By Ghulam Badiuddin, Urdu Times
Achalpur was an ideal abode of Hindu- Muslim unity in the past. Here both communities participated in all local social, cultural, political, civil and even religious events together. Both communities shared equally in marriages, education, agriculture, sale and purchase of goods, floods and epidemics and helped each other. Males and females of both communities shared in every happiness and tragedies jointly.
L.K. Advani’s ‘Rath Yatra’ that caused bloody riots of Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states and inflamed hatred everywhere but the brotherly relations between the two communities in Achalpur remained undisturbed. However, the incident of Monday night of October 22 changed the history of this city as well as damaged its geography. According to information, during Navratri of Durgadevi, many pandals played the controversial cassette continuously claiming that “Mandir will be constructed there only” and police did not take any action against it despite oral and written complaints. Peace loving youths of the locality presented a memorandum through a delegation to Thana in- charge Shiv Prasad Kodare. He did not take serious notice of the complaint. Instead, he detained the fasting youths in the police chowki from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and questioned them about their supporters in this matter. However, after intervention of local leaders they were let go. At the time of Eid ul-Fitr the City Qazi Syed Giyasuddin warned the police and state government not to destroy the peaceful atmosphere of the city.
At last the conspiracy of the communal elements succeeded as they along with goons from Khamgaon and Malkapur (nearby towns) started rioting after playing the controversial cassette and demolished and looted Muslim’s shops of the area. We are informed that the Baari Samaj of Khadki Darwaza for inviting the goons from Khamgaon and Malkapur and is mainly responsible for this riot which spread quickly to other parts of the city. Iqbal’s Paras Cycle Store, Jabir Kirana shop, shops of the mosque, Azad Electrical, Nagina Press, Qadir tailor’s shop and Shanoo electronics etc. were completely burnt down, leaving safely shops belonging to Hindus in between. Fire Brigade vehicle tires were knifed so that Muslim property would be destroyed completely. During this carnage, local police actively supported and abetted the rioters. Police also led the rioters to other parts of the city where they burnt down shops and houses of Muslims which caused huge financial losses to them. Local eyewitnesses reported that police itself ignited fire at Buddhe Khan Chowk and allowed the rioters to loot the shops of Sarafa (Gold Market). Famous shop of Sabir Paanwala was also burnt down. The burning of shops and houses continued till midnight and even today one could smell the smoke of burnt out of shops and houses.
After this carnage, police started playing its traditional villainous role of mass arrest of Muslim young and old alike. Muslim students, teachers, lawyers, government and non-government employees, senior male and female citizens were arrested from their homes, terrorizing women and children. Police looted ornaments and valuables from Muslim houses. This villainy and dacoity was a joint operation by police and rioters. Police has released the list of 171 people who were arrested and there were only 15 to 20 rioters of the majority community who were freed later on through to the influence of local MLA Bachhu Kadotay. On the fourth day of riots i.e. on Thursday October 25, curfew was relaxed for 3 to 4 hours which gave a chance to local Muslim families including old men, ladies and children to leave the city on foot to other peaceful cities and villages. This migration continues even today and about 60% Muslims have left the city so far. Some of them have taken shelter in fields and at river banks and they are more afraid of the police, rather than rioters. According to a source some 40 to 50 Hindu youth armed with lathi, swords, iron rods etc. were seen talking with the police. Meanwhile white police Van enters the spot carrying some police officers who conveniently avoided taking notice of the armed Hindus while leaving the spot taking salute of stationed police personnel. It is fallowed by a Black Van which also passes doing nothing. If they see any young Muslim there, they use vulgar and abusive language and order him to run away from the spot.
Naseem Siddiqui, chairman of Maharashtra Minority Commission was the first person to visit Achalpur. His visit slowed down arrests of one community and compelled the police to arrest culprits of other community. Muslim community is being accused for the conspiracy of riots which is very strange. Conspiracy is hatched by people who are wealthy living in posh houses, who control media which converts lies into truths, who hold offices in government and police and who have their like-minded persons holding power not the Muslims who own nothing of the above-mentioned clout. Muslims are suffering from poverty and financial problems and they have to toil for their bread and butter hence they have no time for rioting. Local people appeal the government to institute CBI inquiry of the rioters in order to prove that Maharashtra is not Gujarat.