mishra.html|title=The Roots of the Delhi Riots: A Fiery Speech and an Ultimatum|date=26 February 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 March 2020|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Yasir|first3=Sameer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hate-speech-cost-bjp-delhi-elections-people-like-kapil-mishra-should-be-removed-manoj-tiwari-1649227-2020-02-23|title=Hate speech cost BJP Delhi elections, people like Kapil Mishra should be removed: Manoj Tiwari|date=23 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref>


On 22 February, around 500 to 1,000 protesters, including women, began a ] protest near the ]. The protest blocked a stretch of ]–]–] road, as well as the entry and exit to the metro station.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jaffrabad anti-CAA protests: Over 500 women block road connecting Seelampur with Maujpur and Yamuna Vihar; Delhi Metro shuts station |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/jaffrabad-anti-caa-protests-over-500-women-block-road-connecting-seelampur-with-maujpur-and-yamuna-vihar-delhi-metro-shuts-station-8076371.html |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=The First Post |date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Roses">{{cite news |title=Began with roses, ended with bullets: How CAA protests in Delhi unfolded |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-jafrabad-maujpur-stirs-began-with-roses-but-ended-with-bullets/story-lb7ZwnsAfdSkRHXyJUs49L.html |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2020 }}</ref> According to the protesters, the sit-in was in solidarity with the ''] ]'' called by the ], which was scheduled to begin on 23 February. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at the site.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anti-CAA Protesters Block Seelampur-Jaffrabad Road, Cops Deployed |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/anti-caa-protesters-block-seelampur-jafrabad-road-police-deployed-bhim-army-chandrashekhar-azad |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=The Quint |date=23 February 2020}}</ref> On 22 February, around 500 to 1,000 protesters, including women, began a ] protest near the ]. The protest blocked a stretch of ]–]–] road, as well as the entry and exit to the metro station.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jaffrabad anti-CAA protests: Over 500 women block road connecting Seelampur with Maujpur and Yamuna Vihar; Delhi Metro shuts station |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/jaffrabad-anti-caa-protests-over-500-women-block-road-connecting-seelampur-with-maujpur-and-yamuna-vihar-delhi-metro-shuts-station-8076371.html |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=The First Post |date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Roses">{{cite news |title=Began with roses, ended with bullets: How CAA protests in Delhi unfolded |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-jafrabad-maujpur-stirs-began-with-roses-but-ended-with-bullets/story-lb7ZwnsAfdSkRHXyJUs49L.html |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2020 }}</ref> According to the protesters, the sit-in was in solidarity with the ''] ]'' called by the ], which was scheduled to begin on 23 February. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at the site.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anti-CAA Protesters Block Seelampur-Jaffrabad Road, Cops Deployed |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/anti-caa-protesters-block-seelampur-jafrabad-road-police-deployed-bhim-army-chandrashekhar-azad |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=The Quint |date=23 February 2020}}</ref>


==Timeline== ==Timeline==
===23 February and incitement=== ===23 February and incitement===
On 23 February between 3.30 p.m. and 4 p.m., ] (BJP) leader ] and his supporters reached a protest site at Maujpur Chowk "to give an answer to Jaffrabad ".<ref name="NDTV1" /> Mishra then spoke out in a rally against the CAA protesters{{efn|Previously, on 17 December 2019, violence occurred during the CAA-protests in the Seelampur area, in North East Delhi. On 3 January 2020, DCP Surya told media that adequate security personnel and proper security arrangements were in place in the Seelampur area and no further gatherings and violence were expected.<ref>{{cite news |title=No gathering expected, adequate security deployed in Seelampur: DCP Ved Prakash |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/no-gathering-expected-adequate-security-deployed-in-seelampur-dcp-ved-prakash20200103131121/ |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=] (ANI) |date=3 January 2020}}</ref>}}<ref name="TimeModiOtherWay" /> and threatened to take matters into his own hands if the police failed to disperse the protesters from the Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh areas in three days' time.<ref name="Mishra DNA 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-two-complaints-filed-against-bjp-leader-kapil-mishra-for-inciting-violence-in-north-east-delhi-2814932|title=Two complaints filed against BJP leader Kapil Mishra for inciting violence in North-East Delhi|date=25 February 2020|work=DNA India|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kapil-mishra-warns-cops-clear-road-in-3-days-after-that-we-won-t-listen-to-you/story-Ppd9qPXknizVMsaLsFIFTI.html|title=Kapil Mishra warns cops: Clear road in 3 days... after that we won't listen to you'|date=24 February 2020|work=The Hindustan Times|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Gambhir 25 Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-gautam-gambhir-says-kapil-mishras-speech-unacceptable-2185318|title="Kapil Mishra's Speech Unacceptable": BJP's Gautam Gambhir On Delhi Violence|date=25 February 2020|work=NDTV.com|accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref> This has been widely reported to be the major inciting factor:<ref name="NYTRoots" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-caa-protest-death-toll-kapil-mishra-communal-clash-6286950/|title=Divided in violence, united in grief: Families of dead say hate is to blame|date=26 February 2020|publisher=The Indian Express|accessdate=27 February 2020}}</ref> however, Mishra rejects the allegations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/defiant-bjp-leader-kapil-mishra-says-did-not-commit-crime-by-supporting-caa/article30920351.ece|title=Delhi violence: Defiant BJP leader Kapil Mishra says did not commit crime by supporting CAA|date=26 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=26 February 2020|others=PTI|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 23 February between 3.30{{nbsp}}p.m. and 4{{nbsp}}p.m., BJP leader ] and his supporters reached a protest site at Maujpur Chowk "to give an answer to Jaffrabad ".<ref name="NDTV1" /> Mishra then spoke out in a rally against the CAA protesters{{efn|Previously, on 17 December 2019, violence occurred during the CAA-protests in the Seelampur area, in North East Delhi. On 3 January 2020, DCP Surya told media that adequate security personnel and proper security arrangements were in place in the Seelampur area and no further gatherings and violence were expected.<ref>{{cite news |title=No gathering expected, adequate security deployed in Seelampur: DCP Ved Prakash |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/no-gathering-expected-adequate-security-deployed-in-seelampur-dcp-ved-prakash20200103131121/ |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=] (ANI) |date=3 January 2020}}</ref>}} and threatened to take matters into his own hands if the police failed to disperse the protesters from the Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh areas in three days' time.<ref name="Mishra DNA 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-two-complaints-filed-against-bjp-leader-kapil-mishra-for-inciting-violence-in-north-east-delhi-2814932|title=Two complaints filed against BJP leader Kapil Mishra for inciting violence in North-East Delhi|date=25 February 2020|work=DNA India|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kapil-mishra-warns-cops-clear-road-in-3-days-after-that-we-won-t-listen-to-you/story-Ppd9qPXknizVMsaLsFIFTI.html|title=Kapil Mishra warns cops: Clear road in 3 days... after that we won't listen to you'|date=24 February 2020|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Gambhir 25 Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-gautam-gambhir-says-kapil-mishras-speech-unacceptable-2185318|title="Kapil Mishra's Speech Unacceptable": BJP's Gautam Gambhir On Delhi Violence|date=25 February 2020|work=NDTV.com|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> This has been widely reported to be the major inciting factor;<ref name="NYTRoots" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-caa-protest-death-toll-kapil-mishra-communal-clash-6286950/|title=Divided in violence, united in grief: Families of dead say hate is to blame|date=26 February 2020|work=The Indian Express|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> however, Mishra rejects the allegations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/defiant-bjp-leader-kapil-mishra-says-did-not-commit-crime-by-supporting-caa/article30920351.ece|title=Delhi violence: Defiant BJP leader Kapil Mishra says did not commit crime by supporting CAA|date=26 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=26 February 2020|agency=PTI|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2020}}


At approximately 4 p.m., protesters were reported to have hurled stones at the pro-CAA gathering at Maujpur Chowk and near a temple.<ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline">{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Munish |title=5, including cop, killed in clashes: How violence unfolded in northeast Delhi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-clashes-how-unfolded-northeast-sequence-1649674-2020-02-25 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The india Today |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> Between 9 to 11 p.m. clashes broke out between the anti-CAA and pro-CAA demonstrators in ], Maujpur Chowk, ] and Chand Bagh. Vehicles were gutted and shops were destroyed.<ref name="NDTV1">{{cite news |last1=Varma |first1=Shaylaja |title="We'll Be Peaceful Till Trump Leaves," BJP Leader Kapil Mishra Warns Delhi Police |url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/bjp-leader-kapil-mishras-3-day-ultimatum-to-delhi-police-to-clear-anti-caa-protest-jaffrabad-2184627 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The NDTV |date=24 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Won't listen after 3 days: Kapil Mishra's ultimatum to Delhi Police to vacate Jaffrabad roads |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/won-t-listen-after-3-days-bjp-kapil-mishra-ultimatum-to-delhi-police-to-vacate-jaffrabad-chand-bagh-roads-1649271-2020-02-23 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The India Today |date=23 February 2020}}</ref> The police used ] and ] to disperse the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |title=4 cases registered in Feb 23 violence, says Delhi Police |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/4-cases-registered-in-feb-23-violence-says-delhi-police-120022400512_1.html |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Business Standard |date=24 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline" /> At approximately 4{{nbsp}}p.m., protesters were reported to have hurled stones at the pro-CAA gathering at Maujpur Chowk and near a temple.<ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline">{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Munish |title=5, including cop, killed in clashes: How violence unfolded in northeast Delhi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-clashes-how-unfolded-northeast-sequence-1649674-2020-02-25 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The India Today |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> Between 9 and 11{{nbsp}}p.m., clashes broke out between the anti-CAA and pro-CAA demonstrators in ], Maujpur Chowk, ] and Chand Bagh. Vehicles were gutted and shops were destroyed.<ref name="NDTV1">{{cite news |last1=Varma |first1=Shaylaja |title="We'll Be Peaceful Till Trump Leaves," BJP Leader Kapil Mishra Warns Delhi Police |url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/bjp-leader-kapil-mishras-3-day-ultimatum-to-delhi-police-to-clear-anti-caa-protest-jaffrabad-2184627 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The NDTV |date=24 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Won't listen after 3 days: Kapil Mishra's ultimatum to Delhi Police to vacate Jaffrabad roads |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/won-t-listen-after-3-days-bjp-kapil-mishra-ultimatum-to-delhi-police-to-vacate-jaffrabad-chand-bagh-roads-1649271-2020-02-23 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The India Today |date=23 February 2020}}</ref> The police used ] and ] to disperse the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |title=4 cases registered in Feb 23 violence, says Delhi Police |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/4-cases-registered-in-feb-23-violence-says-delhi-police-120022400512_1.html |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Business Standard |date=24 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline" />

Seven hundred emergency calls were made to the police control room that day.<ref name="CitizenRewardHate17Mar">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/18463/Reward-of-Public-Money-If-Delhi-Police-Registers-Your-Hate-Speech-Complaint|title=Reward of Public Money If Delhi Police Registers Your Hate Speech Complaint|last1=Kumar|first1=Aman Hasan|first2=Utkarsh|last2=Roshan|website=The Citizen|date=17 March 2020|access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref>


===24 February=== ===24 February===
] is original. The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo is offered solely for context. This is not the photo published by that source.<ref name="npr-3-7-20-frayer"/>}}]] ]
] is original. The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo is offered solely for context. This is not the photo published by that source.<ref name="Tyre market">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gutted-tyre-market-has-a-story-to-tell/cid/1751279 |title=Gutted tyre market has a story to tell |work=] |date=March 5, 2020 |accessdate=March 23, 2020 |author=Ameen, Furquan}}</ref>}}]] ]
On the morning of 24 February, a pro-CAA mob arrived at an anti-CAA protest site at Jaffrabad and refused to leave until the anti-CAA protesters left the area. At around 12:30 p.m., protesters wearing masks and waving swords clashed with the police force.<ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline" /> By afternoon, violent clashes broke out in several areas of North East Delhi, including in the Gokulpuri and Kardampuri areas.<ref name="WireBartonTyre">{{cite news |last1=Barton |first1=Naomi |title=At Gokalpuri Tyre Market, Fire Rages as Hindutva Activists Shout Slogans |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/gokalpuri-tyre-market-fire-jai-shree-ram |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Wire |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> There was heavy stone pelting and vandalism of property. The police used tear gas and lathi charge against the protesters in the Chand Bagh area,<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-over-caa-northeast-delhi-tense-day-after-5-killed-in-caa-clashes-amid-donald-trump-vi-2185146|title=7 Dead In Delhi Clashes; Government Rules Out Calling Army, Say Sources|work=NDTV.com|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maujpur-protest-stone-throwing-violence-as-citizenship-law-supporters-protesters-clash-near-delhis-j-2184831|title=Cop Killed In Delhi Clashes Over CAA, Trump Due At 7:30 pm: 10 Points|website=NDTV.com|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref> but the protesters retaliated by throwing stones at the police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-videos-mob-attack-chand-bagh-6300568/|title=Watch: Delhi Police personnel caught in mob rampage during Chand Bagh violence|date=2020-03-05|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> A ], Ratan Lal, died of a bullet injury in this clash.<ref name="WireConstableKilled">{{cite news|url=https://thewire.in/rights/delhi-caa-clashes-kapil-mishra-jaffrabad|title=Head Constable, Six Civilians Killed in North East Delhi Violence|date=25 February 2020|work=The Wire|accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu24">{{Cite news|last=Trivedi|first=Saurabh|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/pro-anti-caa-groups-clash-in-northeast-delhis-maujpur/article30901937.ece|title=Policeman among 5 killed in Delhi violence over CAA|date=24 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 February 2020|last2=Bhandari|first2=Hemani|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="IT Ratan Lal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/constable-ratan-lal-died-of-bullet-injury-shot-dead-autopsy-report-1650095-2020-02-26|title=Constable Ratan Lal died of bullet injury not stone-pelting, says autopsy report|first=Tanseem|last=Haider|date=February 26, 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref>{{efn|Initial reports said that Ratan Lal had died of a head injury after being hit by a stone. However, the autopsy report said that a bullet was found in his body.<ref name="IT Ratan Lal"/>}} On the morning of 24 February, pro-CAA groups arrived at an anti-CAA protest site at Jaffrabad and refused to leave until the anti-CAA protesters left the area. At around 12:30{{nbsp}}p.m., protesters wearing masks and waving swords clashed with the police force.<ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline" /> By afternoon, violent clashes broke out in several areas of North East Delhi, including in the Gokulpuri and Kardampuri areas.<ref name="WireBartonTyre">{{cite news |last1=Barton |first1=Naomi |title=At Gokalpuri Tyre Market, Fire Rages as Hindutva Activists Shout Slogans |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/gokalpuri-tyre-market-fire-jai-shree-ram |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Wire |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> There was heavy stone pelting and vandalism of property. The police used tear gas and lathi charge against the protesters in the Chand Bagh area,<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-over-caa-northeast-delhi-tense-day-after-5-killed-in-caa-clashes-amid-donald-trump-vi-2185146|title=7 Dead in Delhi Clashes; Government Rules Out Calling Army, Say Sources|work=NDTV.com|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maujpur-protest-stone-throwing-violence-as-citizenship-law-supporters-protesters-clash-near-delhis-j-2184831|title=Cop Killed in Delhi Clashes Over CAA, Trump Due at 7:30&nbsp;pm: 10 Points|website=NDTV.com|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref> but the protesters retaliated by throwing stones at the police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-videos-mob-attack-chand-bagh-6300568/|title=Watch: Delhi Police personnel caught in mob rampage during Chand Bagh violence|date=5 March 2020|website=The Indian Express|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> A ], Ratan Lal, died of a bullet injury in this clash.<ref name="WireConstableKilled">{{cite news|url=https://thewire.in/rights/delhi-caa-clashes-kapil-mishra-jaffrabad|title=Head Constable, Six Civilians Killed in North East Delhi Violence|date=25 February 2020|work=The Wire|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu24">{{Cite news|last1=Trivedi|first1=Saurabh|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/pro-anti-caa-groups-clash-in-northeast-delhis-maujpur/article30901937.ece|title=Policeman among 5 killed in Delhi violence over CAA|date=24 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 February 2020|last2=Bhandari|first2=Hemani|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="IT Ratan Lal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/constable-ratan-lal-died-of-bullet-injury-shot-dead-autopsy-report-1650095-2020-02-26|title=Constable Ratan Lal died of bullet injury not stone-pelting, says autopsy report|first1=Tanseem|last1=Haider|date=26 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref>{{efn|Initial reports said that Ratan Lal had died of a head injury after being hit by a stone. However, the autopsy report said that a bullet was found in his body.<ref name="IT Ratan Lal"/>}}


In Bhajanpura, in afternoon a group numbering around 2000 attacked a petrol pump, chanting slogans of {{transl|hi|ISO|Āzādī}} ({{trans|'Freedom'}}) and carrying petrol bombs, sticks and weapons. They attacked the owner and employees of the petrol pump with sticks, burning vehicles and petrol tanks after looting available cash.<ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline" /><ref name="India Today0227">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/when-rioters-attacked-us-police-said-they-have-no-orders-to-act-delhi-victims-tell-india-today-1650507-2020-02-27|title=When rioters attacked us, police said they have no orders to act: Delhi victims tell India Today|date=27 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="news18bhajanpurapump">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/delhi-violence-burnt-vehicles-and-petrol-tanks-are-all-that-remain-in-bhajanpura-petrol-pump-2518323.html|title=Delhi Violence: Burnt Vehicles and Petrol Tanks Are All That Remain in Bhajanpura Petrol Pump|date=27 February 2020|website=news18|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> In Bhajanpura, in afternoon a group numbering around 2000 attacked a petrol pump, chanting slogans of {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Āzādī}} ({{translation|'Freedom'}}) and carrying petrol bombs, sticks and weapons. They attacked the owner and employees of the petrol pump with sticks, burning vehicles and petrol tanks after looting available cash.<ref name="IndiaTodayTimeline" /><ref name="India Today0227">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/when-rioters-attacked-us-police-said-they-have-no-orders-to-act-delhi-victims-tell-india-today-1650507-2020-02-27|title=When rioters attacked us, police said they have no orders to act: Delhi victims tell India Today|date=27 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="news18bhajanpurapump">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/delhi-violence-burnt-vehicles-and-petrol-tanks-are-all-that-remain-in-bhajanpura-petrol-pump-2518323.html|title=Delhi Violence: Burnt Vehicles and Petrol Tanks Are All That Remain in Bhajanpura Petrol Pump|date=27 February 2020|website=]|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>


Violence was also reported from the areas of Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Kardampuri, Babarpur, Gokulpuri and Shivpuri.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-violence-over-caa-protest-live-updates-northeast-delhi-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-chandbagh-bhajanpura-metro-dmrc-delhi-police-npr-nrc-latest-news-8082901.html|title=Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest LIVE Updates: Police uses tear gas to disperse crowds in Chandbagh as fresh violence erupts; Kapil Mishra's speech to be probed|website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/north-east-delhi-violence-capital-remains-edge-4-die-fresh-clashes-caa-donald-trump-visit-1649643-2020-02-25|title=Delhi violence: Capital remains on edge as 5 die in fresh clashes during Trump visit|date=25 February 2020|website=India Today|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> ] (ban on assembly) was imposed in all the affected areas but to little effect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/northeast-delhi-violence-fresh-stone-pelting-in-maujpur-kejriwal-calls-urgent-meeting-1164929|title=Northeast Delhi Violence: Fresh Stone Pelting In Maujpur & Brahmpuri; Arson In Karawal Nagar|date=25 February 2020|website=ABP News|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-violence-live-northeast-regions-maujpur-jaffrabad-chandbagh-bhajanpura-tense-caa-protests-amit-shah-arvind-kejriwal-meet-police-updates/370564/|title=Death toll rises to 11, High Court asks CBSE board to consider rescheduling exam for centres in northeast Delhi|date=25 February 2020|website=ThePrint|url-status=live|access-date=}}</ref> In Jaffrabad, a man, allegedly linked with the anti-CAA side, opened fire at the police, before being arrested days later in Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/man-who-opened-fire-at-police-during-delhi-violence-arrested-from-uttar-pradesh/story-e0GfQbcdyF10I3VBdxLxpL.html|title=Man who pointed gun at police during Delhi violence arrested from Uttar Pradesh|date=2020-03-03|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/delhi-violence-jafrabad-shooter-falsely-identified-as-part-of-pro-caa-mob/|title=Delhi violence: Jafrabad shooter falsely identified as part of pro-CAA mob|date=2020-02-24|website=Alt News|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref> Violence was also reported from the areas of Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Kardampuri, Babarpur, Gokulpuri and Shivpuri.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-violence-over-caa-protest-live-updates-northeast-delhi-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-chandbagh-bhajanpura-metro-dmrc-delhi-police-npr-nrc-latest-news-8082901.html|title=Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest LIVE Updates: Police uses tear gas to disperse crowds in Chandbagh as fresh violence erupts; Kapil Mishra's speech to be probed|website=Firstpost|date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/north-east-delhi-violence-capital-remains-edge-4-die-fresh-clashes-caa-donald-trump-visit-1649643-2020-02-25|title=Delhi violence: Capital remains on edge as 5 die in fresh clashes during Trump visit|date=25 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> ] (ban on assembly) was imposed in all the affected areas but to little effect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/northeast-delhi-violence-fresh-stone-pelting-in-maujpur-kejriwal-calls-urgent-meeting-1164929|title=Northeast Delhi Violence: Fresh Stone Pelting In Maujpur & Brahmpuri; Arson In Karawal Nagar|date=25 February 2020|website=ABP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-violence-live-northeast-regions-maujpur-jaffrabad-chandbagh-bhajanpura-tense-caa-protests-amit-shah-arvind-kejriwal-meet-police-updates/370564/|title=Death toll rises to 11, High Court asks CBSE board to consider rescheduling exam for centres in northeast Delhi|date=25 February 2020|website=ThePrint}}</ref> In Jaffrabad, a man, allegedly linked with the anti-CAA side, opened fire at the police, before being arrested days later in Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/man-who-opened-fire-at-police-during-delhi-violence-arrested-from-uttar-pradesh/story-e0GfQbcdyF10I3VBdxLxpL.html|title=Man who pointed gun at police during Delhi violence arrested from Uttar Pradesh|date=3 March 2020|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/delhi-violence-jafrabad-shooter-falsely-identified-as-part-of-pro-caa-mob/|title=Delhi violence: Jafrabad shooter falsely identified as part of pro-CAA mob|date=24 February 2020|website=Alt News|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>


