By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Mainstream media once again lost objectivity in reporting Islam and Muslims. A Dalit family of five living in a Mumbai suburb converted to Islam after studying its teachings. The neighbors of their community retaliated violently and attacked the family leading to a communal clash as the family called Muslim neighbors for help. The media covered the incident as a communal clash relying wholly on police version. None bothered to reach the family.
This is the story of a Dalit family, living in Valmiki Nagar in Bandra, a western suburb of Mumbai.
Mumbai Dalit family showing their wounds they received in attack by Dalit neighbors after they announced their conversion to Islam
“We converted to Islam because of its teachings and we do not have any affair with Muslim boys nor were we forced to convert” said Harsha Anil Dagao, 17, Jagruti, 15 and Gauri, 13. These three minor girls reverted to Islam along with their family and renamed as Zohra, Sadiya and Iqra. They added, “We studied Quran and Fazaile Aamal in Hindi and believed that Islam is the true religion.”
“We have been brutally assaulted by the people of our community even Police arrested us for rioting but we will not leave Islam” exclaimed Zohra and her two sisters who were later released on bail by the court.
Dayawati Dagao, mother of these juvenile girls is also reverted to Islam and named Aisha. She was arrested too and granted bail later by the court.
Anil Dagao, the father of these girls, who was also studying Islamic literature converted to Islam after the incidence.
The clash began when the Dalit family who had converted to Islam were being targeted and beaten up brutally by their community people. Situation turned violent when a few Muslims living in the area tried to interfere in the matter when approached by the victim Dalit family.
But covering the incident, the media forgot the basics of journalism – to take the view of all parties. They relied on police version of the incident and published their stories. Here are a few.
Times of India screamed, “Affair sparks clash, 5 cops among 14 hurt.”
Reporter went on with his story, “The girl, who lives in a BKC slum along with her two sisters and mother, had a relationship with a boy living in the vicinity and planned to marry. However, members of her community had reservations and this led to tension between the two groups.”
Free Press Journal reported, “Cops state that the unrest was triggered after a blossoming love affair between a Dalit girl and a Muslim youth came to the fore.”
Mumbai Mirror reported, “Police say the cause of the clash was that two people, from different communities, were having an affair. When the girl’s parents found out, they assaulted the boy. Later, the boy brought a few friends along and retaliated, which led to an escalation of tension and violence.”
Indian Express reported, “The clashes occurred when members of one community objected to a girl’s alleged relationship with the boy of the other community.”
No reporter even bothered to talk to the family and report their quotes.
Thirty people including 5 policemen were injured in the clash erupted in the night of October 7, 2011.