BJP – Page 27

Report on incidence of communal violence in Patan-Somnath town in Gujarat

December 13, 2014 by Nasheman

Representational Image

Alliance for Peace and Justice and All India Secular Forum decided to investigate the incidence of communal violence that occurred on 25th November 2014 in Patan-Somnath town in Gujarat between Hindus and Muslims and was reported in the press.

A team of Adv. Irfan Engineer, All India Secular Forum and Rafi Malek, Alliance for Peace and Justice (APJ) and Jagdish Bamaniya (APJ) was constituted. The team visited Somnath-Patan on 7thand 8th December 2014. They met Assistant Sub-Inspector of Shiv Police Chowki, Shri Babariya, Yusuf Hussain Kachara, President, Patan Ghanchi Samaj, Dadabhai, Secretary of Patan Ghanchi Samaj, Mohammed Haji Yakub, Treasurer of Patan Ghanchi Samaj, Suleman Kapadia, victim whose shop was attacked, Sarman Solanki, Presidant, Veraval Taluka President of BJP and Nusrat Panja. The team also tried to meet Hindu Victims and their representatives but they were not prepared to talk to the team officially. We also tried to meet Kanabhai, leader of the Koli community but he refused to meet us and even scolded the member of the team contacting him stating that he was under pressure and could not talk to the team.

Background:

Patan is a small town in Southern Saurashtra. Patan and Veraval are under a joint municipal body called Patan-Veraval Sanyukta Nagar Palika. Somnath temple in Patan is well known for two reasons – 1) it is one of the Jyotirling of Lord Shiva and therefore auspicious for Hindus, and 2) in 1992 L. K. Advani, the then president of BJP commenced his campaign against Babri Masjid on a rath yatra from this temple town which ultimately led to the demolition of the Masjid in Ayodhya. The Hindu nationalists use Somnath temple as a symbol of “aggression of Muslims” over Hindus as Mohammad Gazni, a Muslim warlord attacked the temple several times for looting its wealth. The Hindu nationalists represent the aggression as Muslim rulers desire to attack Hindu faith and idol worship.

Total population of Patan is around 60,000 with Muslim communities constituting roughly about 25-30% of the population. The two major communities that inhabit Patan are the Ghanchi (Muslims) – about 1,000 to 1,200 houses and Koli (Hindu) – about 1,500 to 2,000 houses. Besides the Ghanchis, there are other communities as well. The other Muslim communities are Patnis, Syeds, Pathans, Sheikhs, Memons etc. There are about 14 Muslim Jamats (communities). The Ghanchi and Koli communities are backward educationally and socially. Literacy rates are lower than the national average and dropout rates high. Roughly on 5% of them complete schooling. There aren’t three professionals – lawyers, doctors or engineers in both the communities. The other dominant communities in the Gir-Somnath and Junagadh are Kharwas, Karadia, Ahir and Patel.

Large number of people inhabiting Patan town are daily wage earners employed in Patan GIDC, in the fishing industry, port, ice factories etc. Every morning, labourers largely belonging to the Ghanchi and Koli communities travel in shared auto rickshaws hailed from Shiv Police Chowki junction to work. Ghanchis and Kolis live in wadis (residential neighbourhoods). The wadis belonging to both the communities are peculiarly interspersed and to reach any destination, they have to pass through each other’s wadis. The wadis are linked through common roads that are poorly illuminated and extremely narrow. We were told that one of the reasons why there were no communal riots in Patan is that any access to the town is passage through each other’s wadis.

The only communal incidence that occurred was in 1983 which began in Veraval between the Sindhis and Muslims and Patan was also affected. Hussain Kasam Kachra, the then Vice-President of Municipal Council had sustained 7 fractures. Other than the 1983 incident, there is no history of communal violence in Patan. People of Patan live peacefully in wadi area and share common culture and identity, exchange of food and participate in each other’s functions and festivals. The Hindu Muslim fabric was strong in this town but in last couple of years the bonds seem to have weakened.

The Ghanchi community leaders told us that the community did not take political stance either way. Both parties – Congress as well as BJP had opened their electoral offices with the help of members of the community to campaign within the community. They gave liberty to their members to vote for any candidate of their choice. However, informally the leaders preferred to ally with the BJP, particularly as the BJP candidate was Jasabhai Barad who was formerly from the Congress. The Ghanchis, in order to get even their routine and easiest work done, have to align with the ruling party without which they have to suffer. Kolis and Ghanchis – both are politically with BJP.

Port, fishing and allied industries, particularly ice factories and ship building are the major industries in Veraval and Patan. There are two gangs of anti-social elements operating in these areas – the Magra Gang and Farookh Maulana gang. They often compete with each other.

The Koli community leaders in Gujarat have been asserting and organizing themselves with the objective of increasing their political representation. The dominant community in Gir-Somnath and Junagadh Districts are Kolis. Until recently they were with the Congress. Their strong organization and political assertion led to bagging large number of tickets from the BJP. In the last state assembly election unprecedented number of Koli MLAs had been elected. The Kolis are demanding 95 tickets for their community members and should that happen, they would decide the Chief Minister of Gujarat, however, that does not seem probable. BJP for the first time gave MP ticket to a member of Koli community – Rajesh Chudasama – elected in the 16th general election from Junagadh constituency in which Patan town falls. The renewed assertion Kolis is impacting on their social interactions. Every two or three months, there have been disputes between members of Koli and Ghanchi community over petty issues of payment to a rickshaw drivers etc. with potential of widening the conflict. However, the leaders of both the communities immediately intervened in the past and settled the dispute amicably. Mostly the Ghanchis would be made to pay some minor compensation.

Incident:

The team did not find material difference in the narration of the incidence of communal violence that had occurred on 25th November 2014 by various people they talked to. The ASI Babariya was present during the communal incidence on 25th November as the violence broke out near Shiv Police Chowki at about 8.30 am. The Police personnel of the Chowki had just resumed their respective duties when the violence occurred and they were completely unprepared. According to the ASIthere was a dispute about a Rs. 10 currency note belonging to a “Mohammedan” which was claimed by a Koli.

According to Yusuf Kachara, Muslim passengers were sitting in an auto rickshaw being driven by a Muslim. A Rs. 10 currency note belonging to Muslim passenger fell down, but was claimed by a Koli. According to Suleman Kapadia, who owns several shops, including a cold drink shop, youth had written his cell number to pass it on to his girl friend for her to call him. Girls are not allowed to keep cell phones with them so they exchange cell numbers in this way and use someone else’s phone to call. When the currency note was claimed by a member of Koli community, there was heated argument.In the scuffle, the Muslim passenger was hit bya tiffin box.This injured the Muslim youth and his head and started bleeding. SulemanKapadia further informed the team that the wound was deep and there were three stitches. The Ghanchi neighbourhood and the Koli neighborhood is separated by Veraval-Una Highway and the Shiv Police Chowki too issituated on the Highway. According to the ASI and all others the team talked to, elders of both the community intervened and separated those fighting.