In Shiv Vihar, in the afternoon, several shops and homes owned by Hindus were torched by a Muslim mob. Later, mutilated bodies of workers were recovered from the site. A massive parking lot with 170 cars was burned by a mob.<ref name="theprint27">{{cite news |title=Anger towards 'other side' echoes in Hindu-dominated areas of riot-hit Northeast Delhi |url= https://theprint.in/india/anger-towards-other-side-echoes-in-hindu-dominated-areas-of-riot-hit-northeast-delhi/372502/|accessdate=3 March 2020 |work=theprint |date=27 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes2 March">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/shiv-vihar-residents-recall-horror-when-170-cars-went-up-in-flames/story-hcnLsfmL76vNodNv7H5X4L.html|title='What hell looks like': When 170 cars went up in flames during Delhi riots|date=2020-03-02|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref><ref name="ScrollBarricadesOvernight">{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/954574/divided-city-how-barricades-came-up-overnight-between-hindu-and-muslim-neighbourhoods-in-delhi|title=Divided city: How barricades came up overnight between Hindu and Muslim neighbourhoods in Delhi|last=Kohli|first=Vijayta Lalwani & Karnika|website=Scroll.in|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref> In the evening around 8:30 p.m., a tyre market (predominantly owned by Muslims) was set on fire with the screaming of "''Jai Shri Ram''" being heard.<ref name="WireBartonTyre"/><ref name="WireConstableKilled"/> Later that night, at around 10:30 p.m., a mob beat Monu Kumar and his father Vinod Kumar with sticks, stones and swords while screaming "'']''". Vinod Kumar died on the spot.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-gtb-hospital-deaths|title=At GTB Hospital, Families of Delhi Riot Victims Wait for Bodies to Be Released|website=The Wire|date=26 February 2020|accessdate=5 March 2020}}</ref> On that day, five people died including a police constable and four civilians.<ref name="The Hindu24"/> In Shiv Vihar, in the afternoon, several shops and homes owned by Hindus were torched by a Muslim mob. Later, mutilated bodies of workers were recovered from the site. A massive parking lot with 170 cars was burned by a mob.<ref name="theprint27">{{cite news |title=Anger towards 'other side' echoes in Hindu-dominated areas of riot-hit Northeast Delhi |url= https://theprint.in/india/anger-towards-other-side-echoes-in-hindu-dominated-areas-of-riot-hit-northeast-delhi/372502/|access-date=3 March 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=27 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes2 March">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/shiv-vihar-residents-recall-horror-when-170-cars-went-up-in-flames/story-hcnLsfmL76vNodNv7H5X4L.html|title='What hell looks like': When 170 cars went up in flames during Delhi riots|date=2 March 2020|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="ScrollBarricadesOvernight">{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/954574/divided-city-how-barricades-came-up-overnight-between-hindu-and-muslim-neighbourhoods-in-delhi|title=Divided city: How barricades came up overnight between Hindu and Muslim neighbourhoods in Delhi|last1=Kohli|first1=Vijayta Lalwani & Karnika|website=Scroll.in|date=28 February 2020 |access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> In the evening around 8:30{{nbsp}}p.m., a tyre market (predominantly owned by Muslims) was set on fire with the screaming of "''Jai Shri Ram''" being heard.<ref name="WireBartonTyre"/><ref name="WireConstableKilled"/> Later that night, at around 10:30{{nbsp}}p.m., a mob beat a Hindu man and his elderly father travelling on a scooter with sticks, stones and swords while screaming "'']''". The man died on the spot.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-gtb-hospital-deaths|title=At GTB Hospital, Families of Delhi Riot Victims Wait for Bodies to Be Released|website=The Wire|date=26 February 2020|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> On that day, five people died including a police constable and four civilians.<ref name="The Hindu24"/>


Three thousand five hundred emergency calls were made to the police control room that day.<ref name="PCR Calls" /> The ] stated that it had attended 45 calls from areas in northeast Delhi and three firemen were injured, on 24 February. While attending calls, a fire engine was attacked with stones, while another fire engine was set on fire by rioters.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" /> 3,500 emergency calls were made to the police control room that day.<ref name="CitizenRewardHate17Mar" /><ref name="PCR Calls">{{cite news |title=Cops Got 7,500 Calls For Help On Day 3 Of Delhi Violence: Sources |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cops-got-7-500-calls-for-help-on-day-3-of-delhi-violence-sources-2187030|access-date=28 February 2020|publisher=NDTV|first1=Mukesh|last1=Singh Sengar|date=28 February 2020}}</ref> The ] stated that it had attended 45 calls from areas in northeast Delhi and three firemen were injured, on 24 February. While attending calls, a fire engine was attacked with stones, while another fire engine was set on fire by rioters.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" />


===25 February=== ===25 February===
] is original. The following reference to a published source is offered solely for context. This photo was not published by that source.<ref name=hindu=3-7-20>{{citation|title=Delhi violence. When the Centre cannot hold, on communal fault lines, state apathy and hope that lingers amidst despair|first1=Anuradha|last1=Raman|first2=Bindu |last2=Shajan Perappadan|date=7 March 2020|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-when-the-centre-cannot-hold-on-communal-fault-lines-state-apathy-and-hope-that-lingers-amidst-despair/article31003800.ece|accessdate=12 March 2020|quote=The Auliya mosque too faced the ire of the mobs. There was an explosion of gas cylinders inside the mosque.}}</ref>}}]] On 25 February, stone pelting was reported from Maujpur, Brahampuri and other neighbouring areas. Around 5 AM in Brahmpuri, Atul Kumar was shot during a morning walk. ] were deployed in the worst affected areas.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" /> It was a full-blown riot with intense religious sloganeering and violence from both sides.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thapliyal|first1=Sanjay Kaw and Sunil|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260220/delhi-burns-as-frenzied-mobs-take-over-streets.html|title=Delhi burns as frenzied mobs take over streets|date=26 February 2020|work=Deccan Chronicle|accessdate=28 February 2020}}</ref> ] On 25 February, stone pelting was reported from Maujpur, Brahampuri and other neighbouring areas. ] were deployed in the worst affected areas.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" /> It was a full-blown riot with intense religious sloganeering and violence from both sides.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thapliyal|first1=Sanjay Kaw and Sunil|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260220/delhi-burns-as-frenzied-mobs-take-over-streets.html|title=Delhi burns as frenzied mobs take over streets|date=26 February 2020|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

In Ashok Nagar, a mosque was vandalized and a ] flag was placed on one of the minarets of the mosque. It was also reported that prayer mats of the mosque were burnt and torn pages from the ] were strewn outside the mosque.<ref name="BBC23killed">{{cite news |title=Delhi riots: 23 killed as Hindu and Muslim groups clash|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51639856 |access-date=26 February 2020 |website=BBC |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> A mob shouting the slogans {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Jai Śrī Rām}} ({{translation|"Hail Lord ]"}}) and {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Hindūō̃ kā Hindustān}} ({{translation|"India for Hindus"}}) marched around the mosque before setting it on fire and looting adjacent shops and houses. According to local residents, the attackers did not belong to the area.<ref name="Mosque burnt">{{cite news |title=Delhi Riots: Mosque Set on Fire in Ashok Nagar, Hanuman Flag Placed on Minaret |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-violence-mosque-set-on-fire-in-ashok-vihar-hanuman-flag-placed-on-top |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=The Wire}}</ref> After the first wave of violence by rioters, the police evacuated Muslim residents and took them to the police station. While the residents were away, a second mosque in Ashok Nagar and a third in Brijpuri were also torched along with a three-storey house and eight shops in the vicinity; the rioters could not be identified.<ref name="25 Dec IE Mosque">{{cite news |title=Delhi violence: Three mosques targeted, school burnt, shops & homes looted |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-ashok-nagar-school-mosque-6288437/ |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="IESchool">{{cite news |title=Delhi violence: How can anyone do this to my school, asks a past student |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-school-vandalisation-witness-account-6290025/ |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> Another mosque was vandalised in Gokulpuri.<ref name="ThePrint 25 Feb">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Fatima |title='Never thought Hindu-Muslim riots are possible in Delhi, we've always co-existed peacefully' |url=https://theprint.in/india/never-thought-hindu-muslim-riots-are-possible-in-delhi-weve-always-co-existed-peacefully/370982/ |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=25 February 2020}}</ref>


At 3{{nbsp}}p.m. in Durgapuri, Hindu and Muslim mobs clashed, pelting stones and shooting at each other. The rioters sported ] on their foreheads, and shouted religious slogans whilst shops and vehicles belonging to Muslims were exclusively torched. Police were not present initially in the area and arrived almost an hour later.<ref name="Durgapuri">{{cite news |last1=Bhandari |first1=Hemani |title=Up in flames: firing, stone throwing continue... no policeman in sight |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/up-in-flames-firing-stone-pelting-continue-no-policeman-in-sight/article30917600.ece |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
In Ashok Nagar, a mosque was vandalized and a ] flag was placed on one of the minarets of the mosque. It was also reported that prayer mats of the mosque were burnt and torn pages from the ] were strewn outside the mosque.<ref name="BBC23killed">{{cite news |title=Delhi riots: 23 killed as Hindu and Muslim groups clash
|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51639856 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |website=BBC |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> A mob sloganeering {{transl|hi|ISO|Jai Śrī Rām}} ({{trans|"Hail Lord ]"}}) and {{transl|hi|ISO|Hindūō̃ kā Hindustān}} ({{trans|"India for Hindus"}}) marched around the mosque before setting it on fire and looting adjacent shops and houses. According to local residents, the attackers did not belong to the area.<ref name="Mosque burnt">{{cite news |title=Delhi Riots: Mosque Set on Fire in Ashok Nagar, Hanuman Flag Placed on Minaret |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-violence-mosque-set-on-fire-in-ashok-vihar-hanuman-flag-placed-on-top |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=The Wire}}</ref> After the first wave of violence by rioters, the police evacuated Muslim residents and took them to the police station. While the residents were away, a second mosque in Ashok Nagar and a third in Brijpuri were also torched along with a three-storey house and eight shops in the vicinity; the rioters could not be identified.<ref name="25 Dec IE Mosque">{{cite news |title=Delhi violence: Three mosques targeted, school burnt, shops & homes looted |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-ashok-nagar-school-mosque-6288437/ |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="IESchool">{{cite news |title=Delhi violence: How can anyone do this to my school, asks a past student |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-school-vandalisation-witness-account-6290025/ |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> Another mosque was vandalised in Gokulpuri.<ref name="ThePrint 25 Feb">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Fatima |title='Never thought Hindu-Muslim riots are possible in Delhi, we've always co-existed peacefully' |url=https://theprint.in/india/never-thought-hindu-muslim-riots-are-possible-in-delhi-weve-always-co-existed-peacefully/370982/ |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=25 February 2020}}</ref>


At Gamri extension, a Hindu mob attacked a lane, and an 85-year-old woman was burnt to death when her house was set on fire.<ref name="Johari">{{cite news |last1=Johari |first1=Aarefa |title=An 85-year-old woman was burnt to death in her home in Delhi's Gamri extension |url=https://scroll.in/article/954422/an-85-year-old-woman-was-burnt-to-death-in-her-home-in-delhis-gamri-extension |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Scroll.in}}</ref> In Karawal Nagar, acid was thrown by protesters on the paramilitary personnel, who were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-acid-thrown-at-paramilitary-force-from-top-of-houses-in-karawal-nagar-1649974-2020-02-25|title=Delhi violence: Acid thrown at paramilitary forces from top of houses in Karawal Nagar|last1=Ojha|first1=Arvind|date=25 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> A Muslim man was shot and burnt to death by a mob in Shiv Vihar, with cries of "''Jai Shri Ram''" being heard.<ref name="wapo-3-6-20-slater-3">{{citation|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|last2=Masih|first2=Niha|date=6 March 2020|title=In Delhi's worst violence in decades, a man watched his brother burn|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-delhis-worst-violence-in-decades-a-man-watched-his-brother-burn/2020/03/05/892dbb12-5e45-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html |access-date=6 March 2020|quote=He heard shouts of "Jai Shri Ram,"... The neighbors disguised them as Hindus, applying a stripe of saffron paste to their foreheads and placing a saffron-colored scarf around Saleem's neck.}}</ref> People wielding sticks and iron rods were reported to be roaming streets in the areas of Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar localities.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb" />
At 3 p.m. in Durgapuri, Hindu and Muslim mobs clashed, pelting stones and shooting at each other. The rioters sported ] on their foreheads, and shouted religious slogans whilst shops and vehicles belonging to Muslims were exclusively torched. Police were not present initially in the area and arrived almost an hour later.<ref name="Durgapuri">{{cite news |last1=Bhandari |first1=Hemani |title=Up in flames: firing, stone throwing continue... no policeman in sight |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/up-in-flames-firing-stone-pelting-continue-no-policeman-in-sight/article30917600.ece |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


By 9:30{{nbsp}}p.m., it was reported that 13 people died due to violence.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb"/> Among the injured, more than 70 people suffered gunshot injuries. At 10{{nbsp}}p.m., ] orders were given to police in the riot-affected area.<ref name="Shoot25Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-live-updates/article30910539.ece|title=Delhi violence live updates: Shoot at sight orders issued in northeast Delhi|date=25 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref>
At Gamri extension, a Hindu mob attacked a lane, and an 85-year-old woman was burnt to death when her house was set on fire.<ref name="Johari">{{cite news |last1=Johari |first1=Aarefa |title=An 85-year-old woman was burnt to death in her home in Delhi's Gamri extension |url=https://scroll.in/article/954422/an-85-year-old-woman-was-burnt-to-death-in-her-home-in-delhis-gamri-extension |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=Scroll.in}}</ref> In Karawal Nagar, acid was thrown by protesters on the paramilitary personnel, who were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-acid-thrown-at-paramilitary-force-from-top-of-houses-in-karawal-nagar-1649974-2020-02-25|title=Delhi violence: Acid thrown at paramilitary forces from top of houses in Karawal Nagar|last=Ojha|first=Arvind|date=25 February 2020|website=India Today|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> People wielding sticks and iron rods were reported to be roaming streets in the areas of Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar localities.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb" />


The dead body of a trainee driver in the ] at Chanakyapuri, was found in a drain in Jaffrabad, a day after he went missing.<ref name="IB_Driver">Sources for trainee driver.
By 9:30{{nbsp}}p.m., it was reported that 13 people died due to violence.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb"/> Among the injured, more than 70 people suffered gunshot injuries. At 10 p.m., ] orders were given to police in the riot-affected area.<ref name="Shoot25Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-live-updates/article30910539.ece|title=Delhi violence live updates: Shoot at sight orders issued in northeast Delhi|date=25 February 2020|work=The Hindu|accessdate=25 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>


* {{cite news|date=26 February 2020|title=Intelligence Bureau officer found dead in Chand Bagh in Northeast Delhi|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-intelligence-bureau-officer-dead-chand-bagh-1650159-2020-02-26|access-date=1 March 2020}}
The dead body of Ankit Sharma, a trainee driver in the ] at Chanakyapuri, was found in a drain in Jaffrabad, a day after he went missing.<ref name="IB_Driver">Sources for trainee driver.
* {{cite news |title=Intelligence Bureau officer found dead in Chand Bagh in Northeast Delhi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-intelligence-bureau-officer-dead-chand-bagh-1650159-2020-02-26 |access-date=1 March 2020|date=26 February 2020 |work=India Today}} * {{cite news|last1=Taneja|first1=Nidhi|date=26 February 2020|title=Who was Ankit Sharma, the man who died in Delhi violence|work=indiatvnews.com|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/who-was-ankit-sharma-intelligence-bureau-officer-died-northeast-delhi-violence-592762|access-date=1 March 2020|quote=In 2017, the officer joined the Intelligence Bureau and was training as a driver.}}
* {{Cite web|title=AAP Councillor Refutes Allegations on IB Staffer's Killing, Had Tweeted SOS to Police|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/tahir-hussain-aap-ankit-sharma-killing|access-date=5 March 2020|website=The Wire|quote=Ankit, who was a security assistant in the IB and was undergoing training as a driver ... had joined the IB as a probationer in 2017.}}</ref> The circumstances leading to his death are under investigation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/intelligence-bureau-officer-ankit-sharma-found-dead-in-chand-bagh-in-northeast-delhi-hit-by-violence-2185946|title=Body Of Intelligence Officer Killed in Delhi Clashes Found in Drain|website=NDTV.com|date=26 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-delhi-riots-intelligence-officer-killed-body-found-in-drain-in-chand-bagh-area/347883|title=Delhi Riots: Intelligence Bureau Employee Killed, Body Found In Drain In Chand Bagh Area|website=Outlook India|date=26 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> with a lot of confusion regarding them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/03/05/did-the-media-spotlight-on-ankit-sharma-shed-clarity-on-his-murder-no|title=Did the media spotlight on Ankit Sharma shed clarity on his murder? No|website=Newslaundry|date=5 March 2020|first1=Ayush|last1=Tiwari|access-date=6 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Roy|first1=Krishna Pokharel, Vibhuti Agarwal and Rajesh|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-ruling-party-government-slammed-over-delhi-violence-11582734524|title=India's Ruling Party, Government Slammed Over Delhi Violence|date=26 February 2020|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=6 March 2020|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> According to a ] report, he was repeatedly stabbed, leading to his death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-ib-operative-ankit-sharma-brutally-stabbed-to-death-post-mortem-report/347976|title=Delhi Riots: IB Operative Ankit Sharma Brutally And Repeatedly Stabbed To Death, Says Post-Mortem Report|website=Outlook India|date=28 February 2020|access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref> ], who was an AAP councillor, was arrested for allegedly murdering Sharma.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Fatima |title=Tahir Hussain—the AAP councillor who faces murder charge now has left Chand Bagh divided |url=https://theprint.in/india/tahir-hussain-the-aap-councillor-who-faces-murder-charge-now-has-left-chand-bagh-divided/373222/ |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tahir Hussain Charged With Murder in Delhi Violence, Suspended By AAP |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-case-filed-against-aaps-tahir-hussain-for-murder-arson-2186844 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/accused-in-ib-staffer-s-killing-tahir-hussain-arrested-from-court/story-24Y6qkMVa1sfLc4vhLZZFP.html|title=Tahir Hussain, suspect in IB staffer's murder arrested, toll in Delhi riots rises to 53|date=5 March 2020|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref>
*{{cite news |last1=Taneja |first1=Nidhi |title=Who was Ankit Sharma, the man who died in Delhi violence |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/who-was-ankit-sharma-intelligence-bureau-officer-died-northeast-delhi-violence-592762 |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=indiatvnews.com |quote=In 2017, the officer joined the Intelligence Bureau and was training as a driver. |date=26 February 2020 |language=en}}
*{{cite news |title=Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma martyred; body recovered amid Delhi violence |url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/law-and-order/intelligence-bureau-ib-officer-ankit-sharma-martyred-body-recovered.html |accessdate=1 March 2020 |quote=Republic |publisher=Ankit Sharma had joined the Intelligence Bureau in 2017 and is reported to have been on probation. He was posted as a driver under training in Chanakyapuri as per sources. |date=26 February 2020}}
*{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/tahir-hussain-aap-ankit-sharma-killing|title=AAP Councillor Refutes Allegations on IB Staffer's Killing, Had Tweeted SOS to Police|website=The Wire|access-date=2020-03-05|quote=Ankit, who was a security assistant in the IB and was undergoing training as a driver ... had joined the IB as a probationer in 2017.}}</ref> The circumstances leading to his death are under investigation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/intelligence-bureau-officer-ankit-sharma-found-dead-in-chand-bagh-in-northeast-delhi-hit-by-violence-2185946|title=Body Of Intelligence Officer Killed In Delhi Clashes Found In Drain|website=NDTV.com|date=26 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-delhi-riots-intelligence-officer-killed-body-found-in-drain-in-chand-bagh-area/347883|title=Delhi Riots: Intelligence Bureau Employee Killed, Body Found In Drain In Chand Bagh Area|website=Outlook India|date=26 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> with a lot of confusion regarding them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/03/05/did-the-media-spotlight-on-ankit-sharma-shed-clarity-on-his-murder-no|title=Did the media spotlight on Ankit Sharma shed clarity on his murder? No|website=Newslaundry|date=5 March 2020|first=Ayush|last=Tiwari|access-date=2020-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Roy|first=Krishna Pokharel, Vibhuti Agarwal and Rajesh|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-ruling-party-government-slammed-over-delhi-violence-11582734524|title=India's Ruling Party, Government Slammed Over Delhi Violence|date=2020-02-26|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2020-03-06|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> According to a ] report, he was repeatedly stabbed, leading to his death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-ib-operative-ankit-sharma-brutally-stabbed-to-death-post-mortem-report/347976|title=Delhi Riots: IB Operative Ankit Sharma Brutally And Repeatedly Stabbed To Death, Says Post-Mortem Report|website=Outlook India|date=28 February 2020|access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref> Tahir Hussain, who was an ] (AAP) councillor, was arrested for allegedly murdering Sharma.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khan |first=Fatima |title=Tahir Hussain—the AAP councillor who faces murder charge now has left Chand Bagh divided |url=https://theprint.in/india/tahir-hussain-the-aap-councillor-who-faces-murder-charge-now-has-left-chand-bagh-divided/373222/ |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tahir Hussain Charged With Murder In Delhi Violence, Suspended By AAP |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-case-filed-against-aaps-tahir-hussain-for-murder-arson-2186844 |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/accused-in-ib-staffer-s-killing-tahir-hussain-arrested-from-court/story-24Y6qkMVa1sfLc4vhLZZFP.html|title=Tahir Hussain, suspect in IB staffer's murder arrested, toll in Delhi riots rises to 53|date=2020-03-05|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>


Seven thousand five hundred emergency calls were made to the police control room throughout the day, the highest in the week.<ref name="PCR Calls">{{cite news |title=Cops Got 7,500 Calls For Help On Day 3 Of Delhi Violence: Sources |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cops-got-7-500-calls-for-help-on-day-3-of-delhi-violence-sources-2187030 |accessdate=28 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> 7,500 emergency calls were made to the police control room throughout the day, the highest in the week.<ref name="CitizenRewardHate17Mar" /><ref name="PCR Calls" />


===26 February=== ===26 February===
The ], ], visited violence-affected areas of North East Delhi in the evening. However, reports of violence, arson and mob lynching emerged from Karawal Nagar, Maujpur and Bhajanpura later that night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-tweets-appeal-to-my-sisters-and-brothers-of-delhi-to-maintain-peace-and-brotherhood-2185982|title=Unrest Again In Delhi, 27 Killed In Clashes Since Sunday: 10 Updates|date=26 February 2020|website=NDTV.com|url-status=live|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> The ], ], visited violence-affected areas of North East Delhi in the evening. However, reports of violence, arson and mob lynching emerged from Karawal Nagar, Maujpur and Bhajanpura later that night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-tweets-appeal-to-my-sisters-and-brothers-of-delhi-to-maintain-peace-and-brotherhood-2185982|title=Unrest Again in Delhi, 27 Killed in Clashes Since Sunday: 10 Updates|date=26 February 2020|website=NDTV.com|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


One thousand, five hundred emergency calls were made to the police control room that day.<ref name="PCR Calls" /> Complaints of delayed post-mortem reports were aired from several hospitals while witnesses and affected individuals who claimed to be civilians gave statements. Some of them blamed Kapil Mishra for the riots while one individual stated that a mob attacked them with stones and swords while chanting the ].<ref name="WireGTB">{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-gtb-hospital-deaths|title=At GTB Hospital, Families of Delhi Riot Victims Wait for Bodies to Be Released|date=26 February 2020|first=Kabir|last=Agarwal|first2=Dheeraj|last2=Mishra|website=The Wire|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> 1,500 emergency calls were made to the police control room that day.<ref name="CitizenRewardHate17Mar" /><ref name="PCR Calls" /> Complaints of delayed post-mortem reports were heard from several hospitals while witnesses and affected individuals who claimed to be civilians gave statements. Some of them blamed Kapil Mishra for the riots while one individual stated that a mob attacked them with stones and swords while chanting the ].<ref name="WireGTB">{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-gtb-hospital-deaths|title=At GTB Hospital, Families of Delhi Riot Victims Wait for Bodies to Be Released|date=26 February 2020|first1=Kabir|last1=Agarwal|first2=Dheeraj|last2=Mishra|website=The Wire|access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref>


===27 February to 1 March=== ===27 to 29 February===
] is original. The following reference to a published source that includes the same photo is offered solely for context.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/09032020-riots-in-indias-capital-an-outcome-of-intoxicated-young-minds-with-hate-oped/ |title=Riots In India's Capital: An Outcome Of Intoxicated Young Minds With Hate – OpEd |work=Eurasia Review |date=March 9, 2020 |accessdate=March 10, 2020 |author=Ahmed, Saman}}</ref>}}]] ]
;27 February ;27 February
In Shiv Vihar, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., clashes were reported. Three injured persons were reported, one of whom had bullet wounds. A ], two shops, and a motorcycle were torched.<ref name="IE 27 Feb Live">{{cite news |title=Delhi violence LIVE updates: SIT to probe violence, death toll now at 38 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-live-updates-death-toll-maujpur-babarpur-kabirnagar-6287058/ |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> In Shiv Vihar, between 7{{nbsp}}a.m. and 9{{nbsp}}a.m., clashes were reported. Three injured persons were reported, one of whom had bullet wounds. A ], two shops, and a motorcycle were torched.<ref name="IE 27 Feb Live">{{cite news |title=Delhi violence LIVE updates: SIT to probe violence, death toll now at 38 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-live-updates-death-toll-maujpur-babarpur-kabirnagar-6287058/ |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 February 2020}}</ref>


