By TwoCircles.net Staff reporter,
Washim (Maharashtra): Even after persuasive run from pillar to post by the family of a murdered youth during a communal violence ignited in July under the pretence of ‘Love Jihad’ at Karanja town in Washim district, the Maharashtra government has not declared any compensation.
Karanja witnessed communal tension on July 13 following the marriage of a youth belonging to a minority community with a girl from another community that resulted into the death of youth, identified as 35-year-old Shujaoddin, and injuries to many others apart from damage to public property.
Shujaoddin was totally disconnected from the groups involved in the violence but was murdered by enraged Hindu mob while he was walking down the street to his home. He is survived by widowed wife and three daughters. The family was entirely dependent on Shujaoddin who used to do labour work alongside farming.
Even after three months of the riots that had forced the town to remain under curfew for a week, the government is mum on the question of grant of compensation to the poor family that has lost its only bread winner.
When questioned about delay in announcement of compensation, Washim District collector D. Chaturvedi got angry and bursted at the TwoCircles.net Reporter. After yelling and scolding at the TwoCircles.net Scribe, he said, ”I am not a politician who will promise for any compensation or so. I’m a guy from administration,” adding, “The victim was not killed in riot,” suggesting his family does not qualify for the compensation meant for riot victims.
As per Chaturvedi, riots erupted after the death of Shujaoddin and hence his murder cannot be considered as fallout of riots. This claim is in complete contrast with police investigation and how local media widely reported the incidence.
However, upset with the way he harshly talked with TwoCircles.net, he later called back to apologize for being rude and put forward another version to the question of compensation. This time, he gave a totally different version.
Chaturvedi said, “No one was killed during the riot except victim. We have processed the files for compensation for a total of 11 people. 10 of which are those, whose shops have been destroyed during riots. And remaining one is the victim. We have put a very positive recommendation for compensations and are hopeful.”
Yusuf Bhai, a social activist from Karanja who is helping the family in reaching out to the government to get compensation believes that government is reluctant in awarding compensation to the victims’ family.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net he said, “Shujaoddin was killed as the atmosphere in town turned communal when right wing organizations termed marriage of another guy from minority community with the girl of another community as ‘Love Jihad’. He was killed because police failed to maintain law and order, how come administration claim that his killing is not linked with riots?”
The family of Shujaoddin is left with no responsible person in the family and is now completely dependent upon relatives. Soon after the riots Islamic organizations Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind had extended help to this family and other victims of the riots.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net, Zakir Shaikh, a relative of Shujaoddin said, “No one from government ever visited us to condole except minority commission chief who also came only once and assured help, but has not followed it up.”
He added, “Some Muslim organizations helped us initially but for how long can they also help, we have lost our brother who was carrying the responsibilities. Nothing can now replace our loss”.
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