However, after about half an hour, the Kolis from Shanti Nagar reassembled and started pelting stones on Muslim neighbourhood across the highway. We observed the shop facing the road located on the Muslim side had been damaged. ASI further informed the team that the bikes on the road were also burnt.In the attack by Koli youth, one fruit stall, and two refrigerators of cold drink shop owned by SulemanKapadia were damaged. They looted the chocolates, biscuits and other eatablesin the shop. SulemanKapadia claims that he suffered a loss of about Rs. 4-5 lakhs and has no insurance. One motorbike(pulled out from house by breaking doors) and two fruit stalls and a fruit shop were damaged in the attack led by the Koli youth.

Muslim youth too gathered and retaliated by pelting stones from the roof top. They burnt 8 motorbikes, damaged two fruit stallsand one fruit shop and 10 to 15 Kolis suffered minor injuries while 8-10 Muslims also were injured.

Yusufbhai informed the team that once every 2 – 3 months such scuffles happen over some minor issue or another, including payment of rickshaw fare. Elders of both sides intervene and do not let the violence escalate even if sometimes they have to compensate in order to settle the dispute. However, this time the Muslim youth did not listen to them. Yusufbhai along with the ASI and his team of two constables that were available at the time were trying to keep stone pelting mobs separate. The ASI was injured too as a stone hit him behind his right year causing swelling. Yusufbhai too was injured. The police team of three was hopelessly outnumbered and ill equipped, without even helmets for their protection. Half an hour later, police reinforcements came along with Dy. SP and Mamlatdar and they brought the situation under control. The police had to burst teargas shells near Vadli to disperse the Muslim mob. In the melee, someone snatched a mobile worth Rs. 500/- (five hundred only) of a policeman.

None from any community lodged any complaint with the police pertaining to the incident. Police suomoto registered an FIR. Later, the police arrested 42 Muslims and 14 Koli youth who were still in their custody. The police have charged all the 56 persons, amongst other sections for rioting, with S. 395 of IPC (dacoity) for loss of a mobile of the policeman.Ghanchi community members told the team that police arrested by-standers and innocents who happened to be there during the incident on both sides – Muslims as well as Hindus. The Ghanchi Community was taking care of all the expenses of the Muslims who were arrested and providing them food from a hotel. They also paid the family of the poor among the 42 who were arrested as their earning members were in police custody. The office bearers of the Patan Ghanchi Muslim Samaj were appreciative of the role of the BJP MLA Jasabhai Barad who promptly intervened when the police were arresting large number of Muslims. This stopped the police from being hostile to the community. Jassabhai Barad crossed over to BJP from Congress as he could not get any work done while in his former party. Jassabhai had polled votes from Muslims too.

A Hindu shopkeeper on the Muslim side of the Highway, who was sympathetic to RSS, talked to a team member but did not want to be identified. He derived satisfaction from the police action arresting large numbers of Muslims compared to Hindus.

Shops in the Patan area were closed on the day of the incident. However, the leaders of both the community met and decided to open their shops next day. Hindus were still afraid of opening their shops though Muslim shops had opened. Yusufbhai then called Kanabhai, leader of Koli community to open their shops as well. Similarly, the workers working in the GIDC from both the communities were afraid of getting out of their homes and travel to the GIDC area where factories are situated as they would have to negotiate “hostile” territories. However, here too, the elders of both the communities got together to persuade the workers to come out and go for work.

Our Findings and observations:

The communal riots in Patan seem to be spontaneous however, the root cause of the riots is continuous communal discourse in media and by communal organizations that is deepening communal consciousness. The Hindu communal forces have considerably succeeded in deepening Hindu communal identity based on “othering” of Muslims who are at best perceived as a problem to be tolerated and from time to time reminded that they are second class citizens living at the sweet will of Hindus. It is because of this that smallest and most insignificant conflict of daily occurrence takes communal turn and mobilizes non-Muslims against them. Patanriots is an excellent example of that. Why should ordinary dispute over payment of rickshaw fare or anything else become a cause for communal mobilization? The state and civil society both will have to do a lot neutralize these communal feelings, particularly, the “othering” of Muslims. Such propaganda are also an offence under s. 153A of IPC but the section has remained mute witness to offences committed against Muslims in Gujarat and indeed in India without being invoked ever. This time the riots could be easily controlled, but the violence may escalate and may be uncontrollable in future.

As we were tracking through the narrow lanes of Patan, on the surface peace seems to have been restored and everything normal. Women belonging to the Ghanchi community and Koli community were treading on the street together and conversing with each other. Women belonging to both the communities were sitting next to each and hawking fruits and vegetables. However there is a deeper division below the surface and communal divisions are widening with each such incident. RSS affiliated organizations are active in the area resorting to communal discourse which “others” Muslims. Though the Muslims had voted for the BJP in the last elections, but as the BJP Taluka President SarmanSolanki told the team, they (the BJP) would not change their ideology and Muslims could not be trusted just because they voted for them. Solanki said he personally did not believe in casteism of communalism.

Though the police could control communal violence this time, their post riot action of arresting 42 Muslims and 14 Hindus seems to be arbitrary. We were told that the Muslims in custody were sharing their food with the Hindus. The real culprits may still be free on both sides. Police need to do thorough investigation of the incident and marshal evidence to see that the guilty of violence on both sides are punished as a deterrence for future such escalations. It appears that police are not investigating the offence with the degree of seriousness it requires. The signals it is sending to both the communities is that the police are taking some action for records and soon everybody will be out of the custody and go scott free. Community members too seem to be relieved that no one from “their” community would be punished, and indeed innocent bystanders seem to have been arrested. The real instigators of the riots and stone pelters should not be allowed to go unpunished.

Civil Society organizations would have to promote harmony and understanding between various communities respecting differences and learning and benefiting from the rich diversitythat prevails in India. Urgent and serious attempts are needed here.

Protest in Lok Sabha over Godse, BJP MP regrets remarks

December 12, 2014 by Nasheman

New Delhi: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj Friday regretted in the Lok Sabha his remarks eulogizing Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse after vociferous protests by the opposition.

The house was in uproar over the issue as soon as it met for the day until the MP from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh finally said: “I regret my remarks and take back my words.”

The Congress earlier sought the suspension of the question hour but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejected the request.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the killer of Mahatma Gandhi was being praised, “which is a serious matter”.

Members of the opposition gathered near the speaker’s podium and shouted “Hey Ram!” — the last two words Gandhi uttered before he fell to the killer’s bullets — forcing the house to be adjourned for 10 minutes.

On Thursday, the issue had disrupted the Rajya Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the government did not associate itself with the remarks made by the Unnao MP and the concerned member was ready to apologize.

Soon after, Sakshi Maharaj said: “I take back my words. I have already taken back my words. I respect Bapu. They (opposition) don’t have any issue, so they are creating an issue. I regret if some people have been hurt.”

An unrelenting opposition insisted that he should apologize unconditionally.

“The entire nation is worried… He should render an unconditional apology,” Kharge said.

After this, the MP said: “I regret my remarks and take back my words.”

(IANS)

Karnataka Speaker bans mobile phones in Assembly

December 12, 2014 by Nasheman

Karnataka Assembly in sesssion. Photo: The Hindu

Belagavi: BJP member Prabhu Chavan was watching a zoomed in picture of Priyanka Gandhi during proceedings on Thursday.

Use of mobile phones in the Karnataka Assembly was banned on Friday, a day after the House was rocked by chaos over a BJP member watching a zoomed in picture of Priyanka Gandhi during proceedings.