;28 February ;28 February
A 60-year-old rag picker, who had stepped out of home assuming the situation had normalized, was attacked and died on way to the hospital due to head injuries.<ref name="28Feb Hindu">{{cite news |last1=Corresopondent |first1=Special |title=Delhi violence {{!}} 1 killed in fresh attack; toll touches 42 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-1-killed-in-fresh-attack-toll-touches-42/article30943549.ece |accessdate=28 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> A 60-year-old rag picker, who had stepped out of home assuming the situation had normalized, was attacked and died on way to the hospital due to head injuries.<ref name="28Feb Hindu">{{cite news|title=Delhi violence {{!}} 1 killed in fresh attack; toll touches 42 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-1-killed-in-fresh-attack-toll-touches-42/article30943549.ece |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=28 February 2020 }}</ref>


;29 February ;29 February
With no fresh cases of violence reported to the police on the day, the situation was said to be returning to normal with some shops reopening.<ref name="Returning to normal">{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/situation-returning-to-normal-in-riothit-northeast-delhi-some-shops-reopen/1748255 |title=Situation returning to normal in riot-hit northeast Delhi, some shops reopen |work=] |agency=] |date=February 29, 2020 |accessdate=March 9, 2020}}</ref> Thirteen cases were registered against people posting provocative content on social media.<ref name="13 cases">{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/delhi-violence-13-cases-registered-for-posting-provocative-content-on-social-media-120022901043_1.html |title=Delhi violence: 13 cases registered for posting provocative content on social media |work=] |date=February 29, 2020 |agency=] |accessdate=March 9, 2020}}</ref> With no fresh cases of violence reported to the police on the day, the situation was said to be returning to normal with some shops reopening.<ref name="Returning to normal">{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/situation-returning-to-normal-in-riothit-northeast-delhi-some-shops-reopen/1748255 |title=Situation returning to normal in riot-hit northeast Delhi, some shops reopen |work=] |agency=] |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> Thirteen cases were registered against people posting provocative content on social media.<ref name="13 cases">{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/delhi-violence-13-cases-registered-for-posting-provocative-content-on-social-media-120022901043_1.html |title=Delhi violence: 13 cases registered for posting provocative content on social media |work=] |date=29 February 2020 |agency=] |access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> In the Welcome area, one shop was set on fire.<ref name="HTPanicViolence">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/reports-of-tensions-in-southeast-and-west-delhi-are-rumours-says-delhi-police/story-3JLMvK8N6DJHcOjyPvb8uM.html|title=Panic grips Delhi after fresh violence rumours, police say situation normal|date=1 March 2020|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 March 2020|quote=No riot-related deaths were reported on Saturday but a shop was set on fire in the Welcome area, said police.}}</ref>

;1 March
In the Welcome area, one shop was set on fire on 1 March. Meanwhile, rumours of further violence were circulated on social media, following which the Delhi Police announced that the situation was "peaceful".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-rumours-police-distress-calls-west-south-east-north-east-delhi-1651645-2020-03-02|title=Delhi violence rumours: West, South East Delhi made most calls; riot-hit North East Delhi just 2|first=Chirag|last=Gothi|date=March 2, 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> Seven metro stations (Nawada, Nangloi, Tughlakabad, Tilak Nagar, Badarpur, Surajmal Stadium and Uttam Nagar west) were closed for an hour due to the panic caused by the rumours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-metro-dmrc-tilak-nagar-station-exit-entry-gates-closed-1651387-2020-03-01|title= DMRC closes entry, exit gates at 7 metro stations, resumes services in less than hour|date=March 1, 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref>


==Attacks on journalists== ==Attacks on journalists==
Several incidents of mobs attacking journalists were reported during the riots. A journalist of ''JK 24x7 News'' was shot by Anti-CAA protestors on 25 February while reporting in the Maujpur area.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked">{{cite news |title=One journalist shot at, two other reporters attacked by mob in Delhi riots |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/one-journalist-shot-two-other-reporters-attacked-mob-delhi-riots-118905 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=The News Minute |date=25 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= I was shot by Anti-CAA protestors', claims journalist who was attacked during Delhi riots|url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/journalist-claims-he-was-attacked-by-anti-caa-nrc-protesters.html|accessdate=6 March 2020 |work=republicworld|date=5 March 2020}}</ref> Two journalists of '']'' along with a cameraman were attacked by the mob while they were recording the torching of a mosque in the area. One of the journalists sustained severe injuries. A journalist involved in the same incident had to intervene and convince the mob that the journalists were Hindus to save them from further assault.<ref name="AlJazeeraJournos">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/indian-journalists-attacked-delhi-violence-200303053851224.html|title=How Indian journalists were attacked during Delhi violence|website=Al Jazeera|date=3 March 2020|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref> Several incidents of mobs attacking journalists were reported during the riots. A journalist of ''JK 24x7 News'' was shot {{Citation needed span|text=by Anti-CAA protestors|date=March 2023}} on 25 February while reporting in the Maujpur area.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked">{{cite news |title=One journalist shot at, two other reporters attacked by mob in Delhi riots |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/one-journalist-shot-two-other-reporters-attacked-mob-delhi-riots-118905 |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=The News Minute |date=25 January 2020}}</ref> Two journalists of '']'' along with a cameraman were attacked by the mob while they were recording the torching of a mosque in the area. One of the journalists sustained severe injuries. A journalist involved in the same incident had to intervene and convince the mob that the journalists were Hindus to save them from further assault.<ref name="AlJazeeraJournos">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/indian-journalists-attacked-delhi-violence-200303053851224.html|title=How Indian journalists were attacked during Delhi violence|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=3 March 2020|access-date=22 March 2020}}</ref>


On 25 February, a photojournalist for '']'' was heckled by the ] members while taking pictures of a building that had been set on fire. The group tried to put a "] on his forehead" claiming that it will "make his job easier" as he could then be identified as a Hindu by the rioters. They questioned his intentions of taking pictures of the building on fire and further threatened to remove his pants to reveal that he is not ], as evidence of being a Hindu.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" /><ref name="AlJazeeraJournos" /><ref name="FT 28 Feb">{{cite news |title=India riots: 'We were attacked because we are Muslim' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/484d22e6-5967-11ea-a528-dd0f971febbc |accessdate=29 February 2020 |work=Financial Times |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> The reporter was later approached by another rioter who demanded him to prove his religion.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" /> On 25 February, a photojournalist for '']'' was heckled by the ] members while taking pictures of a building that had been set on fire. The group tried to put a "] on his forehead" claiming that it will "make his job easier" as he could then be identified as a Hindu by the rioters. They questioned his intentions of taking pictures of the building on fire and further threatened to remove his pants to reveal that he is not ], as evidence of being a Hindu.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" /><ref name="AlJazeeraJournos" /><ref name="FT 28 Feb">{{cite news |title=India riots: 'We were attacked because we are Muslim' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/484d22e6-5967-11ea-a528-dd0f971febbc |access-date=29 February 2020 |work=Financial Times |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> The reporter was later approached by another rioter who demanded him to prove his religion.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" />


Several journalists shared their experience with rioters on ]. A journalist of '']'' tweeted that she was attacked by pro-CAA and ] protesters. She said that she had to plead with the mob, who were carrying stones and sticks, to escape from the site.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" /> Journalists of '']'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghosal |first1=Devjyot |title=Eventually, as the violence continued, it got too hot to work, and we pulled out. |url=https://twitter.com/DevjyotGhoshal/status/1231980528536080384 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |publisher=Twitter |date=24 February 2020}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pandey |first1=Tanushree |title=This is a riot! Protesters from both sides heckling & thrashing media persons. |url=https://twitter.com/TanushreePande/status/1231916334784475137 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |agency=Twitter |date=24 February 2020}}</ref> '']''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bose |first1=Adrija |title=The walk from Jaffrabad to Maujpur wasn't one bit easy. We were heckled and abused. |url=https://twitter.com/adrijabose/status/1232236663084081153 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |agency=Twitter |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> too stated that they were assaulted.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" /> Several journalists shared their experience with rioters on ]. A journalist of '']'' tweeted that she was attacked by pro-CAA and ] protesters. She said that she had to plead with the mob, who were carrying stones and sticks, to escape from the site.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" /> Journalists of '']'',<ref>{{cite tweet |last1=Ghosal |first1=Devjyot |title=Eventually, as the violence continued, it got too hot to work, and we pulled out. |user=DevjyotGhoshal |number=1231980528536080384 |access-date=25 February 2020 |date=24 February 2020}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite tweet |last1=Pandey |first1=Tanushree |user=TanushreePande |title=This is a riot! Protesters from both sides heckling & thrashing media persons. |number=1231916334784475137 |access-date=25 February 2020 |date=24 February 2020}}</ref> and '']''<ref>{{cite tweet |last1=Bose |first1=Adrija |user=adrijabose |title=The walk from Jaffrabad to Maujpur wasn't one bit easy. We were heckled and abused. |number=1232236663084081153 |access-date=25 February 2020 |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> too stated that they were assaulted.<ref name="NewsMinuteJournosAttacked" />


The '']'' reported that a motorcycle, which belonged to one of its photographers who was documenting the violence in ], was set on fire by a masked mob. After torching the motorcycle, the mob threatened, assaulted him and seized the memory card in his camera. They asked for his official identity card and took a photograph of it before letting him leave.<ref>{{cite news |title=HT photographer's motorcycle burnt |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-photographer-s-motorcycle-burnt/story-naQGBnDnWXnUwX0rSnmA6K.html |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2020}}</ref> The '']'' reported that a motorcycle, which belonged to one of its photographers who was documenting the violence in ], was set on fire by a masked mob. After torching the motorcycle, the mob threatened, assaulted him and seized the memory card in his camera. They asked for his official identity card and took a photograph of it before letting him leave.<ref>{{cite news |title=HT photographer's motorcycle burnt |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-photographer-s-motorcycle-burnt/story-naQGBnDnWXnUwX0rSnmA6K.html |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2020}}</ref>


The Editors Guild of India issued a statement on 25 February expressing concern about the attacks on journalists as an assault on ]. They urged the ] and the Delhi Police to investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement |url=https://twitter.com/IndEditorsGuild/status/1232358976513363975 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=The Editors Guild of India |date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Statement on assault on journalist |url=https://editorsguild.in/ |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=The Editors Guild of India |date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225182906/https://editorsguild.in/ |archive-date=25 February 2020 }}</ref> The ] issued a statement on 25 February expressing concern about the attacks on journalists as an assault on ]. They urged the ] and the Delhi Police to investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=IndEditorsGuild |title=The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement |number=1232358976513363975 |access-date=25 February 2020 |date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Statement on assault on journalist |url=https://editorsguild.in/ |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=The Editors Guild of India |date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225182906/https://editorsguild.in/ |archive-date=25 February 2020 }}</ref>


==Interfaith solidarity==
==Local opposition to the riots==
{{further|Hindu-Muslim unity|Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb}} {{further|Hindu–Muslim unity|Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb}}
'']'' journalists, who covered the incidents, reported that the people of the localities were confident that their neighbours did not engage in violence against them. Rather they blamed the "outsiders".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/why-delhi-riots-are-different-what-theprints-13-reporters-photojournalists-saw-on-ground/371981/|title=Why Delhi riots are different — What ThePrint's 13 reporters, photojournalists saw on ground|date=2020-02-27|website=ThePrint|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref> The neighbourhood between ] and Maujpur, which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims, ] by guarding one another and barricading the gate to prevent outside mobs from entering and destroying the communal harmony that exists there.<ref name="AlaviJain2020">{{cite web |last1=Alavi |first1=Mariyam |last2=Jain |first2=Sreenivasan |title=At Epicentre Of Delhi Riots, How A Mohalla Of Hindus And Muslims Kept Peace |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-at-epicentre-of-delhi-riots-how-a-mohalla-of-hindus-and-muslims-kept-peace-2186047 |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="TIT2020">{{cite web |title=At Epicentre Of Delhi Riots, How A Mohalla Of Hindus And Muslims Kept Peace |url=https://theindiantelegraph.com.au/at-epicentre-of-delhi-riots-how-a-mohalla-of-hindus-and-muslims-kept-peace/ |publisher=The Indian Telegraph |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> In the area of ], Hindus and Muslims joined together to keep guard to prevent miscreants to enter the area.<ref name="Bhalla2020">{{cite web |last1=Bhalla |first1=Abhishek |title=Delhi violence: Hindus, Muslims join forces to guard their colonies from outside rioters |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-hindus-muslims-join-forces-to-guard-their-colonies-from-outside-rioters-1650967-2020-02-28 |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>


'']'' journalists, who covered the incidents, reported that the people of the localities were confident that their neighbours did not engage in violence against them. Rather they blamed the "outsiders".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/why-delhi-riots-are-different-what-theprints-13-reporters-photojournalists-saw-on-ground/371981/|title=Why Delhi riots are different – What ThePrint's 13 reporters, photojournalists saw on ground|date=27 February 2020|website=ThePrint|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> The neighbourhood between ] and Maujpur, which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims, ] by guarding one another and barricading the gate to prevent outside mobs from entering and destroying the communal harmony that exists there.<ref name="AlaviJain2020">{{cite web |last1=Alavi |first1=Mariyam |last2=Jain |first2=Sreenivasan |title=At Epicentre Of Delhi Riots, How A Mohalla Of Hindus And Muslims Kept Peace |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-at-epicentre-of-delhi-riots-how-a-mohalla-of-hindus-and-muslims-kept-peace-2186047 |publisher=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="TIT2020">{{cite web |title=At Epicentre Of Delhi Riots, How A Mohalla Of Hindus And Muslims Kept Peace |url=https://theindiantelegraph.com.au/at-epicentre-of-delhi-riots-how-a-mohalla-of-hindus-and-muslims-kept-peace/ |work=The Indian Telegraph |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> In the area of ], Hindus and Muslims joined to keep guard to prevent miscreants to enter the area.<ref name="Bhalla2020">{{cite web |last1=Bhalla |first1=Abhishek |title=Delhi violence: Hindus, Muslims join forces to guard their colonies from outside rioters |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-hindus-muslims-join-forces-to-guard-their-colonies-from-outside-rioters-1650967-2020-02-28 |work=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>
Some Hindu families worked to protect their Muslim friends and neighbours amidst the riots by inviting them into their homes for a few days until the riots calmed down.<ref name="Sharma2020">{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Milan |title=Delhi violence: Hindu family which saved Sikhs in 1984 riots, now saves a Muslim family |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-hindu-family-who-saved-sikhs-in-1984-riots-now-saves-muslim-family-1651797-2020-03-03 |publisher=] |date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="GN2020">{{cite web |title=Delhi riots: How Hindus saved lone Muslim family from rioters |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/delhi-riots-how-hindus-saved-lone-muslim-family-from-rioters-1.1582892630251 |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> Premkanth Baghel, a local Hindu, rescued his Muslim friends from their burning house, causing himself to suffer 70% TBSA burns.<ref name="Sikander2020">{{cite web |last1=Sikander |first1=Sana |title=Hindu saves 6 Muslims in Delhi riots, gets critically burned |url=https://www.siasat.com/hindu-saves-6-muslims-delhi-riots-gets-critically-burned-1841229/ |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> In the area of Chand Bagh, some Muslims visited their Hindu neighbours and assured their safety.<ref name="Barton2020">{{cite web |last1=Barton |first1=Naomi |title=How Muslim and Hindu Neighbours Protected Each Other Through the Long Night at Chand Bagh |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/chand-bagh-delhi-riots-hindu-muslim |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> At the ''Mandir Masjid Marg'' of Noor-e-Ilahi, Muslims gathered around Hanuman Mandir, the Hindu temple, to protect it from being damaged while Hindus did the same for Azizya Masjid, a mosque in the area.<ref name="Hotstar2020">{{cite web |title=When Hindus protected a Masjid, Muslims saved a temple |url=https://www.hotstar.com/in/news/when-hindus-protected-a-masjid-muslims-saved-a-temple/1111167606 |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=When Hindus protected a Masjid, Muslims saved a temple in Noor-e-Ilahi |url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-when-hindus-protected-a-masjid-muslims-saved-a-temple-in-noor-e-ilahi-1167606 |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi's Noor-E-Ilahi Area Setting Example Of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuRUsgr_2rU |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=29 February 2020}}</ref>


Some Hindu families worked to protect their Muslim friends and neighbours amidst the riots by inviting them into their homes for a few days until the riots calmed down.<ref name="Sharma2020">{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Milan |title=Delhi violence: Hindu family which saved Sikhs in 1984 riots, now saves a Muslim family |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-hindu-family-who-saved-sikhs-in-1984-riots-now-saves-muslim-family-1651797-2020-03-03 |work=] |date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="GN2020">{{cite web |title=Delhi riots: How Hindus saved lone Muslim family from rioters |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/delhi-riots-how-hindus-saved-lone-muslim-family-from-rioters-1.1582892630251 |work=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> A local Hindu rescued his Muslim friends from their burning house, suffering 70% burns while doing so.<ref name="Sikander2020">{{cite web |last1=Sikander |first1=Sana |title=Hindu saves 6 Muslims in Delhi riots, gets critically burned |url=https://www.siasat.com/hindu-saves-6-muslims-delhi-riots-gets-critically-burned-1841229/ |work=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> In the area of Chand Bagh, some Muslims visited their Hindu neighbours and assured their safety.<ref name="Barton2020">{{cite web |last1=Barton |first1=Naomi |title=How Muslim and Hindu Neighbours Protected Each Other Through the Long Night at Chand Bagh |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/chand-bagh-delhi-riots-hindu-muslim |work=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> At the Mandir Masjid Marg of Noor-e-Ilahi, Muslims gathered around Hanuman Mandir, the Hindu temple, to protect it from being damaged while Hindus did the same for Azizya Masjid, a mosque in the area.<ref name="Hotstar2020">{{cite web |title=When Hindus protected a Masjid, Muslims saved a temple |url=https://www.hotstar.com/in/news/when-hindus-protected-a-masjid-muslims-saved-a-temple/1111167606 |publisher=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303211952/https://www.hotstar.com/in/news/when-hindus-protected-a-masjid-muslims-saved-a-temple/1111167606 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=When Hindus protected a Masjid, Muslims saved a temple in Noor-e-Ilahi |url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-when-hindus-protected-a-masjid-muslims-saved-a-temple-in-noor-e-ilahi-1167606 |publisher=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=29 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi's Noor-E-Ilahi Area Setting Example Of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuRUsgr_2rU |publisher=] |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=29 February 2020}}</ref> A Sikh father-son duo rescued around seventy Muslims from a mosque and a madrasa that were surrounded by a mob, by transporting them to safety on their motorcycle, giving safe passage to two children at a time.<ref name="EllisPetersen2020">{{cite web |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |title=Inside Delhi: beaten, lynched and burnt alive |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/india-delhi-after-hindu-mob-riot-religious-hatred-nationalists |work=The Guardian |access-date=3 March 2020 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> Amidst the rioting, the Sikh community allowed those seeking shelter into the ].<ref name="EllisPetersen2020" />
Mohinder Singh and his son Inderjit Singh rescued around seventy Muslims from a mosque and a madrasa that were surrounded by a mob, by transporting them to safety on their motorcycle, giving safe passage to two children at a time.<ref name="EllisPetersen2020">{{cite web |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |title=Inside Delhi: beaten, lynched and burnt alive |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/india-delhi-after-hindu-mob-riot-religious-hatred-nationalists |website=The Guardian |publisher=] |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> ] leader and former MLA, Majinder Singh Sirsa, opened up his ] to those seeking shelter amidst the rioting.<ref name="EllisPetersen2020" />


Both Hindus and Muslims comforted one another and mourned the loss of their kin who were killed by the rioters.<ref name="Kuchay2020">{{cite web |last1=Kuchay |first1=Bilal |title='We lost a brother': Hindu, Muslim families in Delhi share grief |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/lost-brother-hindu-muslim-families-delhi-share-grief-200227051613459.html |publisher=] |accessdate=19 March 2020 |language=English}}</ref> Both Hindus and Muslims comforted one another and mourned the loss of their kin who were killed by the rioters.<ref name="Kuchay2020">{{cite web|title='We lost a brother': Hindu, Muslim families in Delhi share grief|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/lost-brother-hindu-muslim-families-delhi-share-grief-200227051613459.html|last1=Kuchay|first1=Bilal|date=27 February 2020|publisher=]|access-date=19 March 2020}}</ref>


], the Catholic Christian archbishop of the ] stated that churches are using their resources to help those affected by the 2020 Delhi riots; the ], for example, engaged physicians, nurses, as well as ambulances to provide relief to affected people.<ref name="Vatican2020">{{cite web |title=Indian archbishop comforts capital's riot-affected victims |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-03/india-delhi-archbishop-couto-riots-victims-visit-comfort.html |publisher=] |accessdate=19 March 2020 |language=English |date=4 March 2020}}</ref> Catholic churches, stated Archbishop Couto, would accept those affected by the riots, especially with it being the season of ].<ref name="Vatican2020"/> Archbishop Couto appealed "for peace and non-violence" and clergy from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain faiths gathered in front ] to pray in solidarity.<ref name="Vatican2020"/> On 1 March, Muslim and Hindu residents of Jaffrabad organised a peace march together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-groups-spread-peace-message-in-jafrabad-1651438-2020-03-02|title=Delhi violence: Groups spread peace message in Jafrabad|date=2 March 2020|first1=Ram|last1=Kinkar Singh|website=India Today|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> Later that week, ], the Catholic Christian archbishop of the ] appealed "for peace and non-violence" and clergy from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain faiths gathered in front of the ], to pray in solidarity.<ref name="Vatican2020">{{cite news|date=4 March 2020|title=Indian archbishop comforts capital's riot-affected victims|work=]|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-03/india-delhi-archbishop-couto-riots-victims-visit-comfort.html}}</ref>


==Handling by emergency services==
On 1 March, Muslim and Hindu residents of Jaffrabad organised a peace march together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-groups-spread-peace-message-in-jafrabad-1651438-2020-03-02|title=Delhi violence: Groups spread peace message in Jafrabad|date=March 2, 2020|first=Ram|last=Kinkar Singh|website=India Today|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref>


