Against this backdrop of religious violence and radicalisation, the rhetoric of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath carries significant weight. Known for his hardline stance on Hindu unity and national security, Yogi Adityanath recently echoed the slogan “Batenge Toh Katenge” during a public address in Agra. The phrase, which translates to “If they (the enemies) talk, they will be cut off,” is an apt representation of his combative approach to political and religious challenges in India.
In his speech, Adityanath emphasised the need for national unity, warning against the dangers of divisiveness and the rising threat of radical forces that could destabilise the country. He compared the situation in India to the recent unrest in Bangladesh, suggesting that the mistakes made by Bangladesh in handling religious and political tensions should not be replicated in India. According to the Chief Minister, the failure to unite as a nation could lead to internal strife, which would only benefit those looking to undermine India’s sovereignty and its multi-religious fabric.
Adityanath’s rhetoric of “Batenge Toh Katenge” aims to unify Hindus in the face of perceived threats to their culture and religion. It is a clarion call to assert strength and unity, ensuring that divisive forces, particularly those who target Hindu traditions and values, do not succeed.
In July 2019, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) uncovered a chilling plot: ten individuals, allegedly linked to ISIS, were arrested on charges of planning a mass killing by poisoning “prasad” during a religious gathering at the ancient Shree Mumbreshwar Mahadev Temple in Mumbra, located outside Mumbai. The plot was allegedly intended to target approximately 40,000 Hindu devotees, and ATS’s preventive intervention foiled what could have been one of India’s deadliest terror attacks.
Once a predominantly Hindu settlement, Mumbra’s demographic makeup has drastically changed over the years. Today, over 80 per cent of the population is Muslim, and the area has gained notoriety as a hub of illegal construction, criminal activity, and political maneuvering. Despite its troubling transformation, Mumbra remains a region with a deep-rooted connection to its Hindu past. The name “Mumbra” is believed to have been derived from the Mumbreshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, which has stood for centuries.
This temple, though modest in its physical stature, is an emblem of Mumbra’s Hindu heritage. It draws thousands of devotees every year, particularly during events like the Bhagwat Katha followed by a Bhandara (community feast). On this day, it is said that up to 40,000 Hindus partake in the prasad offered in devotion. However, in an alarming twist, a group of ten individuals reportedly conspired to poison the prasad, intending to kill as many Hindus as possible during the Bhandara. While law enforcement foiled the plot, the chilling nature of the attack underscores the level of hate and violence that can be incited by ideological extremism.
The ATS’s investigations revealed that the accused were allegedly radicalised and inspired by the banned preacher Zakir Naik, a controversial figure known for his extremist rhetoric and alleged influence on terror suspects. The suspects reportedly held allegiance to Daesh (ISIS) and were active on social media platforms like Telegram, where they communicated with foreign handlers, exchanged extremist propaganda, and received instructions.
The ten individuals involved in the alleged plot include Abu Hamza, identified as the group’s leader, and Talha Potrik, reportedly the mastermind. The remaining suspects—Mohsin Khan (aka Abu Marya), Atai Waris Abdul Rashid Shaikh (aka Mazhar), Mohammad Takky Khan (aka Abu Khalid), Mushahed Ul-Islam, Jamman Khutepad (aka Abu Kital), Salman Khan (aka Abu Ubeda), and Fahad Ansari—were all residents of Mumbra, with some hailing from other parts of Maharashtra, such as Aurangabad.
The ATS charge sheet documented evidence of the accused organising a closed social media group called “Ummat-E-Mohammaddiya,” which disseminated ISIS’s ideology. Only trusted members were admitted to this group, and it served as a virtual community for discussions on the Daesh ideology. Additionally, the suspects were involved in other groups, like “Wakkunuma-Assadikin” and “Iqwa-F-Deen,” which facilitated contact with ISIS handlers abroad and offered extremist training material.
The ATS found that prior to their arrests, the suspects had conducted reconnaissance around the temple. They allegedly procured explosives and received guidance through ISIS-affiliated Telegram channels on manufacturing explosives using hydrogen peroxide. Abu Hamza reportedly led blast trials in secluded areas around Mumbra, aiming to refine their skills in assembling explosive devices for potential use in the attack.
One of the accused, Mohsin Khan, allegedly attended physical training sessions at a stadium in Mumbra, designed to ready individuals for what they called “the Daesh battlefield.” This was, as per the ATS, part of a systematic process to build physical resilience, psychological resolve, and logistical readiness among sympathisers before carrying out any attacks.
The timing and target of the Mumbra poisoning plot — the prasad distributed at a Hindu temple — highlights the extremists’ desire to strike at the core of Hindu traditions and spirituality. Hindus are described as being a “tiny minority” in the area, yet their religious practices and festivals continue despite the changing demographic and political landscape.
The political environment in Maharashtra, particularly under the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, has been a point of contention. Critics of the coalition argue that its leadership has failed to act decisively on issues related to religious extremism, criminal activity, and illegal construction, which have contributed to the rise of places like Mumbra as hotbeds of radicalization.
The MVA’s role in addressing issues of religious harmony and security has come under scrutiny, with some accusing the coalition of downplaying the significance of such incidents or failing to take swift action against elements that incite violence.
