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| Tens of thousands of Muslims have returned
home after the deadly 2002 riots in Gujarat, which for many irreparably
deepened the racial divide in one of India's otherwise most prosperous
states. But many of them live a low-key existence, on harsh terms.
Those who did not return -- estimated to be some 26,000 -- still live
in squalid ghettos, and demand that the government rehabilitate them.
Meanwhile, Muslims are also being exhorted to do more to integrate
into Gujarati society -- a process that NGOs there do not seem to
be actively helping so far. |
- Senior Roving Editor Neelesh
Misra
travels to Gujarat to evaluate the cross-currents in the state. |
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Muslims
negotiate cost of peace in Gujarat villages
In a few months, it will be five years since Shakil Bhai last heard
the call of the muezzin from the mosque by his village pond.
In a few months, it will be five years since the life of the gentle
grocer and his community changed.
On March 1, 2002, as religious fury raged through Gujarat and hundreds
fell to daggers and bullets, his family fled, barefoot, from their
home in Sunderna, 75 km southeast of Ahmedabad.
Rioters vandalised his grocery shop and home, and burnt down his lucrative
kerosene depot. The four minarets of the village mosque were smashed
and the dargah, or mausoleum, of a locally revered priest was severely
damaged. The dargaah has since been repaired with donations, but the
mosque remains without a head. |
| Complete
Story » |
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Muslims
not keen to return home
Hamida Bano sometimes feels she is invisible. When visitors feel like
throwing up at the stench from Ahmedabad's biggest garbage dump next
door, she does not sense anything.
When she tells visiting officials about poor roads and polluted drinking
water, nothing happens. When she calls up authorities to complain
about the long power outages, she says they hang up without a word.
Bano, 40, believes that much of it has to do with who she is —
a resident of one of the ghettos of Gujarat's displaced Muslim riot
victims. "It is as if I do not exist," she said as she stood
outside her home in a corner of Ahmedabad, surrounded by several other
women.
They are from 106 displaced families all from the Naroda-Patiya neighbourhood
— one of the epicenters of the 2002 riots — where nearly
90 people were killed.
Even four years on, they say they are too scared to return. |
| Complete
Story » |
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Gujarat
Muslims must share blame
Gujarat's 45 lakh Muslims form just over 9 per cent of the state's
population, according to the 2001 Census. On most counts, including
sex ratio, literacy, female literacy and work participation, they
fare better than the national average for all religions. Still, the
community is getting far more inclusive now.
Many Muslim children in Juhapura — home to an estimated 3 lakh
Muslims — might have never met a Hindu child.
The self-imposed exclusion of Muslims could have a far-reaching impact.
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| Complete
Story » |
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Reconciliation
still eludes Gujarat
The NGOs have saved lives in Gujarat, run relief camps, fought sharp-edged
legal battles with the government, built homes for the displaced and
helped them earn livelihoods.
But critics say they are not doing enough to begin reconciliation
between Hindus and Muslims, who have clashed with each other several
times over decades in the state with deep religious faultlines... |
| Complete
Story » |
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| Readers'
Response |
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| What is wrong with the Muslim mind? Why do they
believe that society has everything to give them without any positive contribution
on their part? Look at the Parsis - they are a tiny minority in India, but
they have contributed far more to match their absolute numbers towards the
Indian society. |
| Avinash, Alpine, Texas, nikkuone@yahoo.com |
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| The plight of Muslims is indeed sad. No one should have
to live like this. But please don't think I am insensitive. The Muslims
as a community must come together, not to fight the other communities or
demand special privileges but to become integrated into it. |
| GP Reddy, tejthatha@msn.com |
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| I agree that it is really a pathetic condition
they are facing now. It is the duty of all Muslim brothers to support and
help them out. If you can make this as an issue globally that will be of
great help to them. |
| Abdul Hakeem, Riyadh ahakeem@alhokair.com.sa |
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| I really appreciate your articles in bringing
out the realities of the disgusting conditions in which these people exist.
I hope the electorate throws out the current corrupt and anti-Muslim state
government so that a more moderate government is elected. |
| Mohsin Kanji, New York, USA,
mlknyc@yahoo.com |
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| Read
more responses » |
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