==Handling of the riots by emergency services==
===Delhi Police=== ===Delhi Police===
The Delhi Police's ability to maintain the law and order and bring the peace back in riot-affected areas has been questioned by multiple sources. The police took no action even though present when the violence resulted in murders. They remained lax in deploying policemen on 23 February, when multiple intelligence reports requested more forces to prevent the tense situation (created by Mishra's speech) from escalating further. Victims of the riot reported that the police did not respond promptly when called, claiming that the officers were busy.<ref name="NYTSwirl27Feb">{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/asia/india-violence-hindu-muslim.html|title=As New Delhi Counts the Dead, Questions Swirl About Police Response|date=2020-02-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-29|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Loke|first3=Atul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ali|first=Ahmad|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/crippled-police-fail-to-act-in-delhi-riots-says-former-cop/1745896|title='Crippled' police fail to act in Delhi riots, says former cop|date=2020-02-26|work=AA|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> Other reports also suggested that the police encouraged rioters<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/world/asia/new-delhi-hindu-muslim-violence.html|title=New Delhi Streets Turn Into Battleground, Hindus vs. Muslims|date=2020-02-25|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-10|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|last3=Yasir|first3=Sameer}}</ref> and physically attacked residents of riot-affected areas, going on to shoot people randomly. The police, however, denied these assertions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/criticism-of-police-grows-after-mob-violence-kills-more-than-30-in-indias-capital/2020/02/27/6a4ee8bc-595c-11ea-8753-73d96000faae_story.html|title=Criticism of police grows after mob violence kills nearly 40 in India's capital|first=Joanna|last=Slater|work=The Washington Post|date=February 27, 2020|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> The Delhi Police's ability to maintain the law and order and bring the peace back in riot-affected areas has been questioned by multiple sources. The police took no action even though present when the violence resulted in murders. They remained lax in deploying policemen on 23 February, when multiple intelligence reports requested more forces to prevent the tense situation (created by Mishra's speech) from escalating further. Victims of the riot reported that the police did not respond promptly when called, claiming that the officers were busy.<ref name="NYTSwirl27Feb">{{Cite news|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/asia/india-violence-hindu-muslim.html|title=As New Delhi Counts the Dead, Questions Swirl About Police Response|date=27 February 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=29 February 2020|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Loke|first3=Atul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ali|first1=Ahmad|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/crippled-police-fail-to-act-in-delhi-riots-says-former-cop/1745896|title='Crippled' police fail to act in Delhi riots, says former cop|date=26 February 2020|work=AA|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> Other reports also suggested that the police encouraged rioters<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/world/asia/new-delhi-hindu-muslim-violence.html|title=New Delhi Streets Turn into Battleground, Hindus vs. Muslims|date=25 February 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 March 2020|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Yasir|first3=Sameer}}</ref> and physically attacked residents of riot-affected areas, going on to shoot people randomly. The police, however, denied these assertions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/criticism-of-police-grows-after-mob-violence-kills-more-than-30-in-indias-capital/2020/02/27/6a4ee8bc-595c-11ea-8753-73d96000faae_story.html|title=Criticism of police grows after mob violence kills nearly 40 in India's capital|first1=Joanna|last1=Slater|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=27 February 2020|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>


A video shared on social media on 26 February showed a group of men being assaulted by the police as they lay on the ground, forcibly singing the ] and "]" on the demands of the policemen.<ref>{{citation|title=How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims: More evidence has emerged that the Indian police took part in violence against Muslims or stood aside during fighting in the capital last month.|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html}}</ref> The families of the men claimed that they were detained in the lockup for two days and beaten further. One of them, Mohammad Faizan,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ellis-Petersen|first=Hannah|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/delhis-muslims-despair-justice-police-implicated-hindu-riots|title=Delhi's Muslims despair of justice after police implicated in riots|date=2020-03-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-03-22|last2=Rahman|first2=Shaikh Azizur|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> was admitted in the neurosurgery wing of LNJP Hospital and died on 29 February from critical gunshot wounds. Another was reported to have suffered serious injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-delhi-riots-one-of-five-injured-men-made-to-sing-anthem-in-video-dies/348035|title=Delhi Riots: One Of Five Injured Men, Made To Sing National Anthem In Video, Dies|website=Outlook India|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-video-national-anthem-6291881/|title=Delhi violence: Video showed men being made to sing anthem, one is now dead|date=2020-02-29|website=The Indian Express|first=Somya|last=Lakhani|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> A video shared on social media on 26 February showed a group of men being assaulted by the police as they lay on the ground, forcibly singing the ] and "]" on the demands of the policemen.<ref>{{citation|title='If We Kill You, Nothing Will Happen': How Delhi's Police Turned Against Muslims|first1=Jeffrey |last1=Gettleman|first2=Sameer|last2=Yasir|first3=Suhasini |last3=Raj|first4=Hari|last4=Kumar|others=Photographs by Loke, Atul|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/asia/india-police-muslims.html}}</ref> The families of the men claimed that they were detained in the lockup for two days and beaten further. One of them, Mohammad Faizan,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ellis-Petersen|first1=Hannah|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/delhis-muslims-despair-justice-police-implicated-hindu-riots|title=Delhi's Muslims despair of justice after police implicated in riots|date=16 March 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 March 2020|last2=Rahman|first2=Shaikh Azizur|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> was admitted in the neurosurgery wing of ] and died on 29 February from critical gunshot wounds. Another was reported to have suffered serious injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-delhi-riots-one-of-five-injured-men-made-to-sing-anthem-in-video-dies/348035|title=Delhi Riots: One Of Five Injured Men, Made To Sing National Anthem In Video, Dies|website=Outlook India|date=29 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-video-national-anthem-6291881/|title=Delhi violence: Video showed men being made to sing anthem, one is now dead|date=29 February 2020|website=The Indian Express|first1=Somya|last1=Lakhani|access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref>


The lack of the police's prompt response may be attributed to the large police force deployed to line the roads for the visit of the ] ]. The police had reportedly informed the ] of the shortfall of policeman available for immediately controlling the violence,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-police-says-shortage-of-forces-lead-to-spread-of-violence-deploys-1000-personnel-in-riot-hit-areas-as-toll-climbs-to-nine-8084841.html|title=Delhi Police says shortage of forces lead to spread of violence, deploys 1,000 personnel in riot-hit areas as toll climbs to nine|date=February 25, 2020|website=Firstpost|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> but this was denied by the Ministry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PIBHomeAffairs/status/1232889012303597568?s=20|title=As against cited shortages of police personnel in Delhi, it is stated that there is adequate strength of forces on ground since this Monday. Based on professional assessment, 73 Coys of CAPFs deployed in addition to 40 Coys of @DelhiPolice. Situation under control.|last=Affairs|first=Spokesperson, Ministry of Home|date=2020-02-26|website=@PIBHomeAffairs|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> The lack of the police's prompt response may be attributed to the large police force deployed to line the roads for the visit of the ] ]. The police had reportedly informed the ] of the shortfall of policeman available for immediately controlling the violence,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-police-says-shortage-of-forces-lead-to-spread-of-violence-deploys-1000-personnel-in-riot-hit-areas-as-toll-climbs-to-nine-8084841.html|title=Delhi Police says shortage of forces {{sic|nolink=y|lead}} to spread of violence, deploys 1,000 personnel in riot-hit areas as toll climbs to nine|date=25 February 2020|website=Firstpost|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> but this was denied by the Ministry.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=PIBHomeAffairs |number=1232889012303597568 |title=As against cited shortages of police personnel in Delhi, it is stated that there is adequate strength of forces on ground since this Monday. Based on professional assessment, 73 Coys of CAPFs deployed in addition to 40 Coys of @DelhiPolice. Situation under control. |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref>


When the Delhi High Court bench, on 27 February, ordered the Delhi Police to file FIRs against the people whose speeches triggered the riots, the police and the government remarked that they had consciously not done so, citing that arresting them would not restore immediate peace. They further informed the court that they would need more time to investigate the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-police-says-firs-for-hate-speeches-would-need-more-time-atmosphere-not-right-1650543-2020-02-27|title=Delhi Police tells high court FIRs on hate speeches need more time, atmosphere not right|first=Aneesha|last=Mathur|date=February 27, 2020|website=India Today|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> When the Delhi High Court bench, on 27 February, ordered the Delhi Police to file FIRs against the people whose speeches triggered the riots, the police and the government remarked that they had consciously not done so, citing that arresting them would not restore immediate peace. They further informed the court that they would need more time to investigate the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-police-says-firs-for-hate-speeches-would-need-more-time-atmosphere-not-right-1650543-2020-02-27|title=Delhi Police tells high court FIRs on hate speeches need more time, atmosphere not right|first1=Aneesha|last1=Mathur|date=27 February 2020|website=India Today|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref>


When a team of lawyers visited Jagatpuri police station to visit the anti-CAA protestors detained by the police, they were reportedly abused by police personnel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/954406/delhi-lawyers-allegedly-get-beaten-up-by-policemen-for-seeking-release-of-anti-caa-protestor|title=Delhi: Lawyers allegedly get beaten up by policemen for seeking release of anti-CAA protestor|website=Scroll.in|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> The lawyers then wrote to the Delhi commissioner of police, demanding action against the officer who assaulted them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/lawyers-demand-action-against-police-over-assault/article30937215.ece|title=Lawyers demand action against police over assault|date=2020-02-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-02-29|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> When a team of lawyers visited Jagatpuri police station to visit the anti-CAA protestors detained by the police, they were reportedly abused by police personnel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/954406/delhi-lawyers-allegedly-get-beaten-up-by-policemen-for-seeking-release-of-anti-caa-protestor|title=Delhi: Lawyers allegedly get beaten up by policemen for seeking release of anti-CAA protestor|website=Scroll.in|date=26 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> The lawyers then wrote to the Delhi commissioner of police, demanding action against the officer who assaulted them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/lawyers-demand-action-against-police-over-assault/article30937215.ece|title=Lawyers demand action against police over assault|date=28 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=29 February 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


===Delhi Health Services=== ===Delhi Health Services===
The Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan (JSA), a public health advocacy group, compiled a report on the information gathered by their volunteers working in the hospitals during the riots. The report, titled ''The Role of Health Systems in Responding to Communal Violence in Delhi''<ref name="HinduManderShame">{{Cite news|last=Perappadan|first=Bindu Shajan|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-a-matter-of-great-shame-harsh-mander/article30964727.ece|title=Delhi violence a matter of great shame: Harsh Mander|date=2020-03-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and released on 2 March, alleged that doctors had harassed the victims by referring to them as terrorists, and had asked victims if they knew the full forms of "NRC" and "CAA". The report documented instances of negligence, denying victims treatment in some cases, while disregarding the safety of patients in others. Multiple cases were reportedly rejected for not having the required medico-legal case documentation. It was also alleged that the doctors did not provide detailed reports of the injuries and autopsies to the victims and their families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-doctor-called-riot-victim-extremist-terrorist-during-treatment-claims-report_in_5e5d378bc5b67ed38b3638b8|title=Delhi Riots: Doctor Called Riot Victim 'Extremist', 'Terrorist' During Treatment, Says Report|date=2020-03-02|website=HuffPost India|first=Akshay|last=Deshmane|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref> The Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan (JSA), a public health advocacy group, compiled a report on the information gathered by their volunteers working in the hospitals during the riots. The report, titled ''The Role of Health Systems in Responding to Communal Violence in Delhi''<ref name="HinduManderShame">{{Cite news|last1=Perappadan|first1=Bindu Shajan|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-a-matter-of-great-shame-harsh-mander/article30964727.ece|title=Delhi violence a matter of great shame: Harsh Mander|date=2 March 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=4 March 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and released on 2 March, alleged that doctors had harassed the victims by referring to them as terrorists, and had asked victims if they knew the full forms of "NRC" and "CAA". The report documented instances of negligence, denying victims treatment in some cases, while disregarding the safety of patients in others. Multiple cases were reportedly rejected for not having the required medico-legal case documentation. It was also alleged that the doctors did not provide detailed reports of the injuries and autopsies to the victims and their families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-doctor-called-riot-victim-extremist-terrorist-during-treatment-claims-report_in_5e5d378bc5b67ed38b3638b8|title=Delhi Riots: Doctor Called Riot Victim 'Extremist', 'Terrorist' During Treatment, Says Report|date=2 March 2020|website=HuffPost India|first1=Akshay|last1=Deshmane|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>


The report indicated that citizens had grown fearful of government services such as ambulances and government hospitals, with victims taking private vehicles to go to private hospitals,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/03/02/from-shaming-patients-to-asking-full-form-of-caa-how-doctors-failed-delhi-violence-victims.html|title=From shaming patients to asking full form of CAA, how doctors failed Delhi violence victims|website=The Week|first=Puja|last=Awasthi|date=2020-03-02|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref> due to the treatment and abuse that they had received from the police.<ref name="HinduManderShame" /> This problem compounded the existing issues of the mobs not allowing ambulances near the riot-affected areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/delhi-violence-a-tale-of-riot-wounds-bandage-and-police-809973.html|title=Delhi violence: A tale of riot wounds, bandage and police|date=2020-03-03|website=Deccan Herald|first=Kalyan|last=Ray|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref> In some areas, primary health centres and hospitals remained closed throughout the riots, either due to the violence or due to lack of medical facilities available at the grassroots level even before the riots began.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/health/delhis-public-health-system-inflicted-trauma-on-riot-victims-alleges-advocacy-group/374201/|title=Delhi's public health system inflicted trauma on riot victims, alleges advocacy group|last=Yadavar|first=Swagata|date=2020-03-02|website=ThePrint|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref> Families of the victims also reported delayed post-mortem reports from several hospitals.<ref name="WireGTB" /> The report indicated that citizens had grown fearful of government services such as ambulances and government hospitals, with victims taking private vehicles to go to private hospitals,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/03/02/from-shaming-patients-to-asking-full-form-of-caa-how-doctors-failed-delhi-violence-victims.html|title=From shaming patients to asking full form of CAA, how doctors failed Delhi violence victims|website=The Week|first1=Puja|last1=Awasthi|date=2 March 2020|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> due to the treatment and abuse that they had received from the police.<ref name="HinduManderShame" /> This problem compounded the existing issues of the mobs not allowing ambulances near the riot-affected areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/delhi-violence-a-tale-of-riot-wounds-bandage-and-police-809973.html|title=Delhi violence: A tale of riot wounds, bandage and police|date=3 March 2020|website=Deccan Herald|first1=Kalyan|last1=Ray|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> In some areas, primary health centres and hospitals remained closed throughout the riots, either due to the violence or due to lack of medical facilities available at the grassroots level even before the riots began.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/health/delhis-public-health-system-inflicted-trauma-on-riot-victims-alleges-advocacy-group/374201/|title=Delhi's public health system inflicted trauma on riot victims, alleges advocacy group|last1=Yadavar|first1=Swagata|date=2 March 2020|website=ThePrint|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> Families of the victims also reported delayed post-mortem reports from several hospitals.<ref name="WireGTB" />


==Reaction and response== ==Response and reactions==
===Response by the government===
===Reactions===
On 24 February 2020, the ] stated that the violence appeared orchestrated to coincide with President ]'s ] to India.<ref name="Orchestrated">{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-violence-in-delhi-orchestrated-for-publicity-as-trump-is-visiting-india-sources/347807 |title=Delhi Violence Effort To Defame India Globally: MoS Home Affairs |work=] |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020 |quote=Union Minister of State for Home Affairs on Monday said that the violence in North-East Delhi was orchestrated with an eye on US President's visit to India.}}</ref> The Ministry also refused to bring in the Army to control the riots and stated that the number of central forces and policemen on the ground was adequate. More than 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the area.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb" />
On 25 February the ], ] stated that the Police, despite its efforts, had been unable to control the violence and requested the ]'s assistance in stopping the violence as the number of deaths climbed to 23.<ref name="BBC23killed"/><ref name="Hindu Live 26Feb">{{cite news |title=Register FIRs against hate speeches, HC directs Delhi Police |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-day-4-live-updates/article30919537.ece |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi violence: Police unable to control situation, time to call in Army, says CM Kejriwal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-police-unable-to-control-situation-time-to-call-in-army-says-cm-kejriwal-1650088-2020-02-26 |website=India Today}}</ref>


On 25 February the ], ] stated that the Delhi Police, despite its efforts, had been unable to control the violence and requested the ]'s assistance in stopping the violence as the number of deaths climbed to 23.<ref name="BBC23killed"/><ref name="Hindu Live 26Feb">{{cite news |title=Register FIRs against hate speeches, HC directs Delhi Police |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-day-4-live-updates/article30919537.ece |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi violence: Police unable to control situation, time to call in Army, says CM Kejriwal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-police-unable-to-control-situation-time-to-call-in-army-says-cm-kejriwal-1650088-2020-02-26 |website=India Today|date=26 February 2020 }}</ref>
At a rally in Delhi, a ] minister shouted {{transl|hi|''Desh ke ġaddāroṉ ko''}} ("What's to be done with the traitors to the nation?") and the crowd screamed back, {{transl|hi|''Goli māro sāloṉ ko''}} ("Shoot the bastards!").<ref>{{cite web |title=The Graveyard Talks Back |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/literature/arundhati-roy-the-graveyard-talks-back |publisher=Caravan Magazine |accessdate=12 March 2020}}</ref> AAP leader ] released a video in which BJP MLA from ], ], was seen leading crowds that raised slogans {{transl|hi|ISO|Jō Hindū hit kī bāt karēgā, vahī dēś pē rāj karēgā}} ({{trans|"Whoever talks about the welfare of Hindus, only they will rule the country"}}) and {{transl|hi|ISO|Jai Śrī Rām}} ({{trans|"Hail Lord ]"}}). Singh accused ] ] of holding an "all-party meeting, pretending to restore peace and their MLA is engaged in inciting riots." Verma meanwhile defended himself claiming the slogans were raised by civilians.<ref name="AbhayVerma">{{cite news |last=Babu |first=Nikhil M. |title=Delhi violence {{!}} Video of inflammatory slogans at BJP MLA's march surfaces |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-video-of-inflammatory-slogans-at-bjp-mlas-march-surfaces/article30920322.ece |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


===Home Ministry's meeting===
] president ] held a press conference at which she said that Shah should resign for failing to stop the violence. She asked for the deployment of an adequate number of security forces.<ref name="Hindu Live 26Feb" /> Gandhi's press conference was followed by a press conference by ]; he said that there is "selective silence" from AAP and Congress and he added that they are politicising violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pot-was-boiling-for-two-months-centre-hits-back-at-congress-aap-for-delhi-violence/story-n1lGcQqzae3EhTgTo82YIN.html|title='Pot was boiling for two months': Centre hits back at Congress, AAP for Delhi violence|date=2020-02-27|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref>
On the morning of 25 February 2020, the Chief Minister Kejriwal chaired an urgent meeting of all party MLAs from the violence-hit areas and senior officials. Several MLAs raised concerns on the lack of deployment of enough policemen.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" /> The concerns were raised by Kejriwal in the subsequent meeting chaired by Home Minister Shah and attended by ] ] and senior police officials. The meeting concluded with the decision to take all possible steps to contain violence. Kejriwal stated that Shah had assured the availability of an adequate number of policemen.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" />


National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was given the responsibility of restoring peace in the region.<ref name="Hindu Live 26Feb" /><ref name="Cabinet Security Meeting">{{cite news |title=Top Cabinet Security Meeting As 20 Killed in Delhi Clashes: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-number-of-deaths-rises-to-17-2185746 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> On 26 February, Doval travelled to the violence-hit regions and spoke to locals, assuring them of normalcy.<ref>{{cite web |title=NSA Ajit Doval Takes Charge of Northeast Delhi, Briefs Amit Shah |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nsa-ajit-doval-visits-violence-hit-northeast-delhi-reviews-security-2186149 |publisher=] |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
After three days of violence with 20 deaths, the ], ], shared a message on Twitter asking people to maintain peace. Commentators said that he reacted only after the departure of President Trump, whom he had been hosting on a ] while the riots began.<ref name="BBC26FebEcho">{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Soutik |title=Why Delhi violence has echoes of the Gujarat riots |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51641516 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="NDTV 26 Feb 21 dead">{{cite news |title=21 Dead In Delhi Violence, PM Appeals For "Peace, Brotherhood": 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-tweets-appeal-to-my-sisters-and-brothers-of-delhi-to-maintain-peace-and-brotherhood-2185982 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/world/asia/delhi-riots-kapil-mishra.html|title=The Roots of the Delhi Riots: A Fiery Speech and an Ultimatum|date=26 February 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=29 February 2020|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Yasir|first3=Sameer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/asia/india-modi-hindus.html|title=In India, Modi's Policies Have Lit a Fuse|date=2020-03-01|work=The New York Times|access-date=3 March 2020|last2=Abi-Habib|first2=Maria|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


===Relief measures===
On 26 February, the ] (USCIRF) conveyed "grave concern" over the riots and requested the Indian government to provide protection to people, no matter which faith they belonged to.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/us-commission-on-religious-freedom-condemns-mob-violence-in-delhi-urges-centre-to-ensure-safety-of-all-citizens-including-muslims-8091511.html|title=US Commission on Religious Freedom condemns mob violence in Delhi, urges Centre to ensure safety of all citizens including Muslims|date=27 Feb 2020|website=Firstpost|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> US Senator and ] candidate ] and other American politicians expressed their concerns over the events. In response, on 27 February 2020, the ] spokesperson, ], stated that these remarks were "factually inaccurate", "misleading" and "aimed at politicising the issue".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/comments-by-uscirf-others-on-delhi-violence-attempt-to-politicise-issue-mea/article30929288.ece|title=Comments by USCIRF, others on Delhi violence attempt to politicise issue: MEA|date=27 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=27 February 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> BJP general secretary BL Santhosh threatened Sanders with election interference due to his condemnation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-violence-bjp-leader-threatens-bernie-sanders-with-us-election-interference_in_5e573f59c5b66137fb5d90d1|title=BJP General Secretary Threatens Bernie Sanders With US Election Interference|date=27 February 2020|work=Huffington Post India|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> The US issued a travel advisory for its citizens to exercise caution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-new-delhi-4/|title=Security Alert - U.S. Embassy, New Delhi|date=26 February 2020|website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>
On 27 February, Kejriwal announced free treatment for the injured in government as well as private hospitals under the Farishta scheme. The government had made arrangements with the help of ]s to supply food in areas where a curfew had been imposed. He also announced a compensation amount of {{INRConvert|1|m|lk=r}} to affected people, {{INRConvert|100|k}} ex-gratia, and {{INRConvert|500|k}} in the case of a death of a minor.<ref name="IE 27 Feb Live" /> He also announced that the Delhi government had set up nine shelters for the people affected by the riots. For people whose houses were completely burnt, immediate assistance of {{INRConvert|25000}} was announced.<ref name="28Feb Hindu" />


Food and other relief materials were distributed with the help of ]s and NGOs.<ref name="TH_compensation">{{cite news |title=Government to start distributing ₹25,000 to victims of violence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/government-to-start-distributing-25000-to-victims-of-violence/article30946782.ece |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=29 February 2020 }}</ref> BJP leaders Tajinder Bagga and Kapil Mishra collected {{INRConvert|7.1|m}} for the Hindu victims of Delhi riots via crowdfunding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/03/02/delhi-violence-kapil-mishra-bagga-crowdfund-over-rs-71-lakh-for-hindu-victims.html|title=Delhi violence: Kapil Mishra, Bagga crowdfund over Rs 71 lakh for Hindu victims|website=The Week|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>
On 27 February, United Nations ], ], stated, "Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed—in a mostly peaceful manner—their opposition to the Act, and support for the country's long tradition of ]". She expressed concern on the citizenship law and reports of "police inaction" during the communal attacks in Delhi.<ref name="IE 27 Feb Live" /> Twelve eminent citizens of ] also expressed grave concern over the communal clashes on that day. They expressed fear that India's failure to handle the situation could create a volatile environment in its neighbouring countries, which could destroy peace, democracy, development and communal harmony in the region.<ref>{{cite news |title= Eminent Bangladesh citizens express concern over Delhi riots
|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2020/02/27/eminent-bangladesh-citizens-express-concern-over-delhi-riots
|accessdate=28 February 2020 |website=Dhaka Tribune |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> The ], ], wanted lessons to be learned from ]'s handling of the ] for ways to handle the riots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/learn-from-tiananmen-square-massacre-to-handle-the-riots-tathagata-roy/cid/1748921|title=Learn from Tiananmen Square massacre to handle the riots: Tathagata Roy|date=27 February 2020|accessdate=28 February 2020|publisher=]}}</ref>


===Reactions===
On 27 February, ] ] criticised the violence. He said, "India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/turkey-president-denounces-massacres-committed-against-muslims-in-india-2186792|title=Turkey President Denounces "Massacres" Committed Against Muslims In India|website=NDTV|date=February 27, 2020|access-date=2020-03-07}}</ref>
AAP leader ] released a video in which BJP MLA from ], ], was seen leading crowds that raised slogans {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Jō Hindū hit kī bāt karēgā, vahī dēś pē rāj karēgā}} ({{translation|"Whoever talks about the welfare of Hindus, only they will rule the country"}}) and {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Jai Śrī Rām}} ({{translation|"Hail Lord ]"}}). Singh accused ] ] of holding an "all-party meeting, pretending to restore peace and their MLA is engaged in inciting riots." Verma meanwhile defended himself claiming the slogans were raised by civilians.<ref name="AbhayVerma">{{cite news |last1=Babu |first1=Nikhil M. |title=Delhi violence {{!}} Video of inflammatory slogans at BJP MLA's march surfaces |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-video-of-inflammatory-slogans-at-bjp-mlas-march-surfaces/article30920322.ece |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020}}</ref>