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa suspended Prabhu Chavan, BJP legislator whose act caught on TV camera triggered a storm, for a day, and pulled up Housing Minister M H Ambareesh and Congress member S S Mallikarjun for using phones in the House.

“I hereby pronounce that the use of mobile phones in the state assembly is banned. Since Prabhu Chavan was watching a picture in an indecent manner, he is herewith suspended for a day from attending house proceedings,” he said.

The Assembly proceedings were paralysed yesterday amid chaos over the BJP MLA’s conduct, with ruling Congress members on the offensive demanding action against the legislator.

BJP members had hit back at Congress seeking two-day suspension of Mr. Ambareesh and Mr. Mallikarjun from the House, alleging they were also surfing through mobile phones during proceedings.

Mr. Thimappa also announced formation of legislature ethics committee, which will help mould the personality of legislators, monitor their behaviour in the House and legislative capabilities and enhance the dignity, decorum and prestige of the Assembly.

“Already a legislature ethics committee has been formed in the Upper House, but has not met even once. However, such a committee also will be constituted in the lower house,” he added.

In a major embarrassment to BJP, Mr. Chavan was caught on a TV camera watching a zoomed in photo of Priyanka Gandhi on his mobile phone and another BJP MLA U B Banakar playing video games during a debate on the plight of sugarcane growers on Wednesday.

During the BJP rule, the then ministers Laxman Savadi and C C Patil were also in the eye of a storm after TV channels aired video footage of their watching pornographic content on their mobile phones.

The legislature is holding the 10-day winter session here.

Belagavi session: BJP MLAs caught gaping Priyanka Gandhi picture, playing games on mobile in Assembly

December 11, 2014 by Nasheman

Belagavi: In an embarrassment to Opposition BJP, a party MLA was caught on camera purportedly watching a zoomed in photo of Priyanka Gandhi on his mobile phone and other playing video games during proceedings of the Legislative Assembly here.

During video clippings telecast on local TV channels, MLA Prabhu Chavan was also shown watching photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi along with Sonia Gandhi.

The Aurad legislator however courted controversy as he purportedly watched the zoomed in photo of Priyanka Gandhi.

Asked about his conduct, Chavan maintained he was flipping through pictures on mobile, including that of Modi.

When he came across a Priyanka Gandhi’s picture, he zoomed into it to read the slogan below. There was nothing objectionable in his zooming in the picture, he said.

“No no there was a slogan below, I was watching it, I can show you. I was watching slogan below (the photo).”

“By mistake I took it (phone) inside. I agree it is my mistake, but I have seen nothing with bad intention. I was checking photos of national leaders, I checked Narendra Modi photo…. I also checked my son’s photos….,” Chavan told reporters here.

“….nothing of that sort, taking it (mobile) inside is a mistake and I agree it was my mistake…,” he added.

Another BJP MLA U B Banakar was caught on camera playing online games on mobile phone oblivious of the discussion about the plight of sugarcane growers to whom sugar mill owners owe huge arrears.

The footage of both the MLAs seated separately was captured by a TV cameraman from the elevated media gallery and beamed by Kannada T V channels.

“It shows BJP Culture”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took sharp exception to the conduct of the BJP MLAs, and said it “shows their culture.”

“We know what happened in the House in the past, when BJP MLAs were caught watching blue films on their mobile phones inside the House,” he said.

BJP Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar, who succeeded Sadananda Gowda as the chief minister during the BJP regime, said the action of party MLAs watching pictures in the mobile phones is “wrong and cannot be tolerated.”

Belagavi session: Karnataka Assembly adjourned twice as BJP raises farmers' issue

December 9, 2014 by Nasheman

The Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi where the Winter Session commenced from Tuesday, December 9, 2014. Photo: D.B. Patil.

Belagavi: The Karnataka Assembly was on Tuesday adjourned twice after BJP MLAs demanded adjournment motion to discuss problems faced by farmers, including sugarcane price issue, as the winter session of the Legislature began.

Former Chief Minister and Opposition Leader, Jagadish Shettar sought adjournment motion and criticised the government for failing to keep its promise on payment to sugarcane growers made on the floor of the House in the last winter session.

The government had come under intense pressure to increase the State Advised Price (SAP) after a protesting sugarcane farmer committed suicide in front of the state secretariat during last winter session at Belagavi.

Sugarcane growers, who had rejected the price of Rs 2,500 a tonne fixed by the government, had staged protests, demanding that it be raised to Rs 3,500 per tonne.

The government is neglecting farmers’ problems even as they are on the streets, Shettar alleged.

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa said he would not allow adjournment motion, but the issue could be discussed under a different rule. Not satisfied with Thimappa’s assurance, BJP members who were staging protest in the well of the House raised slogans against the government.

Thereafter, Thimappa adjourned the proceedings till 3 PM.

Earlier also, Thimappa adjourned the House for ten minutes after he assured the members that he would take up the issue after the Question Hour.

Intervening in the matter, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the intentions of the opposition is “nefarious” to derail democratic norms by demanding adjournment motion before the Question Hour.

Objecting to Siddaramaiah’s remarks, BJP raised slogans which prompted Thimappa to adjourn the House for ten minutes.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders and party workers staged protest outside Suvarna Soudha, the state secretariat building here, to highlight the government’s ‘failure’ in protecting interests of farmers. The protest was led by BJP’s National Vice President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

BJP is also seeking resignation of four ministers – HS Mahadeva Prasad, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Qamarul Islam and KJ George for alleged land grab and failure of the Siddaramaiah government in preventing sexual assaults on women and children.

(PTI)

Not in favour to give SC reservation to Christian and Muslim Dalits: Central govt

December 9, 2014 by Nasheman

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot

New Delhi: The Government today said it is not in favour of bringing Dalits of Christian and Muslim communities under the ambit of reservation for the Scheduled Castes.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot said this during a discussion on a Bill to include more castes under SC category in four states and exclude one from it in Sikkim which was passed by the Parliament today.

“We are not agreeable to it,” Gehlot said referring to a demand by some members in the Upper House to include Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in reservation for SCs.
Citing a case in the Supreme Court in this regard, the Minister said that discussions can happen based on its outcome.

Responding to demands from several parties on extending reservation in the private sector, Gehlot said this demand has been there for the last 15 years and it would be looked into.

Gehlot was replying to matters raised by members during the discussion on the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014 which has been passed by the Lok Sabha earlier. Rajya Sabha also passed the Bill by a voice vote with most parties supporting it.

The Bill was first tabled in 2012 but lapsed after the previous Lok Sabha was dissolved and the BJP government introduced it August in Lok Sabha.

Gehlot sought to address members’ concerns, saying that diversion of funds from Scheduled Castes Special Component Plan is an important issue and such a practice is not desirable.

Earlier, in the discussion over the Bill, P L Punia (Congress) supported the legislation and said that the population of those in the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has increased and the percentage of reservation should also be increased in the same proportion.

Punia advocated extending reservations for these sections in private sector as well as the judiciary.

AIADMK member K Arjunan sought to highlight the demand to include Dalit Christians in the list of Scheduled Castes. Husain Dalwai (Congress) sought reservation benefits for Dalit-Muslims saying discrimination on the basis of caste is not confined to only one religion.

