By TCN News,
New Delhi: A delegation of social activists, citizens and academics on Monday met the National Minority Commission and drew attention towards the communally volatile situation in Delhi, which is developing in and around various re-settlement colonies across Delhi.
Pointing towards the recent spate of communal tension and violence in different areas and the rising sense of insecurity in the Muslim community of Delhi, the activists – in a detailed letter to the Minorities Commission – said: “At several instances, organized campaigns have been taken to spread hatred and create tension centring religious festivals.”
A scene from Trilokpuri where stone pelting between two communities continued for hours.
Trilokpuri riots is the latest instance of such violence, the letter said, adding, “Since November 1, we are getting news of communal tension simmering at Bawana. Several of us have communicated our concern regarding this to authorities concerned but would like to point out these concerns as well as our appeal for proper steps to be taken in that context,” activists Devendra Bharti, Dhruv Sangari, Kiran Shaheen, Mohd Aamir, Naveen Chander, Nayan Jyoti, Om Prasad, Onkar Mittal, Ovais Sultan Khan, Prof Apoorvanand, Rakhi Gupta, Shabnam Hashmi, Subhashini, Sucheta De and Viren Lobo among others said.
A copy of the letter was also marked to the Delhi Police Commission and to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
The activists noted how a Mahapanchayat was held in Bawana on the eve of Mohurram (on November 2) with a “clear intent to create communal tension” and “polarize communities on religious lines”. The Mahapanchayat didn’t have permission from any authority and the administration allowed it to happen in spite of several requests to stop it, they said.
“Threatening language was used in this Mahapanchayat and it was announced that Tazia procession during Mohurram should not be allowed to happen. (Because of this) the Muslim community in Bawana is under tremendous pressure and is feeling threatened,” the letter read further and alleged that “the leaders from the ruling party at the Centre are working in tandem with the organizers of the Mahapanchyat.”
Stating that there are reports of communal tension from Nandnagri, Majnu ka Tilla and Timarpur even as wounds of Trilokpuri are yet to be healed, the letter said: “In the context of Trilokpuri, the role of the police has raised several questions. Initially, the lack of action from the police emboldened the rioters to unleash violence. When the police acted, rather than arresting well known instigators of the riot, the police has arrested people and filed FIRs arbitrarily.”
The activists further stated that “most of the arrested people belong to the minority community” and that they have also reports of police brutality on the arrested people in Mayur Vihar police station. Those who are arrested are lodged in Tihar Jail and they came to know from the relatives of the arrested persons that several of them who are injured because of the police brutality in Mayur Vihar police station are not getting proper medical treatment.
“This is a request to you to ensure that all the arbitrary FIRs are cancelled, proper medical facility is given to those imprisoned in Tihar jail and action is initiated on those Police personals that are responsible for violence on arrested persons,” the activists demanded.
The letter also carried copies of the poster announcing the Mahapanchyat and recordings of speeches spreading communal hatred in Bawana.
Related:
Delhi’s Bawana communally charged up, tense after Mahapanchayt opposing Muharram procession