] president ] held a press conference at which she said that Shah should resign for failing to stop the violence. She asked for the deployment of an adequate number of security forces.<ref name="Hindu Live 26Feb" /> Gandhi's press conference was followed by a press conference by ]; he said that there is "selective silence" from AAP and Congress and he added that they are politicising violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pot-was-boiling-for-two-months-centre-hits-back-at-congress-aap-for-delhi-violence/story-n1lGcQqzae3EhTgTo82YIN.html|title='Pot was boiling for two months': Centre hits back at Congress, AAP for Delhi violence|date=27 February 2020|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

After three days of violence with 20 deaths, the ], Narendra Modi, shared a message on Twitter asking people to maintain peace. Commentators said that he reacted only after the departure of President Trump, whom he had been hosting on a ] while the riots began.<ref name="BBC26FebEcho">{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Soutik |title=Why Delhi violence has echoes of the Gujarat riots |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51641516 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="NDTV 26 Feb 21 dead">{{cite news |title=21 Dead in Delhi Violence, PM Appeals For "Peace, Brotherhood": 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-tweets-appeal-to-my-sisters-and-brothers-of-delhi-to-maintain-peace-and-brotherhood-2185982 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/world/asia/delhi-riots-kapil-mishra.html|title=The Roots of the Delhi Riots: A Fiery Speech and an Ultimatum|date=26 February 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=29 February 2020|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Yasir|first3=Sameer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/asia/india-modi-hindus.html|title=In India, Modi's Policies Have Lit a Fuse|date=1 March 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=3 March 2020|last2=Abi-Habib|first2=Maria|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On 26 February, the ] (USCIRF) conveyed "grave concern" over the riots and requested the Indian government to provide protection to people, no matter which faith they belonged to.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/us-commission-on-religious-freedom-condemns-mob-violence-in-delhi-urges-centre-to-ensure-safety-of-all-citizens-including-muslims-8091511.html|title=US Commission on Religious Freedom condemns mob violence in Delhi, urges Centre to ensure safety of all citizens including Muslims|date=27 February 2020|website=Firstpost|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> US Senator and ] candidate ] and other American politicians expressed their concerns over the events. In response, on 27 February 2020, the ] spokesperson, ], stated that these remarks were "factually inaccurate", "misleading" and "aimed at politicising the issue".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/comments-by-uscirf-others-on-delhi-violence-attempt-to-politicise-issue-mea/article30929288.ece|title=Comments by USCIRF, others on Delhi violence attempt to politicise issue: MEA|date=27 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=27 February 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> BJP general secretary BL Santhosh threatened Sanders with election interference due to his condemnation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-violence-bjp-leader-threatens-bernie-sanders-with-us-election-interference_in_5e573f59c5b66137fb5d90d1|title=BJP General Secretary Threatens Bernie Sanders With US Election Interference|date=27 February 2020|work=Huffington Post India|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> The US issued a travel advisory for its citizens to exercise caution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-new-delhi-4/|title=Security Alert – U.S. Embassy, New Delhi|date=26 February 2020|website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

On 27 February, United Nations ], ], stated, "Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed—in a mostly peaceful manner—their opposition to the Act, and support for the country's long tradition of ]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/un-rights-chief-concerned-by-india-violence/1747209|title=UN rights chief concerned by India violence|date=27 February 2020|first1=Peter|last1=Kenny|publisher=Anadolu Agency|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref> She expressed concern on the citizenship law and reports of "police inaction" during the communal attacks in Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/delhi-riots-indian-un-human-rights-supreme-court-modi-a9372966.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304131708/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/delhi-riots-indian-un-human-rights-supreme-court-modi-a9372966.html |archive-date=4 March 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=UN human rights chief launches unprecedented legal action against Indian government over citizenship protests|date=3 March 2020|first1=Adam|last1=Withnall|website=The Independent|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref> Twelve eminent citizens of ] also expressed grave concern over the communal clashes on that day. They expressed fear that India's failure to handle the situation could create a volatile environment in its neighbouring countries, which could destroy peace, democracy, development and communal harmony in the region.<ref>{{cite news |title= Eminent Bangladesh citizens express concern over Delhi riots
|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2020/02/27/eminent-bangladesh-citizens-express-concern-over-delhi-riots
|access-date=28 February 2020 |website=Dhaka Tribune |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> The ], ], wanted lessons to be learned from ]'s handling of the ] for ways to handle the riots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/learn-from-tiananmen-square-massacre-to-handle-the-riots-tathagata-roy/cid/1748921|title=Learn from Tiananmen Square massacre to handle the riots: Tathagata Roy|date=27 February 2020|access-date=28 February 2020|work=The Telegraph (Kolkata)}}</ref> Also on the same day, ] ] criticised the violence. He said, "India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/india-slams-turkey-president-for-delhi-riots-remark-calls-it-political-agenda-1502863150.html|title=India slams Turkey President for Delhi riots remark, calls it 'political agenda'|date=6 March 2020|website=The Statesman|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref>


On 2 March, the ], ], alleged that the Delhi riot was a "planned genocide".<ref>{{cite news |title= 'দিল্লি হিংসা পরিকল্পিত গণহত্যা', বিস্ফোরক মমতা On 2 March, the ], ], alleged that the Delhi riot was a "planned genocide".<ref>{{cite news |title= 'দিল্লি হিংসা পরিকল্পিত গণহত্যা', বিস্ফোরক মমতা
|url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/politics/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-delhi-violence-genocide-197885/ |url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/politics/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-delhi-violence-genocide-197885/
|accessdate=3 March 2020 |website=The Indian Express|language=bn|date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/delhi-violence-was-a-planned-genocide-says-mamata/article30961965.ece|title=Delhi violence was a planned genocide, says Mamata Banerjee|date=2020-03-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-07|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |access-date=3 March 2020 |website=The Indian Express|language=bn|date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Shiv Sahay|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/delhi-violence-was-a-planned-genocide-says-mamata/article30961965.ece|title=Delhi violence was a planned genocide, says Mamata Banerjee|date=2 March 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=7 March 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 5 March, ], ], asked the Indian Government to confront extremist Hindus and their parties and stop the massacre of Muslims of India, to prevent India from being isolated from the world of Islam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/confront-extremist-hindus-and-their-parties-says-irans-supreme-leader-to-india/article30991975.ece|title=After Zarif and Qalibaf, Ayatollah Khamenei calls on India to stop 'massacre of Muslims'|date=5 March 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=7 March 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


==Investigation==
On 5th March, ], ], asked the Indian Government to confront extremist Hindus and their parties and stop the massacre of Muslims of India, to prevent India from being isolated from the world of Islam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/confront-extremist-hindus-and-their-parties-says-irans-supreme-leader-to-india/article30991975.ece|title=After Zarif and Qalibaf, Ayatollah Khamenei calls on India to stop 'massacre of Muslims'|date=2020-03-05|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-07|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
On 27 February 2020, the Delhi Police reported that two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) had been formed to investigate the violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/hindu-couple-delhi-riots_in_5e65e917c5b6670e72fa8500|title=Hindu Couple Who Lost Son To Delhi Riots Refuses To Fuel Muslim Mudslinging|date=9 March 2020|website=HuffPost India|access-date=23 March 2020|quote=Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) of Delhi Police's crime branch have been set up to probe into the Delhi Riots.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Stella |title=2 Special Investigation Teams Formed To Probe Delhi Clashes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/special-investigation-team-to-probe-delhi-violence-in-which-38-have-died-2186779 |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=ANI |publisher=The NDTV |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> DCP Joy Tirkey and DCP Rajesh Deo were appointed head of these SITs respectively, along with four ] in each team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two SITs to probe northeast Delhi violence; death toll mounts to 38 |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-police-transfers-northeast-delhi-riots-probe-to-crime-branch-forms-two-sits-11582810858029.html |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=The Live Mint |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> ] of crime branch, B.K. Singh, was announced to be supervising the work of the SITs. On 28 February 2020, the police also called in ] teams, who visited the crime scenes to collect evidence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi violence: Police say 630 taken into custody, 148 FIRs filed so far |url=https://scroll.in/latest/954663/delhi-violence-police-say-630-taken-into-custody-123-firs-filed-so-far |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=The Scroll |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>


{{As of|2020|03|07|df=}}, police had registered 690 FIRs and around 2200 individuals involved in the violence were taken into custody.<ref name="IT690Cases" /> Some activists were charged with offences under the ] and the Arms Act. Their friends and relatives alleged that they were tortured in custody.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/feb/28/delhi-riots-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-arrested-ex-congress-municipal-councillor-ishrat-jahan-2109944.html |title=Delhi riots: Court rejects bail plea of arrested ex-Congress municipal councillor Ishrat Jahan|work=The New Indian Express|date=28 February 2020|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="incitement3">{{cite news|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/firs-filed-in-delhi-riot-cases-double-in-last-twenty-four-hours/story-2ENuPDVMt5zMPFX09IcI6N.html|title=FIRs filed in Delhi riot cases double in last twenty-four hours|work=Hindustan Times|date=28 February 2020|access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="incitement4">{{cite news|url= https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-violence-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-arrested-excong-municipal-councillor-ishrat-jahan/1747456|title=Delhi violence: Court rejects bail plea of arrested ex-Cong municipal councillor Ishrat Jahan|publisher=Outlook India|date=28 February 2020|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/954538/two-anti-caa-activists-arrested-by-delhi-police-were-tortured-in-custody-allege-family-members|title=Two anti-CAA activists arrested by Delhi police were tortured in custody, allege family members|last1=Johari|first1=Aarefa|website=Scroll.in|date=27 February 2020|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> During a parliamentary debate over the riots on 11 March, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that rioters who had come from ] had been identified.<ref name="AlJazeeraHumanity13Mar">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/humanity-india-opposition-slams-gov-delhi-violence-200313101738869.html|title='Show humanity': India opposition slams gov't on Delhi violence|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=13 March 2020|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref>
===Response by the government===
On 24 February 2020, the ] stated that the violence appeared orchestrated to coincide with President ]'s ] to India.<ref name="Orchestrated">{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-violence-in-delhi-orchestrated-for-publicity-as-trump-is-visiting-india-sources/347807 |title=Delhi Violence Effort To Defame India Globally: MoS Home Affairs |work=] |date=February 24, 2020 |accessdate=March 9, 2020 |quote=Union Minister of State for Home Affairs on Monday said that the violence in North-East Delhi was orchestrated with an eye on US President's visit to India.}}</ref> The Ministry also refused to bring in the Army to control the riots and stated that the number of central forces and policemen on the ground was adequate. More than 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the area.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb" />


In 2021, Mohd Wasim, Mohd Ayaz and Khalid were arrested for involvement in the murder of Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quint |first=The |date=2023-06-21 |title=Delhi Riots 2020: Police Arrest Accused in Head Constable Ratan Lal's Murder |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/delhi-riots-2020-head-constable-ratan-lal-murder-accused-arrested |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, an unnammed woman and a man named Munjtajim was arrested for Ratan Lal and Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma's murder respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quint |first=The |date=2022-10-15 |title=Delhi Riots: Woman Accused in Constable Ratan Lal's Murder Arrested from Noida |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/delhi-riots-accused-woman-head-constable-ratan-lal-arrest |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=IB staffer Ankit Sharma’s murder during Delhi riots: Over 2 yrs on, key accused held; visit to chemist gave him away |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-riots-ankit-sharma-ib-officer-northeast-delhi-riots-8204994/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
===Home Ministry's meeting===
On the morning of 25 February 2020, the ] ] chaired an urgent meeting of all party MLAs from the violence-hit areas and senior officials. Several MLAs raised concerns on the lack of deployment of enough policemen.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" /> The concerns were raised by Kejriwal in the subsequent meeting chaired by Home Minister Shah and attended by ] ] and senior police officials. The meeting concluded with the decision to take all possible steps to contain violence. Kejriwal stated that Shah had assured the availability of an adequate number of policemen.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" />


===Supreme Court hearing===
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was given the responsibility of restoring peace in the region.<ref name="Hindu Live 26Feb" /><ref name="Cabinet Security Meeting">{{cite news |title=Top Cabinet Security Meeting As 20 Killed In Delhi Clashes: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-number-of-deaths-rises-to-17-2185746 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> On 26 February, Doval travelled to the violence-hit regions and spoke to locals, assuring them of normalcy.<ref>{{cite web |title=NSA Ajit Doval Takes Charge of Northeast Delhi, Briefs Amit Shah |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nsa-ajit-doval-visits-violence-hit-northeast-delhi-reviews-security-2186149 |website=] |accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref>
] chief ], along with former ] ] and social activist Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, filed an appeal in the Supreme Court requesting that the police be directed to file reports over cases of violence that had occurred since the night of 23 February. The petition also accused Mishra of "inciting and orchestrating the riots".<ref name="Bhim">{{cite news |title=In plea to Supreme Court, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad blames BJP's Kapil Mishra for Delhi clashes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-plea-to-sc-bhim-army-chief-blames-kapil-mishra-for-delhi-clashes/story-5D4yNzDdcZcQQZXG7hezEP.html |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2020 }}</ref> During the hearing held on 26 February, the Supreme Court criticized the Delhi Police for not having done enough to stop the violence. However, the bench, consisting of Justices ] and ], did not entertain the plea, stating that the case was already in the ].<ref name="Outlook Supreme Court Plea">{{cite news |title=Plea in SC claims Kapil Mishra incited violence |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/plea-in-sc-claims-kapil-mishra-incited-violence/1743937 |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=Outlook India |date=25 February 2020 }}</ref><ref name="SC hearing 26 Feb">{{cite news |title=Police let instigators get away, could've stopped clashes: Supreme Court pulls up cops over violence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-slams-delhi-police-over-violence-1650112-2020-02-26 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


===Relief measures=== ===Delhi High Court hearing===
Activists ] and ] filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, demanding that the police report and arrest those involved in the violence on 25 February. The plea further demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up to investigate the incident and that compensation be provided to those killed and injured. It also requested for the immediate deployment of the ] in the affected areas.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" />
On 27 February, Kejriwal announced free treatment for the injured in government as well as private hospitals under the Farishta scheme. The government had made arrangements with the help of ]s to supply food in areas where a curfew had been imposed. He also announced a compensation amount of {{INRConvert|1|m|lk=r}} to affected people, {{INRConvert|100|k}} ex-gratia, and {{INRConvert|500|k}} in the case of a death of a minor.<ref name="IE 27 Feb Live" /> He also announced that the Delhi government had set up nine shelters for the people affected by the riots. For people whose houses were completely burnt, immediate assistance of {{INRConvert|25000}} was announced.<ref name="28Feb Hindu" />


====Court hearing on 26 February====
Food and other relief materials were distributed with the help of ]s and NGOs.<ref name="TH_compensation">{{cite news |title=Government to start distributing ₹25,000 to victims of violence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/government-to-start-distributing-25000-to-victims-of-violence/article30946782.ece |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=29 February 2020 }}</ref> BJP leaders Tajinder Bagga and Kapil Mishra collected {{INRConvert|7.1|m}} for the Hindu victims of Delhi riots via crowdfunding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/03/02/delhi-violence-kapil-mishra-bagga-crowdfund-over-rs-71-lakh-for-hindu-victims.html|title=Delhi violence: Kapil Mishra, Bagga crowdfund over Rs 71 lakh for Hindu victims|website=The Week|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref>
At midnight on 26 February, the court bench, consisting of Justices ] and Talwant Singh, heard the emergency plea,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/in-unprecedented-midnight-hearing-delhi-hc-judge-orders-at-immediate-evacuation-of-the-injured-from-al-hind-hospital-at-mustafabad-6286865/|title=In midnight hearing, Delhi High Court orders evacuation of injured from Mustafabad's Al-Hind Hospital|date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/law/delhi-riots-give-injured-muslims-safe-passage-hc-directs-police-in-late-night-order|title=Delhi Riots: Give Injured Muslims Safe Passage, HC Directs Police in Late Night Order|website=The Wire}}</ref> following which, the court ordered the police to safeguard and help all victims to reach their nearest hospitals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/midnight-hearing-at-justice-muralidhar-residence-delhi-hc-directs-delhi-police-to-provide-safe-passage-to-injured-victims-to-govt-hospitals|title=Hearing at 1&nbsp;am at Justice Muralidhar Residence: Delhi HC directs Police to provide safe passage to injured victims to Govt hospitals|website=Bar and Bench – Indian Legal news|date=25 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-urgent-midnight-hearing-delhi-hc-asks-cops-to-give-emergency-treatment-to-injured-stuck-in-ne-delhi-hospital/story-Dy5q6xxRxZrdZOZ7n0XE2J.html|title=Delhi clashes: Cops 'didn't respond' to SOS, judges step in at midnight hearing|date=26 February 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-riots-delhi-hc-holds-midnight-hearing-to-direct-police-to-ensure-safe-passage-of-injured-victims-to-hospitals-153148|title=Delhi Riots : At Midnight Hearing, Delhi HC Directs Police To Ensure Safe Passage Of Injured Victims To Hospitals|website=LiveLaw News|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


In the hearing during the morning, DCP of crime branch, Rajesh Deo, and the ], ], surprised the court by admitting that they had not watched the video of the inflammatory speech given by Kapil Mishra. However, Deo admitted to have watched the videos of ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathur |first1=Anisha |title=Amazed: Delhi HC can't believe cops haven't watched Kapil Mishra hate speech |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-high-court-kapil-mishra-hate-speech-video-1650153-2020-02-26 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The India Today |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="HC 26 Feb ABP">{{cite news |work=ABP News |title=Delhi Riots {{!}} HC Directs Police To Register FIR Against Kapil Mishra, Others For Inflammatory Speeches |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/delhi-riots-hc-directs-police-to-register-fir-against-kapil-mishra-others-for-inflammatory-speeches-1165895 |access-date=26 February 2020 |date=26 February 2020 }}</ref> The Court then played the video clip of Kapil Mishra's speech.<ref name="HC 26 Feb">{{cite news |title=Kapil Mishra's controversial speech played in Delhi High Court |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kapil-mishras-controversial-speech-played-in-delhi-high-court/article30920985.ece |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020 }}</ref> The bench expressed "anguish" over the inability of the Delhi Police to control the riots and its failure to file FIRs against four BJP leaders, Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and ]<ref name="IT2"/> for their hate speeches. The bench also noted that incidents like the ] must be prevented from ever occurring again in Delhi.<ref name="JudgeTransfer">{{cite news |title=President orders transfer of Delhi High Court judge Muralidhar day after he pulls up police over violence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-orders-transfer-of-delhi-high-court-justice-muralidhar-1650395-2020-02-27 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=27 February 2020 }}</ref>
==Investigation==
On 27 February 2020, the Delhi Police reported that two ]s (SIT) had been formed to investigate the violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/hindu-couple-delhi-riots_in_5e65e917c5b6670e72fa8500|title=Hindu Couple Who Lost Son To Delhi Riots Refuses To Fuel Muslim Mudslinging|date=2020-03-09|website=HuffPost India|access-date=2020-03-23|quote=Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) of Delhi Police’s crime branch have been set up to probe into the Delhi Riots.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Stella |title=2 Special Investigation Teams Formed To Probe Delhi Clashes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/special-investigation-team-to-probe-delhi-violence-in-which-38-have-died-2186779 |accessdate=28 February 2020 |work=ANI |publisher=The NDTV |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> DCP Joy Tirkey and DCP Rajesh Deo were appointed head of these SITs respectively, along with four ] in each team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two SITs to probe northeast Delhi violence; death toll mounts to 38 |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-police-transfers-northeast-delhi-riots-probe-to-crime-branch-forms-two-sits-11582810858029.html |accessdate=28 February 2020 |work=The Live Mint |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> ] of crime branch, B.K. Singh is supervising the work of the SITs. On 28 February 2020, the police also informed ] teams who visited the crime scenes to collect evidence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi violence: Police say 630 taken into custody, 148 FIRs filed so far |url=https://scroll.in/latest/954663/delhi-violence-police-say-630-taken-into-custody-123-firs-filed-so-far |accessdate=28 February 2020 |work=The Scroll |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>


====Transfer of Justice Muralidhar====
{{As of|2020|03|07|df=}}, police had registered 690 FIRs and around 2200 individuals involved in the violence were taken into custody.<ref name="IT690Cases" /> Some activists were charged with offences under the ] and the Arms Act. Their friends and relatives alleged that they were tortured in custody.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/feb/28/delhi-riots-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-arrested-ex-congress-municipal-councillor-ishrat-jahan-2109944.html |title=Delhi riots: Court rejects bail plea of arrested ex-Congress municipal councillor Ishrat Jahan|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=28 February 2020|accessdate=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="incitement3">{{cite news|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/firs-filed-in-delhi-riot-cases-double-in-last-twenty-four-hours/story-2ENuPDVMt5zMPFX09IcI6N.html|title=FIRs filed in Delhi riot cases double in last twenty-four hours|publisher=The Hindustan Times|date=28 February 2020|accessdate=13 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="incitement4">{{cite news|url= https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-violence-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-arrested-excong-municipal-councillor-ishrat-jahan/1747456|title=Delhi violence: Court rejects bail plea of arrested ex-Cong municipal councillor Ishrat Jahan|publisher=Outlook India|date=28 February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/954538/two-anti-caa-activists-arrested-by-delhi-police-were-tortured-in-custody-allege-family-members|title=Two anti-CAA activists arrested by Delhi police were tortured in custody, allege family members|last=Johari|first=Aarefa|website=Scroll.in|date=27 February 2020|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref>
Late on the night of 26 February, Justice S. Muralidhar, who had presided over the plea hearing, was transferred to the ]. This was the same day on which he had condemned the Delhi Police for its failure in controlling the riots or filing cases against BJP leaders for hate speech.<ref name="GuardianToll38">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/27/death-toll-from-delhis-worst-riots-in-decades-rises-to-38|title=Death toll from Delhi's worst riots in decades rises to 38|date=27 February 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 March 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="BBCJudge">{{cite news |title=Anger as judge critical of Delhi violence removed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51644861 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> However, the Law Minister ] stated that this was a routine transfer<ref name="GuardianToll38" /> which had been recommended by the Supreme Court a fortnight before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/bjp-congress-justice-muralidhar_in_5e57578ac5b66622ed76a440|title=BJP And Congress Spar Over Transfer Of Justice Muralidhar, Who Pulled Up Delhi Police|date=27 February 2020|website=HuffPost India|first1=Akshita|last1=Jain|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> '']'' reported that Muralidhar's "biting comments could have hastened his transfer". The news of his removal from the case was criticised by many Indians who expressed concern.<ref name="BBCJudge" /> The Congress party called his transfer a move to protect the accused BJP leaders.<ref name="JudgeTransferIT">{{cite news |title=Justice Muralidhar transfer: Congress says hit and run move to protect BJP leaders |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/justice-muralidhar-transfer-congress-ravi-shankar-prasad-1650445-2020-02-27 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=27 February 2020 }}</ref> The Delhi High Court Bar Association criticised the transfer and asked the ] to revoke it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-high-court-judge-s-muralidhar-hearing-delhi-violence-case-moved-to-punjab-and-haryana-high-cou-2186313|title=High Court Judge Who Criticised Cops Over Delhi Violence Transferred|date=27 February 2020|first1=Arvind |last1=Gunasekar|website=NDTV.com|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref>