Tarun Vijay (BJP) and D Bandyopadhyay (TMC) supported the Bill. Bandyopadhyay said that the Centre should bring out a comprehensive plan for the development of weaker sections adding that at present efforts only constitute disjointed schemes. Vishambhar Prasad Nishad (SP) and Anil Kumar Sahani (JD-U) also participated in the debate.

BJP member Nanda Kumar Sai demanded strict regulations to eliminate fake community certificates and recording the names of communities in officials records in Hindi and regional languages as well to avoid spelling mistakes.

Dilip Kumar Tirkey (BJD), D Raja (CPI), Ambeth Rajan (BSP), Chaudhary Munavvar Saleem (SP) were among those who shared their views.

(PTI)

Are all Indians Sons of Ram?

December 8, 2014 by Ram Puniyani

During the anti colonial movement, Mahatma Gandhi emerged as the tallest of leaders and was called, ‘Father of the nation’ Rashtrapita. This term was first used by Subhash Chandra Bose in a Radio address in 1944 and later approved, accepted and upheld by majority of Indians. Of course he was not accepted as Father of the Nation by Muslim and Hindu communalists. For Muslim communalists, Muslim Nation began from eight century with the rule of Mohammad bin Kasim in Sindh. For Hindu Communalists this has been a Hindu nation from times immemorial. Gandhi was accepted as Father of the nation by majority of Indians and all those who were with freedom movement led by him for his role in bringing together all the people of India. The nation was seen as ‘Nation in the making’ not as a ready made nation as presented by religious nationalists.

Gandhi’s marathon effort was to bring in fraternity amongst all the Indians and so Hindu-Muslim unity was central to his enterprise. This was the logical central point of his effort as these were two main religious communities. He anchored himself to morality of all the religions and could bring the bonding of different religious communities under the overarching identity of ‘Indian’. He faced the strong resistance to his efforts from the propaganda and deeds of the communal forces, that’s also what led to his murder in 1948.

Despite his murder; the communalists and their hate propaganda and divisive thinking continued and kept changing its language in different guises. While majority Muslim communalists went over to Pakistan, the leftover of this communalism did produce the likes of Akbaruddudin Owaisi and his clones indulging in hate speech against Hindus. On a much larger and bigger scale the head of Hindu communal organization, kept harping on creating social common sense picked from the British introduced communal historiography, where Muslim kings were demonized, labeled as aliens etc. around which stereotypes and myths were constructed. This demonization reached its peak in the slogan Babar ki Aulad jao Kabristan ya Pakistan (sons of Babar go to Pakistan or graveyard) The latest in the line is that all those who do not identify with Lord Ram are Haramjade (Illegitimates) and the country belongs to Ramjade’s (Sons of Ram) only, others are to be treated like aliens.

This formulation is the culmination of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement that all of us are Hindus, this is Hindustan. By inference Lord Ram is the symbol of India that is Hindustan and so Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti the BJP minister in central cabinet stated “Modi has given a mantra that we will neither take bribe nor let others take bribe. Now you have to decide whom to choose. Will you choose the sons of Ram or those who are illegitimate),” Just a small recap; Indian Constitution calls it as “India that is Bharat’.

Now while the collective opposition is demanding the suspension of the Sadhvi from Minister ship and initiating the legal proceedings against her, the BJP is hiding her under the pretext that she has already apologized and that she is new to the ministry. Also that she is coming from a poor dalit background. The opposition argument is that she has taken oath under the Indian Constitution, while her statement is not only an attempt to create a divide between religious communities, it’s a blatant hate speech and such a person is already guilty of violating the Indian Constitution. The criminal action demanded by opposition ranks against the minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti relates to the hate speech provision, Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes a maximum sentence of three years of imprisonment.

One can be charged under this section only with the government’s sanction. Hate speech is widely understood to be an exception to the freedom of speech, Section 153A also holds to account anybody who is “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion … and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony”. There are many in this gallery, prominent amongst them being Akbaruddin Owaisi, Raj Thackeray, Praveen Togadia, and Varun Gandhi, to name the few who came out with scathing statements against the ‘other community’. Hiding behind the fact that Sadhiv Jyoti is a dalit holds no water as she is fully indoctrinated in the ideology of Sangh Parivar. Also the argument that even Sonia Gandhi used the word ‘Maut ke Saudagar’ (Merchants of Death) is not relevant here, as Sonia was talking about a political tendency of communalism, not against any particular religious community.

Overtly BJP leadership is not much supporting this statement, but this is the logical outcome of the politics of their Parivar, which brought them to power and whose agenda of Hindu nationalism they are pursuing. How do we deal with such divisive agenda and Hate speech? One recalls Akbaruddin Owaisi was taken to task for his Hate speech. If one recalls right Dr. Pravin Togadia was also the guest of the prison for Hate speech once. Dr. Togadia has probably set the bench marks more than once in clever use of divisive language. His video of how to get rid of Muslim neighbors by throwing tomatoes on them was also seen but most of the time he has escaped the punishment. A similar comment, like the one now of Sadhvi Jyoti was also made by another BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh by Ram Pratap Chauhan in Vijay Shankhnaad Rally in Agra on 21st November 2013 as well. That one got unnoticed. IT only goes on to show, Sadhvi’s statement is a part of the thinking in the wider Parivar circle.

BJP leadership faces the dilemma. In Parliament and for the global consumption it has to keep the face of ‘Development’, while to keep its political power it has to go with the divisive agenda of its parent organization as unfolded by its associates and many elements within the party. So a clever balancing act is always in order, to hide under the apology of A Sadhvi and to turn a blind eye towards such tendencies. For them the same divisive agenda has to be operationalized with some variations in places where elections are to be held.

Then the question comes, as Indian nation who is our Father; Gandhi or Ram? Ram is a mythological reality with whom large section of Hindus identify. He was King of Ayodhya. The criticism of the prevalent version of Ram Story by Dr. Ambedkar seems to have been ignored in the din of communal hysteria. In ‘Riddles of Hinduism’, Ambedkar takes up the issue of Ram upholding caste and gender hierarchy amongst others. Rams’ murder of Shambuk, as Shambuk was a Shudra who was doing penance has come under heavy criticism from Ambedkar. Similarly banishing his pregnant wife Sita is a serious issue. One more point Ambedkar raises is also about Ram’s killing of Bali Raja, that too from behind. Bali was a popular king revered by dalit bahujans. Similarly Periyar Ramasami Naicker also took many of these issues about the Lord.

While there are claims that we are a Hindu nation from times immemorial, as a matter of fact India became a nation state through the anti colonial struggle led by Gandhi. So the very formulation that all Indians are sons of Ram has no grounding. Surely many Hindus identify with Ram but as Indians, it is Gandhi who is the ‘father of the nation’. Ram is symbol of Hindu nationalism while Gandhi is symbol of Indian nationalism.

After Modi came to power in 2014, the assertion of RSS agenda is going on uninhibited and intimidating those who uphold the Indian Constitution and values of freedom struggle. Assertions like Ramjade as synonymous with Indian-ness are revival of the forces which killed and went on to celebrate this dastardly act, which was the first attack on values of our freedom movement.

