The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots refer to a period of inter-communal violence that occurred in August and September 2013 in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The violence primarily involved clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities and resulted in at least 62 deaths, according to official figures, and displaced tens of thousands of people. The unrest began following a series of incidents, including the alleged harassment of a Hindu woman by individuals from another community, which escalated into broader communal confrontations.
The riots spread across Muzaffarnagar and neighboring districts such as Shamli. Reports from human rights organizations and media outlets highlighted allegations of mob violence, property destruction, arson, and sexual violence. State and central government authorities deployed paramilitary forces to restore order, and curfews were imposed in affected areas.
Official investigations and judicial inquiries were initiated in the aftermath. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government submitted its report, though details and findings have not been fully made public. Civil society groups and legal petitions have called for independent inquiries, citing concerns about delayed justice and inadequate relief for victims.
The event has been widely cited in discussions about communal harmony, political mobilization along religious lines, and governance in India. Political and social commentators have analyzed the role of local and national actors in either mitigating or exacerbating the tensions during the period.