India a new wave of violence against Muslims and the arrest of dozens who obstructed the performance of Friday prayers

Indian authorities have arrested dozens of people, most of whom belong to extremist right-wing groups, for obstructing Muslims from performing Friday prayers in the northern city of Gurgaon outside New Delhi, while violence against Muslims and their interests in the Indian state of Tripura renewed.

Tensions escalated in northeastern India after "Hindutva gangs" burned mosques, homes and shops of Muslims (AP)

Indian authorities have arrested dozens of people, most of whom belong to far-right groups, after they obstructed Muslims from performing Friday prayers, according to local media.

Hindu groups have been pressing authorities for weeks in the northern city of Gurgaon outside New Delhi to prevent Muslims from performing Friday prayers in open spaces.

On Friday, the sources said that the police reinforced their presence in the city and arrested at least 30 people, while crowds of local residents and Hindu groups chanted anti-Muslim slogans.

Critics accuse Prime Minister Bharatiya Janata Party of "persecuting minorities, including the country's Muslim minority," which numbers 22 million.

But Modi's government rejects its accusation that it has a Hindu agenda and stresses that Indians of all faiths have equal rights.

The state of Haryana is dominated by the BJP, with its capital, Gurgaon, also called Gurugram.

This comes as mosques, homes and shops of Muslims in the Indian state of Tripura were attacked and vandalized by "Hindu extremist gangs".

And the Anatolia correspondent reported on Friday that tension escalated in the northeastern region of India, after "Hindutva extremist gangs" burned mosques, homes and shops of Muslims, following violence between Hindus and Muslims in neighboring Bangladesh.

The Indian police moved to impose their control and prevent the recurrence of violence, and banned gatherings of more than 5 people.

Violence against Muslims began on October 26, after a demonstration organized by the "Vishwa Hindu Parishad" organization (the World Hindu Council), which included inflammatory speeches.

On October 27, a statement published by the local APCR Association revealed that at least 16 mosques had been damaged by “extremist Hindutva gangs,” and that many Muslim homes and shops had been burned.