What did Babri demolition leave behind?

December 6, 2014 by Nasheman

by Mujeeb Vallapuzha

Every year, Dec 6 is a reminder how the Babri Masjid demolition ripped apart communal coexistence in India. The communal violence that followed the demolition shows how the disaster has polarized the communities in India and, in retrospect, how it has represented a particular religion – Islam – and its followers in a extremely negative light to its other inhabitants.

The composite nature of Indian society, which is known for its religious diversity and communal plurality, was ruptured at the dawn of its independence, which witnessed a nightmarish bifurcation on religious lines; the Babri episode further antagonized the communities. The continued religious violence since is merely an extension of that momentous event. Since the perpetrators of the demolition – the Hindu right-wing forces – have gone largely unpunished, it has further emboldened the fringe groups encouraging them to operate with impunity both under the erstwhile centrist and the current right-wing government. Inter-community conflict has become a more pervasive national phenomenon since the demolition.

Even after 22 years, what makes Babri demolition a dreadful memory is the way it has redefined religious coexistence in the country. The communal polarization has unleashed unprecedented attacks against Indian Muslims.

Following the demolition, places such as Delhi, Bhopal, Kanpur, Bombay, Ahmadabad, and Surat became cauldrons of communal resentment. B.N. Srikrishna Commission Report, compiled after the Bombay Riots, had also pointed out how these communal conflagrations vilified the Muslim community.

Despite the fact that the the Babri demolition was purportedly sponsored by a handful of fascist terror outfits that made the Muslim community all over India feel insecure and threatened the secular fabric of the country, the Muslim community was widely portrayed in the Indian Mass media as foreign invaders and advocates of terrorism. The media completely elided the role of extremist Hindu outfits that were behind the real destruction and mayhem.

What made such a terror campaign acceptable was the fact that the demolition and riots could be used as a political trump card by almost all the political parties. The passions over Ramjanmabhoomi issue were not only employed to distort Indian history but to rouse Hindutva fervor among the people, which manufactured a view of Islam as a belligerent opponent to Hindutva. In short, the demolition of Babri Masjid reversed the story of Hindutva consolidation by presenting Islam and Muslims as the real culprits. It led to an irreversible negative image of Islam and Indian Muslims in the public sphere.

The disaster marked a loss of faith and hope in democratic principles in the country. It ripped open the scars of Partition, engendering a feeling of insecurity among Indian Muslims. Consequently, this feeling of insecurity was exploited by certain vested interests which lured some of the youth from the community into terrorist and anti-national activities, further reinforcing the view that Muslims are prone to violence. Following the demolition, no efforts were made to alleviate the fears and insecurities of the Muslim community.

What Indian Muslims would like to see is not a reopening of those wounds but a restoration of peace and harmony. On this anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition, one hopes that the Indian state once again restores values of secularism and communal coexistence.

However, catharsis is possible only when we remember those moments of despair and devastation.

Mujeeb Vallapuzha is a lecturer at Abdullah Educational Academy, Kerala, India.

Timeline of Babri Masjid case

December 6, 2014 by Nasheman

1528: The Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, a nobleman of Babur’s court

1855: The Hanumangarhi episode. Hindu-Muslim conflict as a consequence of an attempt by Muslims under the leadership of Shah Gulam Hussain to oust the Hindu Bairagis from the Hanumangarhi temple on the grounds that the temple had supplanted the mosque. The Muslims were deafeated. The dispute was not over the Babri Masjid.

1857: Soon after the Revolt, the Mahant of Hanumangarhi takes over a part of the Babri Masjid compound and constructs a chabutra.

30 Nov 1857: Maulvi Muhammad Asghar of the Masjid submits a petition to the magistrate complaining that the Bairagis have built a chabutra close to mosque ( similar complaints are made in 1860, 1877, 1883 and 1884)

1859: The British Government erects a fence to seprate the places of worship of the Hindus and the Muslims. The Hindus are to enter from the East gate and the Muslims from the North.

1885:

29^th January: The Mahant files a suit to gain legal title to the land in the mosque and for permission to construct a temple on the chabutra.

24^th December: The Mahant’s suit and appeals are dismissed. His claim for the proprietorship of the land in the compound of the Masjid in also dismissed by the Judicial Commissioner.

1886:

25^th May: The Mahant appeals again to the highest court in the province.

1^st November: The Judicial Commissioner dismissed the Mahant’s appeal again.

1936: An inquiry conducted by the then Commissioner of waqf’s under the UP Muslim Waqf Act, and it is held that the Babri Masjid was built by Babur who was a Sunni Muslim.

1949:

22-23^rd December: In the night of an idol of Rama was installed by the Hindus inside the mosque. The Government proclaims the premises as disputed area and locks the gates.

1950:

16th January: A suit is filed by Gopal Singh Visharad in the court of the Civil Judge, Faizabad, praying that he is entitled to worship in the Ramjanmabhumi.

24^th April: The District Collector of Faizabad, J.N. Ugra, files a statement in court that the property in suit has been in use as a mosque and not as a temple.

1951:

3^rd March: The Civil Judge orders that the idols should remain. The High Court confirms this order on 26 April 1955.

1961:

18 December: The first civil suit by Muslims is filed by the Sunni Central Waqf Board for the delivery of the possession of the mosque by the removal of the idols and other artices of Hindu worship.

1984:

7 and 8 April: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sponsored Dharma Sansad in a session at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi gives call to liberate the Ramjanamabhumi.

To create national awareness in support of the liberation of the Bhumi the VHP organizes a rath-yatra of Sri Rama Janaki Virajman on a motorized chariot from Bihar 25 Sept 1984 to reach Ayodhya on 6 October 1984. But Indira Gandhi’s assassination later that month leads to a suspension of the yatra.

1986: Umesh Chandra Pandey files an application in the court of the munsif seeking the removal of the restrictions on the puja. The application is turned down.

1^st February: K.M. Pandey, District Judge, Faizabad, orders the opening of the locks to the Hindu for worship. The Muslim community is not allowed to offer any prayers.

March: The Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) is formed. This is followed by a countrywide Muslim ‘mourning’.

12^th May: The Sunni Central Waqf Board files a writ petition against the District Judge’s order.

1987:

11 December: The State of Uttar Pradesh applies to the Allahabad High Court that the hearing of the two writ petitions be deferred and the four civil suits be withdrawn from the court of munsif sadar and tried by the High Court.

March: At New Delhi’s Boart Club three lakh Muslims gather to demand handing over the Babri Masjid.

April: The Hindus gather at Ayodhya to pledge the liberation of the shrine.

1988:

December: The Babri Masjid Action Committee splits to form Babri Masjid Movement and the BMAC.

1989:

November: The Shilanyas is held at Ayodhya on 9^th Novemeber and the foundation of the temple is laid next day. The plinth is dug 192 feet away from the mosque.

On 11^th November the VHP leaders declare that the construction of the temple is being deferred and it would be decided in January 1990.

December: A coalition of the Janata Dal, the Bhartiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India forms the Government at the the Centre after the general elections.

1990:

15 February: The new government constitutes a committee to talk to the various groups and find an amicable solution.

October: A rath-yatra, from Somnath to Ayodhya led by the BJP leaders start.