==Supreme Court hearing== ====Court hearing under new bench====
] chief ], along with former ] ] and social activist Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, filed an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the police to file reports over cases of violence that occurred since the night of 23 February. His petition also accused Mishra of "inciting and orchestrating the riots".<ref name="Bhim">{{cite news |title=In plea to Supreme Court, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad blames BJP's Kapil Mishra for Delhi clashes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-plea-to-sc-bhim-army-chief-blames-kapil-mishra-for-delhi-clashes/story-5D4yNzDdcZcQQZXG7hezEP.html |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2020 }}</ref> The plea was filed through Advocate Mehmood Pracha, in an intervention in a matter relating to removal of protesters from the public road in ] and is scheduled for hearing on 26 February.<ref name="Outlook Supreme Court Plea">{{cite news |title=Plea in SC claims Kapil Mishra incited violence |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/plea-in-sc-claims-kapil-mishra-incited-violence/1743937 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=IANS |date=25 February 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Shoot25Feb" />


On 27 February, the court resumed the hearing with a new bench consisting of ] ] and Justice C. Hari Shankar. During the previous hearing, the Delhi police were given 24 hours to decide on the filing of FIRs over hate speeches by four BJP leaders. The government's lawyer claimed that the situation was not "conducive" and that the government needed more time before it could take appropriate action. The new bench accepted the same arguments that the previous bench had rejected and agreed to give the government more time to decide on filing of the cases for hate speech.<ref name="livelawChange">{{cite news |publisher=LiveLaw News Network |title=Delhi Riots Case Hearing : How Things Changed in a Day With Change Of Bench? |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-riots-case-hearing-how-things-changed-in-a-day-with-change-of-bench-153214 |access-date=27 February 2020 |date=27 February 2020 }}</ref> The petitioners' lawyer requested an earlier hearing, citing the increasing number of deaths, but the court set 13 April as the date of the next hearing.<ref name="WireHCAccepts">{{cite news |title=Delhi HC Accepts Centre's Logic, Gives 4 Weeks to Respond to Plea Seeking Hate Speech FIR |url=https://thewire.in/law/delhi-high-court-hate-speech |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The Wire |date=27 February 2020}}</ref>
On 26 February, while hearing the issue, the Supreme Court criticized Delhi Police for not doing enough to stop the inflammatory speech and the violence. The bench, consisting of Justices Sanjay ] and ], slammed the police for lack of "professionalism" and questioned why the police had to wait for orders to act during such law and order situation.<ref name="SC hearing 26 Feb">{{cite news |title=Police let instigators get away, could've stopped clashes: Supreme Court pulls up cops over violence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-slams-delhi-police-over-violence-1650112-2020-02-26 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> The court added that the violence could have been prevented if the police had taken the necessary action on the people who incited violence. The Supreme Court did not entertain any plea on the Delhi incidents as the case is being heard in the ].<ref name="SC hearing 26 Feb"/>


On 28 February, the court issued notices to the local and central governments seeking their responses on registering FIRs on Congress party leaders ], ], and ] on the charges of delivering hate speeches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/delhi-high-court-issues-notices-on-plea-for-fir-against-gandhis-593358|title=Delhi High Court issues notices on plea for FIR against Gandhis, others|date=28 February 2020|publisher=India TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/02/28/delhi-violence-meet-the-politicians-taken-to-court-for-hate-speech|title=Delhi violence: Meet the politicians taken to court for hate speech|date=28 February 2020|publisher=newslaundry.com}}</ref> Hearing another plea, the bench also issued notice to the Delhi police and the central government for their response on registering FIR on AAP MLA ], actress ], activist ] and on ] leaders like ], ], and ]. The court later posted the matter to be heard again on 13 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/breaking-delhi-hc-issues-notice-in-pleas-seeking-firs-against-swara-bhasker-amanatullah-khan-harsh-mander-rj-sayema-and-owaisi-brothers|title=Breaking: Delhi HC issues notice in pleas seeking FIRs against Swara Bhasker, Amanatullah Khan, Harsh Mander, RJ Sayema and Owaisi brothers|date=28 February 2020|publisher=Bar And Bench}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/28/hate-speech-delhi-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-on-pleas-seeking-fir-against-owaisi-brothers-2109804.html|title=Hate speech: Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on pleas seeking FIR against Owaisi brothers|date=28 February 2020|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
==High Court hearing==
A plea was filed in the Delhi High Court, seeking police reports and arrests of the people involved in the violence.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" /> It was to be received for an urgent hearing on 25 February. However, the court stated that the plea would be heard on 26 February. The plea filed by activists ] and ] also asked for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident, in addition to compensation for those killed and injured. It also requested for the deployment of the ] to maintain law and order in the affected areas of Delhi.<ref name="Shoot25Feb" />


AAP leader Tahir Hussain was denied bail.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Enough Material On Record": Tahir Hussain Denied Bail In Two Delhi Riots Cases|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-riots-former-aap-councillor-tahir-hussain-denied-bail-in-two-cases-2442446|access-date=18 July 2021|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The court said there's enough material on record to presume the former councillor was present at the spot of crime and was instigating the rioters. Karkardooma court in Delhi framed murder and conspiracy charges against Aam Aadmi Party leader Tahir Hussain and ten others for the murder of IB officer. While framing the charges, the court observed, “Tahir was continuously acting in a manner of supervising & motivating this mob. All these things were done to target Hindus. Every member of the mob assembled there participated in achieving the objective of targeting Hindus".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Prashant |title=Delhi Riots 2020: Delhi Court frames murder charges against Tahir Hussain, 10 others for death for IB officer Ankit Sharma |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-riots-2020-delhi-court-frames-murder-charges-tahir-hussain-10-others-death-ib-officer-ankit-sharma |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news |date=23 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thapliyal |first=Nupur |date=23 March 2023 |title='Killed Because He Was Hindu': Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Tahir Hussain, Others For Murder Of IB Staffer Ankit Sharma |url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/delhi-court-frames-charges-tahir-hussain-others-murder-ib-staffer-ankit-sharma-224596 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=Delhi riots: Court frames charges against former AAP MLA Tahir Hussain |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-riots-court-frames-charges-against-former-aap-mla-tahir-hussain-101679597114314.html |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
===Court hearing on 26 February===
At midnight on 26 February, the court bench consisting of Justices ] and Talwant Singh, heard the plea to provide the safe passage to the riot victims to reach their nearest government or private hospitals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/in-unprecedented-midnight-hearing-delhi-hc-judge-orders-at-immediate-evacuation-of-the-injured-from-al-hind-hospital-at-mustafabad-6286865/|title=In midnight hearing, Delhi High Court orders evacuation of injured from Mustafabad's Al-Hind Hospital|date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/law/delhi-riots-give-injured-muslims-safe-passage-hc-directs-police-in-late-night-order|title=Delhi Riots: Give Injured Muslims Safe Passage, HC Directs Police in Late Night Order|website=The Wire}}</ref> Following this, the court ordered the police to safeguard and help all victims to reach their nearest hospitals. The bench also directed the police to submit a report of compliance that would include information about the injured victims and the treatments offered to them. The same was to be placed before the court for the following hearing date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/midnight-hearing-at-justice-muralidhar-residence-delhi-hc-directs-delhi-police-to-provide-safe-passage-to-injured-victims-to-govt-hospitals|title=Hearing at 1 AM at Justice Muralidhar Residence: Delhi HC directs Police to provide safe passage to injured victims to Govt hospitals|website=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-urgent-midnight-hearing-delhi-hc-asks-cops-to-give-emergency-treatment-to-injured-stuck-in-ne-delhi-hospital/story-Dy5q6xxRxZrdZOZ7n0XE2J.html|title=Delhi clashes: Cops 'didn't respond' to SOS, judges step in at midnight hearing|date=26 February 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-riots-delhi-hc-holds-midnight-hearing-to-direct-police-to-ensure-safe-passage-of-injured-victims-to-hospitals-153148|title=Delhi Riots : At Midnight Hearing, Delhi HC Directs Police To Ensure Safe Passage Of Injured Victims To Hospitals|website=LiveLaw News|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


In September 2021, a Delhi High Court Justice, Subramonium Prasad, noted{{where|date=December 2021}} that the riots were a "preplanned and pre-meditated conspiracy to disturb law and order in the city" and that the rioters' conduct "was a calculated attempt to dislocate the functioning of the government as well as to disrupt the normal life of the people in the city."<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=28 September 2021|title=High Court says Delhi riots were pre-planned|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/high-court-says-delhi-riots-were-pre-planned/article36707384.ece|access-date=2 October 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
In the morning during the hearing, the court asked the DCP of crime branch, Rajesh Deo, and the ], ], if they had watched the inflammatory speech given by ]. In response, DCP Deo surprised the court by saying he did not watch the video of Mishra but watched videos of ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathur |first1=Anisha |title=Amazed: Delhi HC can't believe cops haven't watched Kapil Mishra hate speech |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-high-court-kapil-mishra-hate-speech-video-1650153-2020-02-26 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=The India Today |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="HC 26 Feb ABP">{{cite news |work=ABP News |title=Delhi Riots {{!}} HC Directs Police To Register FIR Against Kapil Mishra, Others For Inflammatory Speeches |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/delhi-riots-hc-directs-police-to-register-fir-against-kapil-mishra-others-for-inflammatory-speeches-1165895 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |date=26 February 2020 }}</ref> The Court then played the video clip of Kapil Mishra's speech, going on to direct the police to decide within 24 hours on filing cases related to the hate speeches made by the four BJP leaders, Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and ].<ref name="IT2"/><ref name="HC 26 Feb">{{cite news |title=Kapil Mishra's controversial speech played in Delhi High Court |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kapil-mishras-controversial-speech-played-in-delhi-high-court/article30920985.ece |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020 }}</ref> The bench had expressed "anguish" over the inability of Delhi Police to control the riots and its failure to file FIRs against the BJP leaders for their hate speeches. It was noted that Delhi could not be allowed to repeat incidents like the ].<ref name="JudgeTransfer">{{cite news |title=President orders transfer of Delhi High Court judge Muralidhar day after he pulls up police over violence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-orders-transfer-of-delhi-high-court-justice-muralidhar-1650395-2020-02-27 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=27 February 2020 }}</ref>


===Transfer of Justice Muralidhar=== === Court convictions ===
On 13 March, court convicted nine persons involved in the riots. The court noted that the main objective of the convicts who joined the unruly mob guided by ‘communal feelings’ was to cause ‘maximum damage to the properties belonging to the people of the Hindu community'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thapliyal |first=Nupur |date=15 March 2023 |title=Delhi Riots: After Acquittal In Two FIRs, Court Convicts Accused Men On Basis Of Evidence Of Cop Who Earlier Cited Memory Loss |url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/delhi-riots-after-acquittal-court-convicts-accused-cop-identification-memory-loss-223770 |access-date=15 March 2023 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref> A further 2 have been subsequently convicted of crimes relating to the riots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Anand |date=26 February 2023 |title=3 years after Delhi violence, verdicts in less than a tenth of riot, arson cases |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/3-years-after-delhi-violence-verdicts-in-less-than-a-tenth-of-riot-arson-cases-8466792/ |access-date=25 March 2023 |website=indianexpress.com/ |language=en}}</ref>
Late on the night of 26 February, Justice S. Muralidhar who presided over the plea hearing, was transferred to ]. He was transferred on the same day he condemned the Delhi Police for its failure in controlling the riots or filing cases against BJP leader for hate speech.<ref name="GuardianToll38">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/27/death-toll-from-delhis-worst-riots-in-decades-rises-to-38|title=Death toll from Delhi's worst riots in decades rises to 38|date=2020-02-27|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-03-23|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="BBCJudge">{{cite news |title=Anger as judge critical of Delhi violence removed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51644861 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=27 February 2020}}</ref> However, the Law Minister ] stated that this was a routine transfer<ref name="GuardianToll38" /> which had been recommended by the Supreme Court a fortnight before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/bjp-congress-justice-muralidhar_in_5e57578ac5b66622ed76a440|title=BJP And Congress Spar Over Transfer Of Justice Muralidhar, Who Pulled Up Delhi Police|date=2020-02-27|website=HuffPost India|first=Akshita|last=Jain|access-date=2020-03-23}}</ref> '']'' reported that Muralidhar's "biting comments could have hastened his transfer". The news of his removal from the case was criticised by many Indians who expressed concern.<ref name="BBCJudge" /> The Congress party called his transfer a move to protect the accused BJP leaders.<ref name="JudgeTransferIT">{{cite news |title=Justice Muralidhar transfer: Congress says hit and run move to protect BJP leaders |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/justice-muralidhar-transfer-congress-ravi-shankar-prasad-1650445-2020-02-27 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=27 February 2020 }}</ref> The Delhi High Court Bar Association criticised the transfer and asked the ] to revoke it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-high-court-judge-s-muralidhar-hearing-delhi-violence-case-moved-to-punjab-and-haryana-high-cou-2186313|title=High Court Judge Who Criticised Cops Over Delhi Violence Transferred|date=27 February 2020|first=Arvind |last=Gunasekar|website=NDTV.com|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref>


==Aftermath==
===Court hearing under new bench===
In the aftermath of the riots, many Muslims who had been living in the riot-affected neighbourhoods left with all their belongings.<ref name="NYTimes-Analysis-March1" /> Even in areas of Delhi which were not affected by the violence, many Muslim families packed up their belongings and left for their ancestral villages, showing no intention of ever coming back.<ref name="guardian-3-6-20" /> According to complaints received by lawyers representing Muslim victims of the riots, the police had threatened to falsely implicate the victims in police cases if they filed any complaints against the rioters.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ellis-Petersen|first1=Hannah|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/delhis-muslims-despair-justice-police-implicated-hindu-riots|title=Delhi's Muslims despair of justice after police implicated in riots|date=16 March 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 March 2020|last2=Rahman|first2=Shaikh Azizur|issn=0261-3077|quote=Police are using pressure tactics and trying to ensure that no complaint is filed against the rioters. We have received hundreds of complaints from Muslim people that police are threatening people, including women and children, that if they filed complaints, they would be implicated in false cases.}}</ref> {{As of|2020|10}}, many Muslim survivors of the riots reported harassment and humiliation within their immediate neighbourhoods and many even started selling their properties below the market price so as escape from this ordeal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aswani |first1=Tarushi |title=Muslims in Northeast Delhi Sell Homes Below Market Rate to Escape 'Continuing Harassment' |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/muslims-northeast-delhi-sell-homes-harassment-riots |website=] |publisher=The Wire |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> According to Zafarul Islam Khan, former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, 1,300 Muslim youth have been arrested since the riots began and pressure has been constantly mounted on the Delhi police to create a fabricated narrative that these youths started the riots.<ref>{{cite web |title='Delhi police arresting Muslims on fabricated charges' |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/delhi-police-arresting-muslims-on-fabricated-charges/20200831.htm |website=] |publisher=Rediff |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> The Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) had written in an order dated 8 July to senior officers heading probe teams and asked them to “suitably” guide the Investigating Officers to note that the arrests of “some Hindu youth” from riot-hit areas in Northeast Delhi has led to a “degree of resentment among the Hindu community” and “due care and precaution” must be taken while making such arrests.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manral |first1=Mahender Singh |title=Resentment in Hindus on arrests, take care: Special CP to probe teams |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/hindu-resentment-north-east-delhi-riots-special-cp-6506063/ |website=] (TIE) |date=16 July 2020 |publisher=TIE |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> This was despite the fact that the Delhi Police Crime Branch investigations into the murder of nine Muslims at and around Bhagirathi Vihar in North-East Delhi on 25 and 26 February had led to a WhatsApp group named "Kattar Hindu Ekta", which was created to mobilise rioters. The investigators had filed three chargesheets in connection with three of the murder cases and nine people were chargesheeted.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anwar |first1=Tarique |title=Delhi Violence: How 'Kattar Hindu Ekta' WhatsApp Group Mobilised Rioters for Killings |url=https://www.newsclick.in/Delhi-Violence-Kattar-Hindu-Ekta-WhatsApp-Group-Mobilised-Rioters-Killings |website=News Click |date=10 July 2020 |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> According to Hisham ul wahab,{{Who|date=March 2023}} "it has been a pattern in almost all the anti-Muslim violence in India that to call it “communal riots” in order to avoid the supposed blame over the perpetrators from the Hindu fold as well as to narrate it in a balanced/neutral way as both the communities involved in it are occupying equal and parallel power. However, an assessment of such a narrative with the help of various reports including the Sachar Committee report would be sufficient to explore the historical disparity and discrimination against the Muslim community in terms of socio-political-economic and educational parameters".<ref name="Wahab2020">{{Cite web|last=Wahab|first=P. Hisham ul|date=25 October 2020|title=A War of Narratives: Understanding 2020 Delhi Violence in India|url=http://southasiajournal.net/a-war-of-narratives-understanding-2020-delhi-violence-in-india/|access-date=27 October 2020|website=South Asia Journal|language=en-US}}</ref>
On 27 February, the court resumed the hearing with a new bench consisting of ] ] and Justice C. Hari Shankar. During the previous hearing, the Delhi police were given 24 hours to decide on the filing of FIRs over hate speeches by four BJP leaders. The government's lawyer claimed that the situation was not "conducive" and that the government needed more time before it could take appropriate action. The new bench accepted the same arguments that the previous bench had rejected. The new bench agreed to give the government more time to decide on filing of the cases for hate speech.<ref name="livelawChange">{{cite news |publisher=LiveLaw News Network |title=Delhi Riots Case Hearing : How Things Changed In A Day With Change Of Bench? |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-riots-case-hearing-how-things-changed-in-a-day-with-change-of-bench-153214 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |date=27 February 2020 }}</ref> The petitioners' lawyer requested an earlier hearing, citing the increasing number of deaths, but the court set 13 April as the date of the next hearing.<ref name="WireHCAccepts">{{cite news |title=Delhi HC Accepts Centre's Logic, Gives 4 Weeks to Respond to Plea Seeking Hate Speech FIR |url=https://thewire.in/law/delhi-high-court-hate-speech |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=The Wire |date=27 February 2020}}</ref>


For those left homeless or who had run away from their homes out of fear, temporary relief camps were set up in houses, temples,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-riots-muslim-or-hindu-victims-government-absent-for-all/cid/1750491|title=Delhi riots: Muslim or Hindu victims, government absent for all|first1=Imran Ahmed|last1=Siddiqui|date=3 March 2020|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|access-date=19 April 2020}}</ref> ] and the Al-Hind Hospital.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2020/0310/As-Delhi-riot-wounds-heal-neighbors-look-for-the-way-ahead|title=As Delhi riot wounds heal, neighbors look for 'the way ahead'|first1=Sarita|last1=Santoshini|date=10 March 2020|work=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=9 April 2020|issn=0882-7729}}</ref> Camps housing larger numbers were erected in areas like Idgah, the Mustafabad prayer ground.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ellis-Petersen|first1=Hannah|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/how-can-i-go-back-delhi-fearful-muslims-mourn-riot-dead|title='I cannot find my father's body': Delhi's fearful Muslims mourn riot dead|date=6 March 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 March 2020|last2=Rahman|first2=Shaikh Azizur|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The Idgah camp was the largest among nine others and was funded by the government. However, it soon grew crowded. Volunteers helped victims by distributing carts to vendors and providing others with legal aid or even simple help in filling forms. Doctors volunteered to provide medical attention to people suffering from injuries. Most of the refugees were reported to suffer from skin rashes and the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/families-hit-by-india-riots-seek-refuge-in-delhi-camps/1764636|title=Families hit by India riots seek refuge in Delhi camps|publisher=Anadolu Agency|first1=Cheena|last1=Kapoor|date=13 March 2020|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> Many others, including the children, were reported to be suffering from anxiety and mental trauma. They reported to have lost their homes and their livelihoods and were awaiting government help to rebuild their lives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/delhi-riots-victims-struggle-to-rebuild-their-lives/a-52862427|title=Delhi riots: Victims struggle to rebuild their lives|last1=Welle|first1=Deutsche|website=DW.COM|date=20 March 2020|access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/delhi-riots-forced-thousands-of-muslims-from-their-homes-and-theyre-afraid-to-go-back/|title=Delhi riots forced thousands of Muslims from their homes, and they're afraid to go back|first1=Arshad R.|last1=Zargar|work=]|date=11 March 2020 |access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref> In another camp in Khajuri Khas, a team of ]s ran a relief assistance booth of the government. These victims then faced the threat of ], with ] being impossible given the number of people crowded in these camps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/india-delhi-riots-coronavirus-new-modi-deaths-cases-a9403131.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316154247/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/india-delhi-riots-coronavirus-new-modi-deaths-cases-a9403131.html |archive-date=16 March 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=The betrayal felt in the still-recovering areas hit by the Delhi riots makes coronavirus more of a threat|date=15 March 2020|website=The Independent|first1=Payal|last1=Dhar|access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref> Following this, the Delhi government forcefully evicted the residents of the Idgah camp by 30 March, leaving many homeless. The victims were promised rations and a sum of {{INRConvert|3000|year=2020}} to rent rooms for themselves, but not all were able to avail of these relief measures.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Dhillon|first1=Amrit|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/30/divided-delhi-under-lockdown-if-coronavirus-doesnt-kill-me-hunger-will|title=Divided Delhi under lockdown: 'If coronavirus doesn't kill me, hunger will'|date=30 March 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 April 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
On 28 February, the court issued notices to Delhi and central governments seeking their responses on registering FIRs on Congress party leaders ], ], and ] on the charges of delivering hate speeches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/delhi-high-court-issues-notices-on-plea-for-fir-against-gandhis-593358|title=Delhi High Court issues notices on plea for FIR against Gandhis, others|date=28 February 2020|publisher=India TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/02/28/delhi-violence-meet-the-politicians-taken-to-court-for-hate-speech|title=Delhi violence: Meet the politicians taken to court for hate speech|date=28 February 2020|publisher=newslaundry.com}}</ref> Hearing another plea, the bench also issued notice to Delhi police and central government for their response on registering FIR on ] MLA ], actress ], activist ] and on ] leaders like ], ], and ]. The court later posted the matter to be heard again on 13 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/breaking-delhi-hc-issues-notice-in-pleas-seeking-firs-against-swara-bhasker-amanatullah-khan-harsh-mander-rj-sayema-and-owaisi-brothers|title=Breaking: Delhi HC issues notice in pleas seeking FIRs against Swara Bhasker, Amanatullah Khan, Harsh Mander, RJ Sayema and Owaisi brothers|date=28 February 2020|publisher=Bar And Bench}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/28/hate-speech-delhi-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-on-pleas-seeking-fir-against-owaisi-brothers-2109804.html|title=Hate speech: Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on pleas seeking FIR against Owaisi brothers|date=28 February 2020|publisher=New Indian Express}}</ref>


], the ], stated that churches were using their resources to help those affected by the riots; the ], for example, engaged physicians, nurses, as well as ambulances to provide relief to affected people. He further stated that Catholic churches would accept those affected by the riots, especially with it being the season of ].<ref name="Vatican2020" />
== See also ==

Hindus and businesses run by them in the riot-affected areas began boycotting traders and refused to hire workers who were Muslims. They alleged that the Muslims had started the riots and had then blamed the Hindus for the violence. As a result of the growing distrust between the two communities in these areas, the Hindus and Muslims would avoid each other during the day and block the lanes to their respective neighbourhoods with barriers at night. Neighbourhoods of both communities put up metal gates to slow down the passage of rioters in the future, with some keeping themselves permanently armed with '']'' (bamboo sticks).<ref name=reuters-jain-ahmed-2020-3-16 />

Hindu politicians paraded injured victims with bandages wrapped around their heads in multiple "peace marches", alleging that they were victims of violence at the hands of Muslims. This incited more hatred towards Muslims.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-7 /> One such rally held on 29 February was organised by the Delhi Peace Forum, an NGO backed by the ], with people holding placards that said, "Delhi against jihadi violence". Kapil Mishra was seen at the rally,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/010320/bjp-leader-kapil-mishra-back-in-focus.html|title=BJP leader Kapil Mishra back in focus|last1=Bhushan|first1=Shashi|date=1 March 2020|website=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> while inflammatory slogans inciting people to "shoot the traitors" were heard.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Babu|first1=Nikhil M.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-kapil-mishra-participates-in-connaught-place-peace-march/article30949482.ece|title='Inflammatory' slogans raised at Connaught Place march with BJP leader Kapil Mishra in attendance|date=29 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=5 April 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-kapil-mishra-march-6293334/|title=Goli maaro slogan is back as Kapil Mishra leads 'peace' march|date=1 March 2020|first1=Abhinav|last1=Rajput|website=The Indian Express|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> Gangs of Hindus later appeared in multiple neighbourhoods and threatened the Muslims living there to abandon their homes before the Hindu festival of Holi, which was celebrated on 9 March 2020.<ref name=nytimes-2020-3-12-4 />

