In India, deadly violence against the Indian Muslim population has claimed at least 20 lives and injured over 150, as rioters unleashed a vicious rampage across several parts of Delhi, torching buildings and vehicles and attacking journalists.
Smoke rose into the sky when Hindu protesters set fruit and vegetable shops and a Muslim shrine on fire in the Bhajanpur area.
A mosque was also set on fire by a Hindu mob who shouted “Jai Shri Ram”, translated to “hail Lord Ram”.
Yet fresh violence was reported from Muslim populated areas such as Karawal Nagar, Maujpur, Bhajanpura, Vijay Park and Yamuna Vihar, while stones were thrown in neighbourhoods such as Maujpur.
The violence prompted the U.S. Embassy in India to issue an advisory for American citizens in the capital city, urging them to “exercise caution,” “keep a low profile” and “avoid all areas with demonstrations.”
U.S. government’s Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the “brutal and unchecked violence” in Delhi and urged the Indian government to “take serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence.”
Meanwhile, US Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has voiced concern over deadly violence against Muslims in Indian capital New Delhi.
Bernie Sanders, in a tweet, said that more than 200 million Muslims call India home and Trump terming the spread of anti-Muslim mob violence an internal matter for the authorities was a failure of leadership on his part.
Recent reports suggest that death toll in anti-Muslim violence has risen to 27 and more than two hundred people have been injured in the violence.