The BJP withdraws support to the Janata Dal Governmet.

In the Shilanyas procession and the kar seva on 30^th October performed amidst tight security, several people are killed and injured in the police action.

November: The BJP and the VHP decided to resume the Kar seva on 6^thDecember.

8th December: An attempt to blow up the structure by Suresh Kumar was made, which was foiled.

28th February 1991: Intelligence Bureau perceived imminent threat to Babri Masjid and sent a security plan.

26th June 1991: Kalyan Singh assuemed Chief Minister office in UP.

10th July 1991: The UP government under the garb of promoting tourism and providing amenities for the visitors; acquired 2.77 acres of land in front of disputed structure.

1st October 1991: VHP proposed a Bajrang Maha Rudra Yagya from 1st Oct to November. On 31st October, Karsevaks climbed the domes of the disputed structure by jumping over the security cardons. They were removed from there along with their flags.

2nd Nov 1991: In a meeting of the National Integration Council, Kalyan Singh gave an assurance

” as regards the disputed structure I want to make it clear that I assured you the entire responsibility of the protection of the disputed structure in ours. We should be vigilant about the disputed structure. We have strengthened the arrangements for its protection. Now nobody will be able to go there. No incident would be allowed to be repeated when three person climbed on the top of the dome. I want to convey this assurance to you through this council. Overall, it is our clear submission regarding the court; we will abide by the order given by the court. We do not want to do anything by violating its order”

30the December 1991: Road barriers were removed from the feeder roads leading to the disputed structure. Removal of barrier allowed freedom of movement to the larger member of public visiting the disputed structure. Barbed wires and barriers,especially those immediately behind the disputed structure, were removed on or about 2nd of January 1992.

17th Feb 1992: Construction by UP government of the security wall know as Ram Dewar measuring 8 to 10 feet in height, on the three sides of acquired land at Ayodhya including the disputed structure commenced. An overall impression was created that construction of Ram Dewar was a major step taken for construction of temple by the state.

4th May 1992: Barbed wire, concertina rolls and iron pipe barricades were removed from western, eastern and southern sides and from the road outside the complex.

11th July 1992: Ministry of Home Affairs pointed out as man as 12 serious security lapses and deficiencies.

13 to 15th July 1992: S.B. Chavan the Home Minister of India informed the Lok Sabha that UP government had violated the court’s order. The Supreme Court aked for the details as to whether any permanent construction had been made etc. The High Court directed construction to be stopped. The administration however failed to implement this order although it proclaimed to have made attempts to implement it.

23rd August 1992: K alyan Singh in spite of being Chief Minsiter declared that ” If the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court with respect to Ram temple would be against the emotion of Hindus, we will make a separate law for the construction of temple”

September 1992: It was announced that Charan Paduka Puja would commence from 26^th of September and go on till the 25^th November. Sadhus would carry Charan Paduka to 6,00,000 villages for recruiting 60,00,000 Karsevaks. Karsevaks recruited were required to swear an oath that they would not return from Ayodhya before the construction of temple was complete.

October 1992: Commissioner SP Gaur Faizabad was of the perception that the call for Karseva given by VHP was for construction of temple on 2.77 acres acquired land and at the disputed site. He sought appropriate directions for security of the disputed structure in view of these changed circumstances. A reminder was sent by him on the 14^th October.

An assurance was given by the state to the Supreme Court that no construction would be carried out in the acquired land.

Bal Thackeray took a decision on 25^th October 1992 to participate in the Karseva. It was announced that this was not going to be a mere symbolic Karseva, but the actually Karseva at the spot by construction of temple.

On 29^th October, the negotiations collapsed.

VHP called and organized a meeting of the Dharam Sansad on the 30^th October for deciding the future course of action. Sants wanted the Prime Minister to hand over the disputed structure to Hindus. Acharya Dharmendra Dev Stated that he had already decided the 6^th December 1992 for the Karseva, which decision was later approved by all sadhus.

November 92: The Chief Minister refused to associate the CRPF or the Intelligence Bureau in reviewing the security, asserting that State Government was competent to secure the disputed structure.

On 1^st November, the Prime Minister had assured the AIBMAC that the government would not allow karseva and that the law would take its own course.

On 3^rd November, A K Saran formed the opinion that approximately 1,50,000 karsevaks would be coming to Ayodhya on the 6^th of December and therefore wrote to DIG Faizabad asking him to make arrangements for security, crowd management and traffic management.

The Allahabad High Court, concluded hearing the challenges to the acquisition on 4^th November, and reserved judgment. The judgment was slated to be pronounced on the 29^th November but was later postponed to the 5^thDecember and to the 11^th December. It was finally pronounced on the 12^th of December 1992.

The BJP and RSS suspended all other programmes with effect from 15^thNovember in order to clear the decks for the 6^th December.

In the absence of the Prime Minister, to take stock of the situation Cabinet Committee meeting of Arjun Singh, Sharat Pawar and SB Chavan took place on 20^th and 26^th of November 1992. By now, the number of Karsevaks likely to come to Ayodhya was estimated to be 4 to 5 lakhs.

It was reported in media that the IB had, in its dispatches dated 22^nd of November, stated that the Sangh intended to demolish the structure.

In view of the threat perception the Central Government had, by the 24^th of November stationed 195 companies of paramilitary forces around Ayodhya. The Chief Minister on the 25^th November objected and protested against the stationing of forces at Ayodhya and demanded the withdrawal.

The Supreme Court invited an assurance from the VHP leaders and the State Government to the effect that no construction of either permanent or temporary nature would take place.

On the 28^th November, the UP Government undertook to comply with the court’s order dated 25^th of November, to the effect that no construction of permanent or temporary nature would take place, though to assuage the religious feeling of Ram Bhakts, construction at some other place would take place.

VHP leaders Chinmayanad and Vijay Raje Scindia filed affidavits in the Supreme Court undertaking that neither any construction would be done nor any construction material would be carried in the Ram Janam Bhoomi Babri Masjid complex. They accepted that the Karseva would only be symbolic and only for assuaging the feelings of the Karsevaks.

Kalyan Singh called an emergency meeting of Ministers and directed them to mobilize Karsevaks in UP, at least 10 people from each Gram Panchayats of which were 75,000.

It was obvious and categorically admitted that no effort to restrict, check or regulate the number of Karsevaks in Ayodhya or Faizabad was made. The Karsevaks were using the graveyards to defacate. Karsevaks entered into the old mosque and stoned the scooter borne peace rally organized by Congress. Mazar of Maqi Shah, Babri Mazar and another Mazar at Ram Katha Kunj were damaged and graves leveled.

On 29^th November, ringing of thalis, blowing of conches, ringing of bells etc was carried out

1st December 1992: The DM informed the government that between 6 and 7 am hours about 35 unknown people damaged 3 graves situated in Kuber Tilla and on the corner of southern side road of the State Park.

2nd December 1992: About 60,000 Karsevaks were present in Ayodhya. The district administration asked for more force to deal with these numbers which was declined by the State Government.

5th December 1992: CM Kalyan Singh,once again and in writing this time, ordered against the use firearms specifically on the 6th of December.

