The flashpoint was the construction of a mosque on disputed land. Discontent was brewing for a while, but last Monday, 20 houses belonging to the minority community were set on fire.
For the last eight days, the police station at Ballabhgarh has been turned into a refugee camp, where more than 200 terrified Muslims have taken shelter. They are among the 1800 members of the community, who have fled Atali village following violence.
The flashpoint was the construction of a mosque on disputed land. Discontent was brewing for a while, but last Monday, 20 houses belonging to the minority community were set on fire. The mosque, which was being built next to a temple, was torched too. Twelve people were injured - many of them women and children -- in the half-hour violence that followed.
At the police station, the villagers insist that no action has been taken in the case. "They burnt our houses in the presence of the police... We don't trust the police... If they can't even arrest them, how will they protect our families?" said a young man.
Yet no one is unwilling to leave the temporary shelter - a police station.
"We haven't forgotten the horror... My kids and I were beaten up, they threw stones at us," said Lali, a woman in the camp, showing her injured leg.
Children, woman and men, all are braving the heat wave with just three coolers and two pedestal fans. Some of the children have already suffered heat stroke.
Three successive talks with the authorities have failed - including today's meeting, which was attended by the Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, the chief of Faridabad police and the local legislator.
"The panchayat is asking us to come back and following their appeal, one man actually went back. He was beaten black and blue," said a young man.
But though they are homeless, and Ramzan is only 15 days away, the people are determined to rebuild the mosque.
"The masjid will be built there. That is our right. We shall not return until it is guaranteed that we can perform our prayers there," said another local, Alim.