The madrasa contained more than 4,500 books which were destroyed in the fire, Mohammad Shahabuddin said to Maktoob. Photo: Meer Faisal/Maktoob
On March 31, during the Ram Navami rally, a Hindutva mob set fire to Madrasa Azizia, which is the oldest madrasa and library in Bihar Sharif in Nalanda district of Bihar.
The madrasa contained more than 4,500 books which were destroyed in the fire, Mohammad Shahabuddin, Imam of Murarpur mosque said to Maktoob.
“All of the books have been destroyed, and none remain,” he said.
Madrasa Azizia was established by Bibi Sogra in memory of her husband, Abdul Aziz, and she is recognized as one of the most respected philanthropists in the history of Bihar.
The 110-year-old library was vandalised by the armed mob of around 1,000 people. The saffron mob threw petrol bombs into the mosque and the library.
“The armed men were chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram,’” said Mohan Bahadur, a guard at the madrasa. He also said the mob attacked him, but he managed to flee.
Even though the attack took place in the afternoon, the cops did not reach the spot till 11 p.m.
Violence and vandalism have marred Ram Navami Processions in several states of India, targeting Muslims. Hate speech and stone-pelting against places of worship and shrines were common in all the incidents, which occurred in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, and Gujarat.
Madrasa Azizia was established by Bibi Sogra in memory of her husband, Abdul Aziz, and she is recognized as one of the most respected philanthropists in the history of Bihar. Photo: Meer Faisal/Maktoob“All of the books have been destroyed, and none remain,” Mohammad Shahabuddin, the caretaker of the madrasa and library said to Maktoob. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobThe 110-year-old library was vandalised by the armed mob of around 1,000 people. The saffron mob threw petrol bombs into the mosque and the library. Photo: Meer Faisal/Maktoob“The books were very old and rare, including Tafsirs of the Holy Quran,” the caretaker of the madrasa and library said to Maktoob. Photo: Meer Faisal/Maktoob“The armed men were chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram,’” said Mohan Bahadur, a guard at the madrasa. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobEven though the attack took place in the afternoon, the cops did not reach the spot till 11 p.m. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobAfter the Asr prayer, Mohammad Sultan Ansari, a JDU leader, learned about violence in his city. When he went to check on the situation, he saw a Hindutva mob carrying swords and other sharp weapons, looting and setting fire to his property. As a result, he suffered a loss of approximately 60 lakhs. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobAfter attending a ‘peace meeting’, Mohammad Shakeel was beaten with sticks and swords by a mob who forced him to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobWhile closing his shop, Mohammad Asif was attacked by Bajrang Dal members with swords and forced to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobA Muslim man points to petrol bombs that were thrown at the mosque by a Hindutva mob. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobSeveral windows and glass panes were damaged by stones that were pelted at the mosque. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobThe authorities in the district are repairing the mosque that was partially destroyed by the Hindutva mob. Photo: Meer Faisal/MaktoobThe mob set fire to Muslim shops and godowns, resulting in a loss of 6 crore rupees. Photo: Meer Faisal/Maktoob
