By TCN Staff Reporter,
Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on August 24 ordered an inquiry into last month’s violence in Sarada town of Udaipur district, which rendered hundreds of Muslim villagers homeless. Divisional Commissioner of Udaipur, will conduct the inquiry and submit the report in 15 days. The CM took action two days after Muslim community leaders met him on the issue.
A high-level delegation of Rajasthan Muslim Forum led by Rajasthan Jamaat-e-Islami president Er Mohd Saleem met the CM on August 22 and demanded judicial enquiry into the Sangh Parivar-instigated riot and proper compensation to the affected people.
JIH Rajasthan President Er. Md Saleem addressing the demonstrators
The inquiry will also look into the damages caused to the houses and shops and provide its observations on it. The community leaders had pointed out that the compensation announced for the damages has not been adequate. The state Congress government had earlier announced a compensation of over Rs.11 lakh to those whose houses and shops were burnt during the conflict between Bhil tribals and Muslims.
The violence took place in Sarada town on July 26 as the aftermath of a murder of a tribal youth, Mohan Meena, by a member of the other community on July 2. In fact, according to PUCL fact-finding team, soon after the murder, some groups attached to Sangh Parivar provoked the tribal community which looted and burned Muslim shops and homes. The Muslim families had to flee to Udaipur and take shelter in a mosque there.
Talking to TCN, Er Mohd Saleem gave details of his meeting with CM. He said his delegation demanded full-fledged enquiry into the violence, proper evaluation of the actual losses and compensation to the victims. The Rajasthan Muslim Forum delegation urged the CM that those responsible for the violence must be brought to book. Er Saleem said the CM was apologetic and sorry for the incident. He assured them of action.
Reacting to the probe order, Er Saleem said: “We welcome the step but let’s see what comes out after this enquiry. Let’s see if the findings of the enquiry are implemented. We are looking forward what concrete actions are taken.”
He specifically mentioned that there was no history of communal violence in that area as such. It’s only after the provocation of RSS affiliated organization to use the murder of an Adivasi youth by a Muslim criminal that the tribals were incited for communal violence. He further said some confidence building measures are being organised by the government and the civil society in that area.
Links to TCN stories on Udaipur riot:
Udaipur riot: Muslim groups demand Home Minister’s exit
70 Muslim homes looted, burned in Udaipur, police watched on
(With inputs from Mohd Ali of TwoCircles.net in New Delhi)