Quiet Eid near Batla House

The usual hustle-bustle and cheer was replaced by a sombre quiet; the new, sparkling clothes marred by black bands — Jamia Nagar was celebrating Eid, reports Neelam Pandey.

The usual hustle-bustle and cheer was replaced by a sombre quiet; the new, sparkling clothes marred by black bands — Jamia Nagar was celebrating Eid.

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Coming barely a fortnight after two alleged terrorists were killed in an encounter by Delhi Police, celebrations in and around the area were subdued.

“Many sported black badges to express solidarity with the families of the two young men who were killed in the encounter on September 19 and those who were arrested. Those who went to the Batla House mosque were told to wear a black badge,” said Sidra Farid, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia and a resident of Abul Fazal Enclave.

Even residents wore black badges on the call of the Jamia Nagar Coordination Committee. “Residents wanted to register their protest against the injustice meted out to the people of the area by the police and the administration. Tomorrow we will offer ghaibana namaaz janaza (absence prayer) for the two men killed in the encounter at the Batla House graveyard as the administration didn’t allow us to bring their bodies here,” said Irfanullah Khan, committee convenor.

“Batla House is always bustling during Eid, but this year celebrations are quite simple. Our family chose to celebrate in a quiet way to lend support to the families whose children are not with them,” said Naved Akhtar (name changed), Jamia Millia Islamia student and resident of Batla House.