] news channels ] and ] were banned by the ] (I&B) for 48 hours on 6 March<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-violence-two-malayalam-news-channels-banned-ministry-of-information-and-broadcasting-6303175/|title=Centre bans two Malayalam TV channels for Delhi riots coverage: 'Critical of RSS, siding with one community'|date=7 March 2020|first1=Krishn|last1=Kaushik|website=The Indian Express|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> for broadcasting about the riots and the lack of action taken by the police. However, the ban was soon reversed by I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar, following multiple complaints.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Goel|first1=Vindu|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/world/asia/modi-india-press-media.html|title=Under Modi, India's Press Is Not So Free Anymore|date=2 April 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 April 2020|last2=Gettleman|first2=Jeffrey|issn=0362-4331|others=Photographs by Khandelwal, Saumya}}</ref>

During a parliamentary debate over the riots on 11 March, Home Minister Amit Shah gave his condolences to the families of those who died due to the violence and assured them of justice. He went on to commend the Delhi Police for their efforts and blamed Muslim leaders and members of the Congress party for instigating the riots. Another BJP ], ], accused ] elements of having organised the riots. Members of the opposition like ], ] and ] criticised the government for its lack of timely action.<ref name="AlJazeeraHumanity13Mar" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2020/03/11/opposition-blames-govt-for-new-delhi-rioting-killing-52.html|title=Opposition blames gov't for New Delhi rioting that killed 52|first1=Ashok|last1=Sharma|date=11 March 2020|website=Toronto Star|others=Associated Press|access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref>

In response to an ] application on 13 April, the Delhi Police stated that 23 people had died and 48 people had been arrested in connection with the riots. This was in stark contrast to the report of 52 deaths and 3,304 arrests submitted by Junior Home Minister ] on 18 March, who had obtained the figures from the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-death-toll-halved-arrests-vastly-reduced-in-delhi-polices-reply-to-rti_in_5ea01dd5c5b6b2e5b83a9754|title=Delhi Riots Death Toll Halved, Arrests Vastly Reduced in Delhi Police's Reply To RTI|first1=Akshay|last1=Deshmane|date=22 April 2020|website=HuffPost India|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref>

==Fact finding reports==
Various fact finding reports have been released about the violence surrounding the riots.<ref name="Wahab2020" />
* Delhi Minority Commission, “Report of the DMC fact-finding Committee on North-East Delhi Riots of February 2020”, 27 June 2020, New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/DMC-delhi-riots-fact-finding-2020|title = Delhi Riots Fact-Finding 2020 by Delhi Minorities Commission|date = July 2020}}</ref>
* ''Delhi Riots 2020: Report from Ground Zero – The Shaheen Bagh Model in North-East Delhi: From Dharna to Danga'', was submitted on 11 March 2020, by the ''Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA)'' led by ] advocate Monika Arora. This report suggests that the violence was attributed to an "Urban-]-] network" and portrays the events as a pre-planned outcome of a radicalized minority.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Delhi Riots 2020: A Critique of Two Purported Fact-Finding Reports |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-2020-a-critique-of-two-purported-fact-finding-reports |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Wire}}</ref>
* ''Delhi Riots: Conspiracy Unraveled'', submitted on 29 May 2020, by the ''Call for Justice (CFJ)'' group, led by Justice Ambadas Joshi, a retired judge of the ], asserts that "Anti-National, ] groups and other radical groups" deliberately carried out targeted attacks on the ] community. This report alleges meticulous planning and coordination behind the violence.<ref name=":0" />
* ], “Shoot the Traitors’: Discrimination Against Muslims under India's New Citizenship Policy”, April 2020, United States of America.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/04/09/shoot-traitors/discrimination-against-muslims-under-indias-new-citizenship-policy|title = "Shoot the Traitors"| journal=Human Rights Watch |date = 9 April 2020| last1=Bajoria | first1=Jayshree }}</ref>
* Youth for Human Rights Documentation, “An Account of Fear & Impunity: Preliminary Fact-Finding Report on Communally-Targeted Violence in North-East Delhi, February 2020”, New Delhi.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
* Sharma, Nupur J and Kalpojyoti Kashyap. (2020), Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots of 2020: The Macabre Dance of Violence Since December 2019, New Delhi: '']''.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}{{Clarify|reason=Is this actually a "fact" finding report from OpIndia?|date=March 2023}}
* ], “India: Six Months Since Delhi Riots, Delhi Police Continue To Enjoy Impunity Despite Evidence Of Human Rights Violations”, 28 August 2020, New Delhi.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
* In October 2022, a fact-finding committee found that the ] delayed the deployment of additional forces in the violence-hit areas. The committee headed by a former ] judge Madan B. Lokur concluded that the communal riots continued unabated between 23 and 26 February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi Riots: 'Delayed Deployment of Additional Forces Escalated Violence,' Says Fact-Finding Panel |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/police-complicit-careless-response-by-mha-fact-finding-committee-on-delhi-riots |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=The Wire}}</ref>

==Books on the riots==
In August 2020, a book titled '']'' by advocate Monika Arora and academics Sonali Chitalkar and Prerna Malhotra was scheduled to be published by Bloomsbury India, which however withdrew the book after facing criticism from other writers and activists.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=23 August 2020|title=Bloomsbury says it won't publish book on Delhi riots after social media backlash|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/bloomsbury-says-it-wont-publish-book-on-delhi-riots-after-social-media-backlash/article32420501.ece|access-date=27 August 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ajmal|first=Anam|date=23 August 2020|title=After social media rage, book on 2020 Delhi riots withdrawn|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/bloomsbury-withdraws-book-on-delhi-riots/articleshow/77699040.cms|access-date=27 August 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=24 August 2020|title=Does Bloomsbury's decision to withdraw book on Delhi riots undermine free speech? A debate ensues|url=https://scroll.in/article/971184/does-bloomsburys-decision-to-withdraw-book-on-delhi-riots-undermine-free-speech-a-debate-ensues|access-date=27 August 2020|website=]|language=en-US}}</ref> The new publishers ''Garuda Prakashan'' said that by 24 August, they had received 15,000 pre-orders.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agrawal|first=Soniya|date=24 August 2020|title=Publisher Garuda gets over 15k pre-orders in a day for Delhi riots book Bloomsbury cancelled|url=https://theprint.in/india/publisher-garuda-gets-over-15k-pre-orders-in-a-day-for-delhi-riots-book-bloomsbury-cancelled/488507/|access-date=27 August 2020|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
*{{Commons category inline|North East Delhi riots}}


==Footnotes== ==Notes==
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==Bibliography== ==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |last1=Amarasingam |first1=A. |last2=Umar |first2=S. |last3=Desai |first3=S. |title=Fight, Die, and If Required Kill": Hindu Nationalism, Misinformation, and Islamophobia in India |journal=Religions |date=2022 |volume=13 |issue=5 |pages=380 |doi=10.3390/rel13050380 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite news |title=Delhi violence: Four video clips that court made cops watch |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-four-videos-clips-that-court-made-cops-watch-1650273-2020-02-26 |accessdate=27 February 2020 |work=] |date=26 February 2020}}
* {{cite news |title=Delhi violence: Four video clips that court made cops watch |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-violence-four-videos-clips-that-court-made-cops-watch-1650273-2020-02-26 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=] |date=26 February 2020}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-police-head-constable-dies-maujpur-violence-caa-jaffrabad-live-updates-1649511-2020-02-24|title=Delhi violence: Clashes between pro and anti CAA protesters kill 5 (Timeline of 24 February)|date=25 February 2020 |website=India Today|access-date=27 February 2020}} * {{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-police-head-constable-dies-maujpur-violence-caa-jaffrabad-live-updates-1649511-2020-02-24|title=Delhi violence: Clashes between pro and anti CAA protesters kill 5 (Timeline of 24 February)|date=25 February 2020 |website=India Today|access-date=27 February 2020}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/news-today/video/india-above-hate-how-hindus-helped-muslims-muslims-helped-hindus-during-delhi-violence-1651001-2020-02-28|title=India above hate: How Hindus helped Muslims, Muslims helped Hindus during Delhi violence|date=28 February 2020 |website=India Today|access-date=3 March 2020}} * {{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/news-today/video/india-above-hate-how-hindus-helped-muslims-muslims-helped-hindus-during-delhi-violence-1651001-2020-02-28|title=India above hate: How Hindus helped Muslims, Muslims helped Hindus during Delhi violence|date=28 February 2020 |website=India Today|access-date=3 March 2020}}


== External links ==
{{Citizenship Amendment Act protests}}
* {{Commons category-inline|North East Delhi riots}}

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Latest revision as of 08:59, 18 December 2024

2020 series of riots in Delhi, India

2020 Delhi riots
(top) Muslim homes and businesses were set on fire during the rioting in Shiv Vihar, Delhi.
(bottom) A relief camp at Eidgah in Mustafabad, Delhi set up by the Government of Delhi and the Muslim Waqf board, with beds for 800 women and 700 men, and with doctors from St Stephens Hospital and Holy Family Hospital volunteering.
Date23 February 2020 – 29 February 2020 (6 days)
LocationNorth East Delhi, India
28°40′55″N 77°16′26″E / 28.682°N 77.274°E / 28.682; 77.274
Caused by
Goals
Methods
Casualties
Death(s)53
  • 2 unidentified
  • 36 Muslims
  • 15 Hindus
Injuries200+
Arrested2200 (including detained)
Part of a series on
Violence against Muslims
in independent India
Major incidents

The 2020 Delhi riots, or North East Delhi riots, were multiple waves of bloodshed, property destruction, and rioting in North East Delhi, beginning on 23 February 2020 and brought about chiefly by Hindu mobs attacking Muslims. Of the 53 people killed, two-thirds were Muslims who were shot, slashed with repeated blows, or set on fire. The dead also included over a dozen Hindus, who were shot or assaulted. More than a week after the violence had ended, hundreds of wounded were languishing in inadequately staffed medical facilities and corpses were being found in open drains. By mid-March many Muslims had remained missing.

Muslims were marked as targets for violence. In order to have their religion ascertained, Muslim males—who unlike Hindus are commonly circumcised—were at times forced to remove their lower garments before being brutalised. Among the injuries recorded in one hospital were lacerated genitals. The properties destroyed were disproportionately Muslim-owned and included four mosques, which were set ablaze by rioters. By the end of February, many Muslims had left these neighbourhoods. Even in areas of Delhi untouched by the violence, some Muslims had left for their ancestral villages, fearful for their personal safety in India's capital.

The riots had their origin in Jaffrabad, in North East Delhi, where a sit-in by women against India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 had been in progress on a stretch of the SeelampurJaffrabadMaujpur road, blocking it. On 23 February 2020, a leader of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, Kapil Mishra, called for Delhi Police to clear the roads, failing which he threatened to "hit the streets". After Mishra's ultimatum, violence erupted. Initially, Hindu and Muslim attacks were equally lethal. Most deaths were attributed to gunfire. By 25 February 2020, the balance had shifted. Rioters wearing helmets and carrying sticks, stones, swords or pistols, and the saffron flags of Hindu nationalism entered Muslim neighbourhoods, as the police stood by. Chants were heard of "Jai Shri Ram" ("Victory to Lord Rama"), a religious slogan favoured by prime minister Narendra Modi's party. In the neighbourhood of Shiv Vihar, Hindu rioters attacked Muslim houses and businesses for three days, often firebombing them with cooking gas cylinders and gutting them without resistance from the police. In some instances, Muslims countered perceived threats by returning the violence; on the 25th a Muslim mob approached a Hindu neighbourhood throwing stones and Molotov cocktails and firing guns. During this time, stories were also told of Sikh and Hindu families coming to the aid of besieged Muslims; in some neighbourhoods, the religious communities cooperated in protecting themselves from violence.

The Indian government swiftly characterised the violence as spontaneous. The Delhi Police, which is directly overseen by India's central government, moved into the area in strength on 26 February after the Delhi High Court had ordered it to help remove injured victims to hospitals. India's national security advisor, Ajit Doval, visited the area; the prime minister, Narendra Modi, made an appeal for peace on Twitter. The Delhi police were accused by the affected citizens, eyewitnesses, human rights organizations and Muslim leaders around the world of falling short in protecting Muslims. Videos showed police acting in a coordinated manner against Muslims, on occasion purposefully helping Hindu gangs. Witnesses said some police officers joined the attacks on Muslims.

After the violence had abated in the thickly-settled mixed Hindu-Muslim neighbourhoods of North East Delhi, some Hindu organisations continued to parade alleged Hindu victims of Muslim violence in an attempt to reshape the accounting of events and to further inflame hostility towards Muslims. About 1,000 Muslims sought shelter in a relief camp on the fringes of Delhi. Gangs of Hindus appeared in several Muslim neighbourhoods in the days preceding the Hindu festival of Holi, celebrated in 2020 on 9 March, to scare Muslims into abandoning their homes. In the midst of prevailing anti-Muslim attitudes, senior lawyers in Delhi were not accepting cases on behalf of the riot victims. Among Hindus and Muslims who continued to live in their neighbourhoods, the violence created potentially long-living divisions. For at least two weeks after the rioting, they avoided each other during the day and at night blocked their lanes with barriers.

Background

See also: Citizenship Amendment Act protests

Protests began across India in December 2019 in response to the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which allows fast-tracked naturalisation for immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belonging to six religions vis-à-vis Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Buddhism. The Act has been seen as discriminatory to Muslims and threatening to their existence in India when combined with the anticipated National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Several anti-CAA protests were held in New Delhi. Some protesters burned vehicles and pelted stones at security forces. In Shaheen Bagh, protesters blocked roads, which led to a traffic jam.

The Delhi Legislative Assembly election was held on 8 February 2020, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was defeated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP); widespread usage of incendiary slogans by BJP equating the protesters to anti-national elements and asking for them to be shot were noted. Delhi BJP chief, Manoj Tiwari, has since attributed hate speeches by fellow party-candidate Kapil Mishra (who coined the slogans) as a cause of the BJP defeat.

On 22 February, around 500 to 1,000 protesters, including women, began a sit-in protest near the Jaffrabad metro station. The protest blocked a stretch of SeelampurJaffrabadMaujpur road, as well as the entry and exit to the metro station. According to the protesters, the sit-in was in solidarity with the Bharat Bandh called by the Bhim Army, which was scheduled to begin on 23 February. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at the site.

Timeline

23 February and incitement

On 23 February between 3.30 p.m. and 4 p.m., BJP leader Kapil Mishra and his supporters reached a protest site at Maujpur Chowk "to give an answer to Jaffrabad ". Mishra then spoke out in a rally against the CAA protesters and threatened to take matters into his own hands if the police failed to disperse the protesters from the Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh areas in three days' time. This has been widely reported to be the major inciting factor; however, Mishra rejects the allegations.

At approximately 4 p.m., protesters were reported to have hurled stones at the pro-CAA gathering at Maujpur Chowk and near a temple. Between 9 and 11 p.m., clashes broke out between the anti-CAA and pro-CAA demonstrators in Karawal Nagar, Maujpur Chowk, Babarpur and Chand Bagh. Vehicles were gutted and shops were destroyed. The police used baton charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Seven hundred emergency calls were made to the police control room that day.

24 February

Charred cars in North East Delhi after mobs set fire to the area
Gokulpuri Tyre Market after mobs set fire to the shops

On the morning of 24 February, pro-CAA groups arrived at an anti-CAA protest site at Jaffrabad and refused to leave until the anti-CAA protesters left the area. At around 12:30 p.m., protesters wearing masks and waving swords clashed with the police force. By afternoon, violent clashes broke out in several areas of North East Delhi, including in the Gokulpuri and Kardampuri areas. There was heavy stone pelting and vandalism of property. The police used tear gas and lathi charge against the protesters in the Chand Bagh area, but the protesters retaliated by throwing stones at the police. A head constable, Ratan Lal, died of a bullet injury in this clash.

In Bhajanpura, in afternoon a group numbering around 2000 attacked a petrol pump, chanting slogans of Āzādī (transl. 'Freedom') and carrying petrol bombs, sticks and weapons. They attacked the owner and employees of the petrol pump with sticks, burning vehicles and petrol tanks after looting available cash.

Violence was also reported from the areas of Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Kardampuri, Babarpur, Gokulpuri and Shivpuri. Section 144 (ban on assembly) was imposed in all the affected areas but to little effect. In Jaffrabad, a man, allegedly linked with the anti-CAA side, opened fire at the police, before being arrested days later in Uttar Pradesh.

In Shiv Vihar, in the afternoon, several shops and homes owned by Hindus were torched by a Muslim mob. Later, mutilated bodies of workers were recovered from the site. A massive parking lot with 170 cars was burned by a mob. In the evening around 8:30 p.m., a tyre market (predominantly owned by Muslims) was set on fire with the screaming of "Jai Shri Ram" being heard. Later that night, at around 10:30 p.m., a mob beat a Hindu man and his elderly father travelling on a scooter with sticks, stones and swords while screaming "Allahu akbar". The man died on the spot. On that day, five people died including a police constable and four civilians.

3,500 emergency calls were made to the police control room that day. The Delhi Fire Service stated that it had attended 45 calls from areas in northeast Delhi and three firemen were injured, on 24 February. While attending calls, a fire engine was attacked with stones, while another fire engine was set on fire by rioters.

25 February

The Auliya Mosque in Shiv Vihar was firebombed with gas cylinders.

On 25 February, stone pelting was reported from Maujpur, Brahampuri and other neighbouring areas. Rapid Action Force were deployed in the worst affected areas. It was a full-blown riot with intense religious sloganeering and violence from both sides.

In Ashok Nagar, a mosque was vandalized and a Hanuman flag was placed on one of the minarets of the mosque. It was also reported that prayer mats of the mosque were burnt and torn pages from the Quran were strewn outside the mosque. A mob shouting the slogans Jai Śrī Rām (transl. "Hail Lord Rama") and Hindūō̃ kā Hindustān (transl. "India for Hindus") marched around the mosque before setting it on fire and looting adjacent shops and houses. According to local residents, the attackers did not belong to the area. After the first wave of violence by rioters, the police evacuated Muslim residents and took them to the police station. While the residents were away, a second mosque in Ashok Nagar and a third in Brijpuri were also torched along with a three-storey house and eight shops in the vicinity; the rioters could not be identified. Another mosque was vandalised in Gokulpuri.

At 3 p.m. in Durgapuri, Hindu and Muslim mobs clashed, pelting stones and shooting at each other. The rioters sported tilaka on their foreheads, and shouted religious slogans whilst shops and vehicles belonging to Muslims were exclusively torched. Police were not present initially in the area and arrived almost an hour later.

At Gamri extension, a Hindu mob attacked a lane, and an 85-year-old woman was burnt to death when her house was set on fire. In Karawal Nagar, acid was thrown by protesters on the paramilitary personnel, who were deployed in the area to maintain law and order. A Muslim man was shot and burnt to death by a mob in Shiv Vihar, with cries of "Jai Shri Ram" being heard. People wielding sticks and iron rods were reported to be roaming streets in the areas of Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar localities.

By 9:30 p.m., it was reported that 13 people died due to violence. Among the injured, more than 70 people suffered gunshot injuries. At 10 p.m., shoot at sight orders were given to police in the riot-affected area.

The dead body of a trainee driver in the Intelligence Bureau at Chanakyapuri, was found in a drain in Jaffrabad, a day after he went missing. The circumstances leading to his death are under investigation, with a lot of confusion regarding them. According to a post-mortem report, he was repeatedly stabbed, leading to his death. Tahir Hussain, who was an AAP councillor, was arrested for allegedly murdering Sharma.

7,500 emergency calls were made to the police control room throughout the day, the highest in the week.

26 February

The National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval, visited violence-affected areas of North East Delhi in the evening. However, reports of violence, arson and mob lynching emerged from Karawal Nagar, Maujpur and Bhajanpura later that night.

1,500 emergency calls were made to the police control room that day. Complaints of delayed post-mortem reports were heard from several hospitals while witnesses and affected individuals who claimed to be civilians gave statements. Some of them blamed Kapil Mishra for the riots while one individual stated that a mob attacked them with stones and swords while chanting the Takbir.

27 to 29 February

Burnt shops at Shiv Vihar
27 February

In Shiv Vihar, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., clashes were reported. Three injured persons were reported, one of whom had bullet wounds. A godown, two shops, and a motorcycle were torched.

28 February

A 60-year-old rag picker, who had stepped out of home assuming the situation had normalized, was attacked and died on way to the hospital due to head injuries.

29 February

With no fresh cases of violence reported to the police on the day, the situation was said to be returning to normal with some shops reopening. Thirteen cases were registered against people posting provocative content on social media. In the Welcome area, one shop was set on fire.

Attacks on journalists

Several incidents of mobs attacking journalists were reported during the riots. A journalist of JK 24x7 News was shot by Anti-CAA protestors on 25 February while reporting in the Maujpur area. Two journalists of NDTV along with a cameraman were attacked by the mob while they were recording the torching of a mosque in the area. One of the journalists sustained severe injuries. A journalist involved in the same incident had to intervene and convince the mob that the journalists were Hindus to save them from further assault.

On 25 February, a photojournalist for The Times of India was heckled by the Hindu Sena members while taking pictures of a building that had been set on fire. The group tried to put a "tilak on his forehead" claiming that it will "make his job easier" as he could then be identified as a Hindu by the rioters. They questioned his intentions of taking pictures of the building on fire and further threatened to remove his pants to reveal that he is not circumcised, as evidence of being a Hindu. The reporter was later approached by another rioter who demanded him to prove his religion.

Several journalists shared their experience with rioters on Twitter. A journalist of Times Now tweeted that she was attacked by pro-CAA and right-wing protesters. She said that she had to plead with the mob, who were carrying stones and sticks, to escape from the site. Journalists of Reuters, India Today, and CNN-News18 too stated that they were assaulted.

The Hindustan Times reported that a motorcycle, which belonged to one of its photographers who was documenting the violence in Karawal Nagar, was set on fire by a masked mob. After torching the motorcycle, the mob threatened, assaulted him and seized the memory card in his camera. They asked for his official identity card and took a photograph of it before letting him leave.

The Editors Guild of India issued a statement on 25 February expressing concern about the attacks on journalists as an assault on freedom of the press in India. They urged the Home Ministry and the Delhi Police to investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Interfaith solidarity

Further information: Hindu–Muslim unity and Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb

ThePrint journalists, who covered the incidents, reported that the people of the localities were confident that their neighbours did not engage in violence against them. Rather they blamed the "outsiders". The neighbourhood between Jaffrabad and Maujpur, which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims, demonstrated unity by guarding one another and barricading the gate to prevent outside mobs from entering and destroying the communal harmony that exists there. In the area of Mustafabad, Hindus and Muslims joined to keep guard to prevent miscreants to enter the area.

Some Hindu families worked to protect their Muslim friends and neighbours amidst the riots by inviting them into their homes for a few days until the riots calmed down. A local Hindu rescued his Muslim friends from their burning house, suffering 70% burns while doing so. In the area of Chand Bagh, some Muslims visited their Hindu neighbours and assured their safety. At the Mandir Masjid Marg of Noor-e-Ilahi, Muslims gathered around Hanuman Mandir, the Hindu temple, to protect it from being damaged while Hindus did the same for Azizya Masjid, a mosque in the area. A Sikh father-son duo rescued around seventy Muslims from a mosque and a madrasa that were surrounded by a mob, by transporting them to safety on their motorcycle, giving safe passage to two children at a time. Amidst the rioting, the Sikh community allowed those seeking shelter into the gurdwara.