6th December 1992:

On that Sunday morning, LK Advani and others met at Vinay Katiyar’s residence. They then proceeded to the disputed structure, the report says. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Katiyar reached the puja platform where symbolic Kar Seva was to be performed, and Advani and Joshi checked arrangements for the next 20 minutes. The two senior leaders then moved 200 metre away to the Ram Katha Kunj. This was a building facing the disputed structure where a dais had been erected for senior leaders. Religious leaders and others had been making fiery speeches at Ram Katha Kunj for some time.

At noon, a teenaged Kar Sevak was “vaulted” on to the dome and that signaled the breaking of the outer cordon. The report notes that at this time Advani, Joshi and Vijay Raje Scindia made “feeble requests to the Kar Sevaks to come down… either in earnest or for the media’s benefit”. No appeal was made to the Kar Sevaks not to enter the sanctum sanctorum or not to demolish the structure. The report notes: “This selected act of the leaders itself speaks of the hidden intentions of one and all being to accomplish demolition of the disputed structure.”

The demolition was accomplished by smashing holes inside the walls of masjid. Ropes were inserted through these holes in the walls under the domes; the walls were pulled down with these ropes, bringing down the domes as well.

The Idols and cash box removed to safe place before the Karsevaks went inside the domes were placed at their original place at about 7 pm. The construction of a temporary make-shift temple commenced at about 7:30 pm through karseva.

Chief Minister Kalyan Singh announced at 6:45 pm that he had resigned. The Central Government on the other hand claimed that the Chief Minister Kalyan Singh was dismissed.

Riot effected Trilokpuri fact finding team report by NCHRO

December 5, 2014 by Nasheman

After the riots in Gujarat communal riots has taken a different mode in the country. Now, instead of rioting at mass level sponsored are made on a small scale. Then used for disturb the communal harmony. Recent trilokpuri incidence was not communal. But it was later given communal color. For this incidence only BJP is not responsible but every one playes his roll in it. Who had stoped the Congress and AAP to handle the situation? And AAP also did not take any platonic stand in this matter.

Riot Effected Trilok Puri Report

Fact Finding Team Members: Ansar Indori, Siddique kappan, Sunil Kumar

Date:- 30, 31 Oct. and 3 Nov. 2014

Delhi:- In 1976 Triloke Puri J J Coloney had been rehabilated after removing the slum jhuggi area of Ashram, Moti Bagh, Dhoula Kuan, INA, Lajpat Nagar, Kanchan Pari etc. There are 36 blocks in Trilokpuri. 500 houses had been allotted in every block . This area also effected in anti sikh riots 1984 and near about 250 peple from sikh community had been killed. Localitie’s current elected MLA is from AAP and MP from BJP.

There was a commotion in block 20 after a verbal spat on October 22, 2014, which these communal outfits spread into entire neighborhood. It’s said that the sparking incident of this fight was about drinking and consuming beef near the Mata ki Chowki installed temporarily.

There is a public park (Central Park) in block 20 where the garbage of block 20 dump. There was a toilet 5 or 6 years back at same place. Last year a Jagran was organized here and on 31 Oct. 2014 it was second time. First time after cleaning the garbage Mata ki Chouki placed for 37 or 38 days here.

It’s been said by hindu residents that after drinking alcohol Rizwan passed the urin at Mata ki Chouki, when we resist, then he began to abuse and slapped a boy. There were 10-15 youths standing in block, having talk with them Gourav Talwar tells that Samir Jain sitiing in the car with his friends and having a drink and Seenk Kabab. Samir has two Santro car with taxi No. he took them.

After passing 10-15 minuts stone pelting was started from Babloo’s home. Police arrived but unable to do anything, then heavy stone pelting began to start.

Gourav (Complainant) and five others (4 Hindus & 2 Muslims) were arrested by the police on 24 Oct. but after 2 days ACP released them on 10,000 personal bond. Further Gourav stated that he and his brother joint with RSS, when police arrested them his brother called acquaintance joint commissioner (After asking the name of that Joint CP, who was from outside of Delhi, Emphasizing mind he disclosed his name Rathor Sahab.) who was in Triloke Puri Police Station that time, and he said to Gourav’s brother that, ‘’if you earlier informed me, I could manage here but now Kalandara (case Report) prepared. There is no such a big case, ACP will release on bail.

When asked the Gourave that how a little quarrel spread to other places? he replied that this time Hindus were united. We asked that, be united so quikely that next day stone pelting in other blocks started? He told us two facts, first due to Mata ki Chouki friends came from other localities, as friends organized Ganesh Puja in block 18, I used to go there, and they also want to organize Mata ki Chouki, but we refused for this year and conviced them to organized next year. Due to this unity riot spread. Until today we were being beaten up. Second point he stated that an announcement was made from Mousque of block 27 that ‘all muslims are being killed, get all the muslim brother together.’ Further he said that there is central park in block 20, in which children could play cricket but captured by muslims only. No any Hindu can go in this park. Asking the population ratio of Hindus & Muslims he replied that there are 65% Hidus and 35% Muslims. He introduce himself as a minority and said that there are 8 house from the Punjabi community.

There are 95-96% Muslims in sector 27. and there is a road between 27 and 35 blocks, on this road, a heavey stone pelting was reported on the eve of 24 Oct. and 25 Oct. Babbi a resident of block 35 stays on first floor of his house and he is running a grossery shop under his home, stated that stones and bricks were pelted between 27 and 28 blocks. Which were taken after breaking drain’s wall. Few stones were also hit at my shop. We were afraid and hide in the house, even unable to looking outside. We had to bear a big loss due to 6 days closing the shops.

A resident of Block 27, 60 years old Israr khan belongs to Pathan community and retired from Electricity Dept. (DESU) in 2005. After retirement he opened a 3 story garments & shoes shop, in which his 8 workers with his two sons worked there. Israr khan’s shop was burnt at 4 AM on 25 Oct. on which Israr khan invested his whole income and 40 lakhs borroing money. Near about 80 Lakhs Material was burnt. He had no insurance, which was guuted his entire fortune. Israr Khan told that police was present at a little distance but did not help him. Fire brigade arrived two hours late, while both fire stations are only 2-3 k.m. away from my shop. Israr Khan tried to log an FIR but did not success. SHO told him that he’ll log in riot’s report. Israr has sent his complaint to DCP and other concerned officers by a registred mail, in which he mentioned the BJP worker’s names, no FIRs were registered as yet and no action taken against them.

A resident of 27 block 55 years Guntu Khan from Mansoori community runs his scrap and vessel shops in block 28. His scrap shop burned at 2 AM on 26 Oct. while the vessel’s shop was tried to rob by breaking the locks. He also tried to log an FIR but SHO did not register.

40 Years Meena Devi has been living for 40 year in 27 Block and has a son and two daughters. Son namely Prem Prakash is working as electritioan in Laxmi Nagar and if someone called him for personal electrical problem he also sort out in the area. They did not have any problem in these years. When asked her that has he seen this situation before? After recalling her mind Meena Devi told that in Indra’s time 1984 it happened, after that nothing ever happened. We Hindus and Muslims all live together peacefully.

Munni Devi has been living here since 1980, she sells women’s garment in weekly market. Her husband is a tailor and works in Pandav Nagar. She has a son and three daughters, all are studying in school. She stated that yet we have no problem. All the families are living peaceful here, only this time such quarrels happened. Due to it shops are not being opened and my husband could not work even for 3 days.

