The brutal murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur that took place on June 28 2022, has once again ignited a firestorm of controversy and political allegations. Two terrorists slit Kanhaiya Lal’s throat, reportedly linked to the Dawate Islami organisation, a notorious terrorist group headquartered in Karachi. The incident has not only raised questions about the safety and security of citizens but has also highlighted alleged governmental and police inaction that could have potentially prevented this tragedy.
Kanhaiya Lal’s murder was a shocking act of violence that has left the community in Udaipur reeling. The terrorists involved were found to be associated with Dawate Islami, and they were allegedly sheltered by Kanhaiya Lal’s neighbour, Nazim. It has been revealed that Nazim had been spying on Kanhaiya Lal’s shop and providing information to the assailants.
In the months leading up to his death, Kanhaiya Lal had expressed his fears for his safety. He sent three letters to the Udaipur police, indicating that he was being spied on by Nazim and feared for his life. He reported feeling unsafe to open his shop, fearing a potential attack. Despite these warnings, no action was taken by the police.
The inaction of the Udaipur police, under the then Congress-led government of Ashok Gehlot, has been heavily criticised. Critics argue that the police were hesitant to act against Nazim, a Muslim, due to potential backlash from the government. There are accusations that the police feared repercussions from the Gehlot administration if they took action against a Muslim individual in a case involving communal tensions.
Furthermore, it has been alleged that if the police had acted on Kanhaiya Lal’s letters, he might still be alive today. This perceived failure has led to widespread outrage and demands for accountability from the government and police authorities.
The incident has also drawn attention to a decision by the Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh, which allegedly allotted 10 hectares of land free of cost to Dawate Islami to open an office. The BJP has sharply criticised this move and pointed out the potential uproar that would occur if a BJP Government had given land to a Hindu organisation under similar circumstances.
The murder of Kanhaiya Lal and the subsequent allegations of government bias have heightened communal tensions in the region. The Hindu community in Udaipur and beyond has expressed fears over their safety and the perceived preferential treatment of certain groups by the authorities.
Earlier, the NIA had filed a 3500-page chargesheet in the brutal murder case of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, Rajasthan, revealing shocking details. According to the chargesheet, a gang orchestrated Kanhaiya Lal’s murder on orders from Pakistani handlers, facilitated through a WhatsApp group that included Pakistani nationals and members associated with the PFI.
The leader, Karachi-based Salman Attari, allegedly incited Indian Muslims in the group against Hindus. Nine accused, including Mohammad Ghaus, have been arrested for their roles in executing the murder, aided by local conspirators like Wasim Ali and others assigned specific tasks in the crime. Additionally, Sohail Khan, SDPI district president, was arrested earlier for alleged connections to the case, highlighting broader implications and ongoing investigations into extremist networks.
In February 2023, NIA arrested Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) district president Sohail Khan in a case against PFI in Delhi.
According to sources, after the Kanhaiyalal murder case in Udaipur, the NIA had called Sohail Khan twice to Jaipur for questioning. He is also accused of giving provocative speeches and raising hateful slogans. It was revealed that Sohail is close to Gaus Mohammad, the main accused in the Kanhaiyalal murder case.
In the aftermath of Kanhaiya Lal’s murder, his son Yash made solemn vows in his pursuit of justice. Firstly, he has pledged to immerse his father’s ashes in river Ganga only after the killers receive the death sentence. Secondly, he has vowed not to wear shoes or sandals until the sentence is delivered, resulting in him walking barefoot for the past two years.
Kanhaiya Lal’s wife, Jasoda Devi, expressed her hope that the NIA and the government will expedite the case in a fast-track court. She emphasized the urgency, stating, “The murderers should be sentenced within 3 to 6 months. There should be no further delay.” She added that watching her son go to work barefoot in the scorching sun for the past two years has been heartbreaking.
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