Both Hindus and Muslims comforted one another and mourned the loss of their kin who were killed by the rioters.

On 1 March, Muslim and Hindu residents of Jaffrabad organised a peace march together. Later that week, Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, the Catholic Christian archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi appealed "for peace and non-violence" and clergy from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain faiths gathered in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi, to pray in solidarity.

Handling by emergency services

Delhi Police

The Delhi Police's ability to maintain the law and order and bring the peace back in riot-affected areas has been questioned by multiple sources. The police took no action even though present when the violence resulted in murders. They remained lax in deploying policemen on 23 February, when multiple intelligence reports requested more forces to prevent the tense situation (created by Mishra's speech) from escalating further. Victims of the riot reported that the police did not respond promptly when called, claiming that the officers were busy. Other reports also suggested that the police encouraged rioters and physically attacked residents of riot-affected areas, going on to shoot people randomly. The police, however, denied these assertions.

A video shared on social media on 26 February showed a group of men being assaulted by the police as they lay on the ground, forcibly singing the national anthem of India and "Vande Mataram" on the demands of the policemen. The families of the men claimed that they were detained in the lockup for two days and beaten further. One of them, Mohammad Faizan, was admitted in the neurosurgery wing of LNJP Hospital and died on 29 February from critical gunshot wounds. Another was reported to have suffered serious injuries.

The lack of the police's prompt response may be attributed to the large police force deployed to line the roads for the visit of the United States President Donald Trump. The police had reportedly informed the Ministry of Home Affairs of the shortfall of policeman available for immediately controlling the violence, but this was denied by the Ministry.

When the Delhi High Court bench, on 27 February, ordered the Delhi Police to file FIRs against the people whose speeches triggered the riots, the police and the government remarked that they had consciously not done so, citing that arresting them would not restore immediate peace. They further informed the court that they would need more time to investigate the matter.

When a team of lawyers visited Jagatpuri police station to visit the anti-CAA protestors detained by the police, they were reportedly abused by police personnel. The lawyers then wrote to the Delhi commissioner of police, demanding action against the officer who assaulted them.

Delhi Health Services

The Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan (JSA), a public health advocacy group, compiled a report on the information gathered by their volunteers working in the hospitals during the riots. The report, titled The Role of Health Systems in Responding to Communal Violence in Delhi and released on 2 March, alleged that doctors had harassed the victims by referring to them as terrorists, and had asked victims if they knew the full forms of "NRC" and "CAA". The report documented instances of negligence, denying victims treatment in some cases, while disregarding the safety of patients in others. Multiple cases were reportedly rejected for not having the required medico-legal case documentation. It was also alleged that the doctors did not provide detailed reports of the injuries and autopsies to the victims and their families.

The report indicated that citizens had grown fearful of government services such as ambulances and government hospitals, with victims taking private vehicles to go to private hospitals, due to the treatment and abuse that they had received from the police. This problem compounded the existing issues of the mobs not allowing ambulances near the riot-affected areas. In some areas, primary health centres and hospitals remained closed throughout the riots, either due to the violence or due to lack of medical facilities available at the grassroots level even before the riots began. Families of the victims also reported delayed post-mortem reports from several hospitals.

Response and reactions

Response by the government

On 24 February 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the violence appeared orchestrated to coincide with President Donald Trump's February 24–25, 2020 visit to India. The Ministry also refused to bring in the Army to control the riots and stated that the number of central forces and policemen on the ground was adequate. More than 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the area.

On 25 February the Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal stated that the Delhi Police, despite its efforts, had been unable to control the violence and requested the Army's assistance in stopping the violence as the number of deaths climbed to 23.

Home Ministry's meeting

On the morning of 25 February 2020, the Chief Minister Kejriwal chaired an urgent meeting of all party MLAs from the violence-hit areas and senior officials. Several MLAs raised concerns on the lack of deployment of enough policemen. The concerns were raised by Kejriwal in the subsequent meeting chaired by Home Minister Shah and attended by Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal and senior police officials. The meeting concluded with the decision to take all possible steps to contain violence. Kejriwal stated that Shah had assured the availability of an adequate number of policemen.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was given the responsibility of restoring peace in the region. On 26 February, Doval travelled to the violence-hit regions and spoke to locals, assuring them of normalcy.

Relief measures

On 27 February, Kejriwal announced free treatment for the injured in government as well as private hospitals under the Farishta scheme. The government had made arrangements with the help of NGOs to supply food in areas where a curfew had been imposed. He also announced a compensation amount of 1 million (US$12,000) to affected people, ₹100,000 (US$1,200) ex-gratia, and ₹500,000 (US$6,000) in the case of a death of a minor. He also announced that the Delhi government had set up nine shelters for the people affected by the riots. For people whose houses were completely burnt, immediate assistance of ₹25,000 (US$300) was announced.

Food and other relief materials were distributed with the help of resident welfare associations and NGOs. BJP leaders Tajinder Bagga and Kapil Mishra collected ₹7.1 million (US$85,000) for the Hindu victims of Delhi riots via crowdfunding.

Reactions

AAP leader Sanjay Singh released a video in which BJP MLA from Laxmi Nagar, Abhay Verma, was seen leading crowds that raised slogans Jō Hindū hit kī bāt karēgā, vahī dēś pē rāj karēgā (transl. "Whoever talks about the welfare of Hindus, only they will rule the country") and Jai Śrī Rām (transl. "Hail Lord Rama"). Singh accused Home Minister Amit Shah of holding an "all-party meeting, pretending to restore peace and their MLA is engaged in inciting riots." Verma meanwhile defended himself claiming the slogans were raised by civilians.

Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi held a press conference at which she said that Shah should resign for failing to stop the violence. She asked for the deployment of an adequate number of security forces. Gandhi's press conference was followed by a press conference by Prakash Javadekar; he said that there is "selective silence" from AAP and Congress and he added that they are politicising violence.

After three days of violence with 20 deaths, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, shared a message on Twitter asking people to maintain peace. Commentators said that he reacted only after the departure of President Trump, whom he had been hosting on a state visit while the riots began.

On 26 February, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) conveyed "grave concern" over the riots and requested the Indian government to provide protection to people, no matter which faith they belonged to. US Senator and 2020 US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and other American politicians expressed their concerns over the events. In response, on 27 February 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, stated that these remarks were "factually inaccurate", "misleading" and "aimed at politicising the issue". BJP general secretary BL Santhosh threatened Sanders with election interference due to his condemnation. The US issued a travel advisory for its citizens to exercise caution.

On 27 February, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, stated, "Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed—in a mostly peaceful manner—their opposition to the Act, and support for the country's long tradition of secularism". She expressed concern on the citizenship law and reports of "police inaction" during the communal attacks in Delhi. Twelve eminent citizens of Bangladesh also expressed grave concern over the communal clashes on that day. They expressed fear that India's failure to handle the situation could create a volatile environment in its neighbouring countries, which could destroy peace, democracy, development and communal harmony in the region. The Governor of Meghalaya, Tathagata Roy, wanted lessons to be learned from Deng Xiaoping's handling of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests for ways to handle the riots. Also on the same day, Turkish president Erdogan criticised the violence. He said, "India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus."

On 2 March, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, alleged that the Delhi riot was a "planned genocide". On 5 March, Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asked the Indian Government to confront extremist Hindus and their parties and stop the massacre of Muslims of India, to prevent India from being isolated from the world of Islam.

Investigation

On 27 February 2020, the Delhi Police reported that two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) had been formed to investigate the violence. DCP Joy Tirkey and DCP Rajesh Deo were appointed head of these SITs respectively, along with four Assistant Commissioners in each team. Additional Commissioner of crime branch, B.K. Singh, was announced to be supervising the work of the SITs. On 28 February 2020, the police also called in forensic science teams, who visited the crime scenes to collect evidence.

As of 7 March 2020, police had registered 690 FIRs and around 2200 individuals involved in the violence were taken into custody. Some activists were charged with offences under the Indian Penal code and the Arms Act. Their friends and relatives alleged that they were tortured in custody. During a parliamentary debate over the riots on 11 March, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that rioters who had come from Uttar Pradesh had been identified.

In 2021, Mohd Wasim, Mohd Ayaz and Khalid were arrested for involvement in the murder of Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal. In 2022, an unnammed woman and a man named Munjtajim was arrested for Ratan Lal and Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma's murder respectively.

Supreme Court hearing

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan, along with former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and social activist Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, filed an appeal in the Supreme Court requesting that the police be directed to file reports over cases of violence that had occurred since the night of 23 February. The petition also accused Mishra of "inciting and orchestrating the riots". During the hearing held on 26 February, the Supreme Court criticized the Delhi Police for not having done enough to stop the violence. However, the bench, consisting of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K. M. Joseph, did not entertain the plea, stating that the case was already in the Delhi High Court.

Delhi High Court hearing

Activists Harsh Mander and Farah Naqvi filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, demanding that the police report and arrest those involved in the violence on 25 February. The plea further demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up to investigate the incident and that compensation be provided to those killed and injured. It also requested for the immediate deployment of the Indian Army in the affected areas.

Court hearing on 26 February

At midnight on 26 February, the court bench, consisting of Justices S. Muralidhar and Talwant Singh, heard the emergency plea, following which, the court ordered the police to safeguard and help all victims to reach their nearest hospitals.

In the hearing during the morning, DCP of crime branch, Rajesh Deo, and the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, surprised the court by admitting that they had not watched the video of the inflammatory speech given by Kapil Mishra. However, Deo admitted to have watched the videos of Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. The Court then played the video clip of Kapil Mishra's speech. The bench expressed "anguish" over the inability of the Delhi Police to control the riots and its failure to file FIRs against four BJP leaders, Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Abhay Verma for their hate speeches. The bench also noted that incidents like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots must be prevented from ever occurring again in Delhi.

Transfer of Justice Muralidhar

Late on the night of 26 February, Justice S. Muralidhar, who had presided over the plea hearing, was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This was the same day on which he had condemned the Delhi Police for its failure in controlling the riots or filing cases against BJP leaders for hate speech. However, the Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that this was a routine transfer which had been recommended by the Supreme Court a fortnight before. BBC News reported that Muralidhar's "biting comments could have hastened his transfer". The news of his removal from the case was criticised by many Indians who expressed concern. The Congress party called his transfer a move to protect the accused BJP leaders. The Delhi High Court Bar Association criticised the transfer and asked the Supreme Court collegium to revoke it.

Court hearing under new bench

On 27 February, the court resumed the hearing with a new bench consisting of Chief Justice of India D.N. Patel and Justice C. Hari Shankar. During the previous hearing, the Delhi police were given 24 hours to decide on the filing of FIRs over hate speeches by four BJP leaders. The government's lawyer claimed that the situation was not "conducive" and that the government needed more time before it could take appropriate action. The new bench accepted the same arguments that the previous bench had rejected and agreed to give the government more time to decide on filing of the cases for hate speech. The petitioners' lawyer requested an earlier hearing, citing the increasing number of deaths, but the court set 13 April as the date of the next hearing.

On 28 February, the court issued notices to the local and central governments seeking their responses on registering FIRs on Congress party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi on the charges of delivering hate speeches. Hearing another plea, the bench also issued notice to the Delhi police and the central government for their response on registering FIR on AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, actress Swara Bhaskar, activist Harsh Mander and on AIMIM leaders like Akbaruddin Owaisi, Asaduddin Owaisi, and Waris Pathan. The court later posted the matter to be heard again on 13 April.

AAP leader Tahir Hussain was denied bail. The court said there's enough material on record to presume the former councillor was present at the spot of crime and was instigating the rioters. Karkardooma court in Delhi framed murder and conspiracy charges against Aam Aadmi Party leader Tahir Hussain and ten others for the murder of IB officer. While framing the charges, the court observed, “Tahir was continuously acting in a manner of supervising & motivating this mob. All these things were done to target Hindus. Every member of the mob assembled there participated in achieving the objective of targeting Hindus".

In September 2021, a Delhi High Court Justice, Subramonium Prasad, noted that the riots were a "preplanned and pre-meditated conspiracy to disturb law and order in the city" and that the rioters' conduct "was a calculated attempt to dislocate the functioning of the government as well as to disrupt the normal life of the people in the city."

Court convictions

On 13 March, court convicted nine persons involved in the riots. The court noted that the main objective of the convicts who joined the unruly mob guided by ‘communal feelings’ was to cause ‘maximum damage to the properties belonging to the people of the Hindu community'. A further 2 have been subsequently convicted of crimes relating to the riots.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the riots, many Muslims who had been living in the riot-affected neighbourhoods left with all their belongings. Even in areas of Delhi which were not affected by the violence, many Muslim families packed up their belongings and left for their ancestral villages, showing no intention of ever coming back. According to complaints received by lawyers representing Muslim victims of the riots, the police had threatened to falsely implicate the victims in police cases if they filed any complaints against the rioters. As of October 2020, many Muslim survivors of the riots reported harassment and humiliation within their immediate neighbourhoods and many even started selling their properties below the market price so as escape from this ordeal. According to Zafarul Islam Khan, former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, 1,300 Muslim youth have been arrested since the riots began and pressure has been constantly mounted on the Delhi police to create a fabricated narrative that these youths started the riots. The Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) had written in an order dated 8 July to senior officers heading probe teams and asked them to “suitably” guide the Investigating Officers to note that the arrests of “some Hindu youth” from riot-hit areas in Northeast Delhi has led to a “degree of resentment among the Hindu community” and “due care and precaution” must be taken while making such arrests. This was despite the fact that the Delhi Police Crime Branch investigations into the murder of nine Muslims at and around Bhagirathi Vihar in North-East Delhi on 25 and 26 February had led to a WhatsApp group named "Kattar Hindu Ekta", which was created to mobilise rioters. The investigators had filed three chargesheets in connection with three of the murder cases and nine people were chargesheeted. According to Hisham ul wahab, "it has been a pattern in almost all the anti-Muslim violence in India that to call it “communal riots” in order to avoid the supposed blame over the perpetrators from the Hindu fold as well as to narrate it in a balanced/neutral way as both the communities involved in it are occupying equal and parallel power. However, an assessment of such a narrative with the help of various reports including the Sachar Committee report would be sufficient to explore the historical disparity and discrimination against the Muslim community in terms of socio-political-economic and educational parameters".

For those left homeless or who had run away from their homes out of fear, temporary relief camps were set up in houses, temples, madrasas and the Al-Hind Hospital. Camps housing larger numbers were erected in areas like Idgah, the Mustafabad prayer ground. The Idgah camp was the largest among nine others and was funded by the government. However, it soon grew crowded. Volunteers helped victims by distributing carts to vendors and providing others with legal aid or even simple help in filling forms. Doctors volunteered to provide medical attention to people suffering from injuries. Most of the refugees were reported to suffer from skin rashes and the common cold. Many others, including the children, were reported to be suffering from anxiety and mental trauma. They reported to have lost their homes and their livelihoods and were awaiting government help to rebuild their lives. In another camp in Khajuri Khas, a team of paralegals ran a relief assistance booth of the government. These victims then faced the threat of coronavirus, with social distancing being impossible given the number of people crowded in these camps. Following this, the Delhi government forcefully evicted the residents of the Idgah camp by 30 March, leaving many homeless. The victims were promised rations and a sum of ₹3,000 (equivalent to ₹3,500 or US$42 in 2023) to rent rooms for themselves, but not all were able to avail of these relief measures.

Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, the Archbishop of Delhi, stated that churches were using their resources to help those affected by the riots; the Holy Family Hospital, for example, engaged physicians, nurses, as well as ambulances to provide relief to affected people. He further stated that Catholic churches would accept those affected by the riots, especially with it being the season of Lent.

Hindus and businesses run by them in the riot-affected areas began boycotting traders and refused to hire workers who were Muslims. They alleged that the Muslims had started the riots and had then blamed the Hindus for the violence. As a result of the growing distrust between the two communities in these areas, the Hindus and Muslims would avoid each other during the day and block the lanes to their respective neighbourhoods with barriers at night. Neighbourhoods of both communities put up metal gates to slow down the passage of rioters in the future, with some keeping themselves permanently armed with lathis (bamboo sticks).

Hindu politicians paraded injured victims with bandages wrapped around their heads in multiple "peace marches", alleging that they were victims of violence at the hands of Muslims. This incited more hatred towards Muslims. One such rally held on 29 February was organised by the Delhi Peace Forum, an NGO backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, with people holding placards that said, "Delhi against jihadi violence". Kapil Mishra was seen at the rally, while inflammatory slogans inciting people to "shoot the traitors" were heard. Gangs of Hindus later appeared in multiple neighbourhoods and threatened the Muslims living there to abandon their homes before the Hindu festival of Holi, which was celebrated on 9 March 2020.

Malayalam news channels Asianet News and MediaOne TV were banned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) for 48 hours on 6 March for broadcasting about the riots and the lack of action taken by the police. However, the ban was soon reversed by I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar, following multiple complaints.

During a parliamentary debate over the riots on 11 March, Home Minister Amit Shah gave his condolences to the families of those who died due to the violence and assured them of justice. He went on to commend the Delhi Police for their efforts and blamed Muslim leaders and members of the Congress party for instigating the riots. Another BJP MP, Meenakshi Lekhi, accused ISIS elements of having organised the riots. Members of the opposition like Kapil Sibal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the government for its lack of timely action.

In response to an RTI application on 13 April, the Delhi Police stated that 23 people had died and 48 people had been arrested in connection with the riots. This was in stark contrast to the report of 52 deaths and 3,304 arrests submitted by Junior Home Minister G. Kishan Reddy on 18 March, who had obtained the figures from the Delhi Police.

Fact finding reports

Various fact finding reports have been released about the violence surrounding the riots.

  • Delhi Minority Commission, “Report of the DMC fact-finding Committee on North-East Delhi Riots of February 2020”, 27 June 2020, New Delhi.
  • Delhi Riots 2020: Report from Ground Zero – The Shaheen Bagh Model in North-East Delhi: From Dharna to Danga, was submitted on 11 March 2020, by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA) led by Supreme Court advocate Monika Arora. This report suggests that the violence was attributed to an "Urban-Naxal-Jihadi network" and portrays the events as a pre-planned outcome of a radicalized minority.
  • Delhi Riots: Conspiracy Unraveled, submitted on 29 May 2020, by the Call for Justice (CFJ) group, led by Justice Ambadas Joshi, a retired judge of the Bombay High Court, asserts that "Anti-National, extremist Islamic groups and other radical groups" deliberately carried out targeted attacks on the Hindu community. This report alleges meticulous planning and coordination behind the violence.
  • Human Rights Watch, “Shoot the Traitors’: Discrimination Against Muslims under India's New Citizenship Policy”, April 2020, United States of America.
  • Youth for Human Rights Documentation, “An Account of Fear & Impunity: Preliminary Fact-Finding Report on Communally-Targeted Violence in North-East Delhi, February 2020”, New Delhi.
  • Sharma, Nupur J and Kalpojyoti Kashyap. (2020), Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots of 2020: The Macabre Dance of Violence Since December 2019, New Delhi: OpIndia.
  • Amnesty International India, “India: Six Months Since Delhi Riots, Delhi Police Continue To Enjoy Impunity Despite Evidence Of Human Rights Violations”, 28 August 2020, New Delhi.
  • In October 2022, a fact-finding committee found that the Union home ministry delayed the deployment of additional forces in the violence-hit areas. The committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge Madan B. Lokur concluded that the communal riots continued unabated between 23 and 26 February 2020.

Books on the riots

In August 2020, a book titled Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story by advocate Monika Arora and academics Sonali Chitalkar and Prerna Malhotra was scheduled to be published by Bloomsbury India, which however withdrew the book after facing criticism from other writers and activists. The new publishers Garuda Prakashan said that by 24 August, they had received 15,000 pre-orders.

See also

Notes

  1. The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo supports description in caption and provides additional context. This is not the photo published by that source.
  2. The Government of Delhi is different from the Government of India.
  3. The following reference to a published source supports description in caption and provides additional context. This photo was not published by that source.
  4. At a rally in Delhi, a Union Cabinet minister shouted Desh ke ġaddāroṉ ko ("What's to be done with the traitors to the nation?") and the crowd screamed back, Goli māro sāloṉ ko ("Shoot the bastards!").
  5. Previously, on 17 December 2019, violence occurred during the CAA-protests in the Seelampur area, in North East Delhi. On 3 January 2020, DCP Surya told media that adequate security personnel and proper security arrangements were in place in the Seelampur area and no further gatherings and violence were expected.
  6. The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo is offered solely for context. This is not the photo published by that source.
  7. The following reference to a published source that includes a similar photo is offered solely for context. This is not the photo published by that source.
  8. Initial reports said that Ratan Lal had died of a head injury after being hit by a stone. However, the autopsy report said that a bullet was found in his body.
  9. The following reference to a published source is offered solely for context. This photo was not published by that source.
  10. The following reference to a published source that includes the same photo is offered solely for context.

References

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  24. ^ Ellis-Peterson, Hannah; Azizur Rahman, Shaikh (6 March 2020), "'I cannot find my father's body': Delhi's fearful Muslims mourn riot dead", The Guardian, Delhi, retrieved 7 March 2020, According to a witness, Arshad kept quiet, so the mob forced down his trousers. On seeing he was circumcised, as is common among Muslims in India, the mob instantly beat him to death. His bloodied body was later found in a gutter, his pants still around his ankles... In the aftermath, even in unaffected areas of Delhi, an exodus of Muslim families began this week, with swathes packing up their bags and returning for good to their home villages, fearing for their safety in the capital.
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  26. Saaliq, Sheikh; Schmall, Emily (28 February 2020), "Prayers at fire-bombed mosques as India's riot toll grows", Associated Press News, retrieved 25 March 2020, Al-Hind hospital, a small clinic with two doctors, was the nearest medical facility for many of the victims. When the riots broke out, it turned into a chaotic emergency ward, its doctors dealing for the first time with injuries such as gunshot wounds, crushed skulls, stabbings and torn genitals.
  27. Landrin, Sophie (4 March 2020), "Attaques contre les musulmans à New Delhi : " J'ai pensé que j'allais mourir " Trois jours d'attaques meurtrières perpétrées par les nationalistes hindous dans le nord de la capitale indienne laissent des vies dévastées.", Le Monde, retrieved 25 March 2020, A l'entrée de l'hôpital, un homme qui officie à l'accueil a tout consigné sur son registre et son téléphone portable. Quelque 800 personnes, explique-t-il, ont été amenées entre le 23 et 25 février, certaines dans un état épouvantable. Des corps écartelés, carbonisés, des blessures par balles, des visages défigurés par de l'acide, des hommes atteints aux parties génitales. " Nous n'avons que de faibles moyens. Nous avons juste posé des garrots, des pansements et tenté de stopper le saignement des blessés ", confie-t-il. (At the entrance to the hospital, a man who works at the reception desk wrote everything down in his register and his mobile phone. Some 800 people, he says, were brought in between February 23 and 25, some in appalling condition. Torn, charred bodies, gunshot wounds, acid-disfigured faces, men with damage to the genitals. 'We have only weak means. We just put tourniquets, bandages and tried to stop the bleeding of the injured,' he said.
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  36. Landrin, Sophie (26 February 2020). "Inde : New Delhi en proie à de violents conflits intercommunautaires" [India: New Delhi plagued by violent inter-community conflicts]. Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 4 March 2020. Des hordes d'émeutiers casqués, armés de bâtons, de pierres, de sabres ou de pistolets, portant des drapeaux safran – la couleur des nationalistes hindous – ont pris d'assaut cette zone. Des véhicules, des échoppes, ainsi que des maisons appartenant à des musulmans, ont été incendiés sous les yeux d'une police totalement passive. (Hordes of helmeted rioters, armed with sticks, stones, sabers or pistols, carrying saffron flags – the color of Hindu nationalists – stormed this area. Vehicles, stalls, as well as houses belonging to Muslims, were set on fire in front of a totally passive police force.)
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