We met with some social workers who works for Hindu-Muslims unity. They stated that ‘’we were going to arrang a meeting for both communities. After some time we came to know by someone that meeting will be held in P.S. Trilok Puri. When we reached there duty officer refused to give us any information about it’’.

A resident of block 26 Kanta Mahra has a tea stal outside police station. Mrs Mahra had a Jhuggi in INA New Delhi. During the partition her family had come from Lahor, Pakistan. Her husband Hans Raj Mahra also used to sell the tea here. She stated that after 1984 there was no any problem here, everthing was cool. Due to cufew I was not able to open my tea stal. But when led to starve I opend the shop. At the same place we met a resident of 27 blocks Mr. Paltan who was retired from DESU and has been living here for 35 years. He stated that he is the only Hindu in his street But he did not seem to ever live in the Muslim neighborhood. We use to celebrate each other’s festivals. All muslim brothers participate in our children’s marriges with very heartly. A big tragedy happened in 1984 after that there were little quarrels taken place, but it was not happened even 10-15 years.

There are 80 % Muslims & 20 Hindus in block 15 and one mousque and three 3 temples. Heavy stone pelting reported in this locality and several people were injured. Several Muslims were also arrested from this block. Shabana’s nefew’s Aqika (Birth Ceremoney of a Child after 7 days) canceled due to riots. Police forcefully entered into the house and arrested Bilal (19), Irfan(32), Azhar(19) and Sajid(35 ). They were brutally beaten up by the police due to it Bilal’s finger, Irfan’s hand and Sajid’s ankle got fracture. Further Shabana said that even police did not allow us to meet with them, we met in Tihar Jail and police shown their arresting from block 27.

Block 15 resident Mohammad Shamshad said that I called police 25-30 times but police was not receiving the call. Same block’s another resident Alimuddin belongs to Bulandshar UP, and he is a E-Riksha driver. He was brutally beaten up by the police, due to it the black marks on his body could be seen. He said that many outsider people were throing the stones around his locality and police was standing 100 mtrs away but not coming. When local residents informed the ACP then he came with force.

Block 15 resident Mohammad Akhtar lives with his family and he is a motor machenic. Police arrested him between 2-2.30 pm. Akhtar got injuries in his hand and back. He has four chindren. His wife borroed some monety from someone then went to meet with him. Police has arrested a persone who was not a local resident, he came here to distribute the ceremony cards in their relatives. As the same police arrested Khurshid (60) and his son Jabir(17 a Garment Selesman).

Ramjan Mishra a DESU retired is a resident of block 15, who is known as a Panditji in the locality. When the rioters proceeded to throw stones in their street then he closed the street’s main gate and stood with folded hands in front of rioters and said to violent mob that “hit us first then go ahead”. By doing this Panditji save his street. Now Punditi is the subject of discussion foh his bravry in the locality. When Panditji was asked that he recognizes the rioters then he replied that “all were outsiders (from other blocks)”.

15 Block’s residents say that after surrounding the area rioters were throing the stones and headed by Ashok of 14 blocks. Who is a motor mechanic.

A residence of block 20 Nafisa is a widow. And survives with her children by selling polythene. On 23 Oct. at 8 pm she was coming to her home, at that time stones were thrown due to it she got injured and then her hand was fratured due to brutally beaten up by the police.

Mohammad Mohsin (22) S/o Mohammad Raees lives in block 20 working as motor painter. Mohsin got married 7 months back and time of arresting he was coming from in-law’s home in Meerut. Police did not allow family to meet him. Then they met him in Tihar Jail. Mohsin’s both hand were injured.

20 years Sonu S/0 Khurshid have an agg’s shop. He has been arrested from mousque and brutally beaten up there by the police till unconsciousness. Sonu recently got married and had a reception that time.

A resident of block 20 Wahidan (70) unable to speak clearly. Becouse of her old age she is unable to walk properly. Police forcely entered into her house no 410 and beaten up her and brock the stuffs. When her douther in law tried to resist them, police (5 Male, 3 Female) also beat her again.

Another resident of same block Sangita said that Muslims objected to set up the Chouki. We planned to set up Mata ki Chouki and clean the place so this place remain clean. When garbage was picked up, heavy smell spread. There were bugs in rainy weather. There is a Staue of Bajranbali, Muslims eat buffalos and intentionally throw his shit here to annoy us. Some Muslim women came and said that “if Mata ki Chouki would be put, then we’ll remind you chourasi (Sikh Riots)”. Muslim boys fired three round. In whom two were arrested and one fled. Our street resident Rizwan had drink and meat and he was going to touch our temple and abusing. There was a commotion in block 20 after a verbal spat. He slaped a 15 years boy after that we resist, then his wife came and took him. We called the police, and police made a compromise, but did not register the complaint. Bricks and bottoles were recovered from Roof of the Muslim’s houses, they had the whole planning. We used to off the loudispeaker at the time of their prayer(Namaz). Deepu’s wife got fractured in her hand. When we asked her “how she got hurt?”, she replied ‘at the time of stone pelting she got hurt’. Where were the people’s representatives? Snagita said that Ex. MLA Sunil Vaidh and Ramchandra Gujrati came and helped us. Today (Oct. 31) current AAP’s MLA came, whom we turened around. Sangita and Monu said that from childhood we had been beaten up, and never rised a voice but this time we awoke on Mata ki Chouki issue.

In a video clip near about 300-400 youth are shouting the ‘Bam Bam bhole, Har Har Mahadev, and Balmiki Shakti amar rahe’. These youths were mobilized behind the Balmiki Mandir which is 50 mtrs away from Ex BJP MLA Sunil Vaidh’s home. (There was a hording dispaying a massage about completion of 50 Years of Vishv Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on 17 Aug. followed by Shobha Yatra from Trilokpuri’s 1 Block to 36 Block.) Sunil Vaidh reached in this violent crowd and hardly stayed 25-30 mnts, at the same time he received a call and talked for 7-8 mnts (Due to lot of noice Sunil Vaidh’s voice was not cleared) and he left.

In another video clip, 150-200 youth(some had Stick put a Tilak on forhead and some had sword in hands) can be seen shouting the slogans ‘Pakistan Murdabad, Pakistan ki Ma ki…..’ and sprinting arrond on the road.

Conclution:

If block 20’s qurrel was not organised then how did it reach in other blocks?
Where were the elected representatives (MPs, MLAs and councelers) ?
What did Sunil Vaidh say to the violent mob in a short time that took ?
27, 15 blocks didn’t indulge in stoning, then where were the actual perpetrators from, and who were they actually?
Why only Muslim’s shops were burnt, if a Muslims mob was instigated by so-called Masjid announcment?
Why did police release the miscreant who started all this by creating a fight in Block 20? Who was behind this release?
Who is Joint Commissioner Rathore, who spoke to Gaurav Talwar’s brother?
What was police doing during the continued arson and why did the fire brigade vehicles reach after two hours?
Why did the police not register FIRs regarding the burnt shops?

National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation

(Delhi State)

Add: N-44- Hilal Homes, 2nd Stage, Ground Floor, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi -110025

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