By Mumtaz Alam, IndiaTomorrow.net,
Patna / Jamshedpur, 22 July 2015: What happened in Jamshedpur city of Jharkhand on Tuesday resulting in curfew was indeed a communal clash as the bandh call given by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) turned violent – three-four roadside kiosks allegedly belonging to Muslims were torched and groups of both communities pelted stone on each other. But what happened on Sunday – next day of Eid – as the precursor of Tuesday incident is said to be a clash between two groups of Muslim youths over an alleged incident of eve-teasing of a Muslim girl. And it was not at all a communal incident.
How a Muslim-Muslim clash turned communal?
“It is a fact that eve-teasing of a girl happened at a fair held on the occasion of Eid (near Gandhi Maidan area of the city). Both Muslim and Hindu boys at the fair tried to stop it. It was not a communal issue in the beginning. Both the victim and the culprits were Muslims. But it was later given a communal colour and made an issue,” said Nayyaruzzaman, Bihar state president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while talking to IndiaTomorrow.net over phone.
A woman journalist based in Jamshedpur has also confirmed it.
“It occurred at the Eid fair near Gandhi Maidan. It was a small incident of passing comment on a girl. The two groups who clashed over the eve-teasing incident were Muslims. This happened around 8 pm in the night (19th July). One group had only Muslims but another group had both Muslims and Hindus – may be Hindu friends of some Muslim boys. They clashed, pelted stone on each other and also used firearms,” Amna Ali, a scribe working for Dainik Bhaskar Hindi daily told IndiaTomorrow.net from Jamshedpur. The incident occurred at stone’s throw from her house.
Second day of curfew in Jamshedpur of Jharkhand on 22 July 2015.
When asked about the reason for the bandh call given by VHP on Tuesday, Amna Ali said: “I talked to Arun Singh, Jamshedpur president of VHP. He said he had no complaint with any one. He was complaining that why an internal matter was fought on the road. They (Muslims) clashed with and pelted stone on each other and in the stone pelting, a Hanuman temple was also damaged.”
However, Jamaat leader Nayyaruzzaman said “it is not confirmed if stone fell on the temple when the two groups of Muslims clashed with each other. But some people from the other community came up and made it an issue. VHP called a bandh on Tuesday during which some shops of Muslims were ransacked. Some Muslims had not closed their roadside shops which were put on fire.”
Communal clashes before elections
Communal clashes happen so frequently ahead of elections that people see political hands behind them.
The Jamshedpur incident has occurred when Assembly elections in Bihar are round the corner.
“The incident has a clear political meaning. For a long time, the atmosphere of Jamshedpur has been very good. Both communities were living peacefully. Now it is not that riot would occur only where elections are to take place. Jamshedpur violence (though in Jharkhand) can leave impact on Bihar also. This takes place in a planned way,” said Nayyaruzzaman.
Zafar Imam, a community leader in Ranchi said the Jamshedpur incident “could have something to do with Bihar elections also.” However, he said the administration has taken the issue very seriously. Without any delay curfew was imposed. The chief minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das comes from Jamshedpur and that’s why the administration is very tight.
Patna-based political commentator Arshad Ajmal says both secular and communal parties would like to use the incident for their benefits.
“Instead of grand riots, now they (communal forces) plan small riots and clashes which are executed locally – so deep has hatred entered in our society, and ultimately this helps political forces. Both secular and communal parties would like to take benefit out of it. While secular parties would make it an issue BJP would use it with ulterior motive,” said Ajmal.
Security personnel man the stone strewn raod of Jamshedpur where a VHP demonstration against eve teasing turned violent on July 21, 2015 (Photo – IANS)
Ajmal also sees some connection between the Jamshedpur incident and the upcoming rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Muzaffarpur.
“PM Modi’s rally is going to be held in Muzaffarpur (Bihar) on 25th July. Jamshedpur has a good number of Bihari migrants, and a flare-up here will certainly spill over there.”
Stop rumour mongering
During and after any communal clash in India, rumours are spread by anti-social elements. The Jamshedpur administration has warned rumour mongers on social media of strict action.
“The DIG probing the incident (following the institution of a panel by Jharkhand chief minister) has warned rumour mongers on social media platforms,” said Amna Ali.
Faisal Anurag, a senior journalist based in Ranchi also posted a message on his facebook page urging all to keep from rumours as the city of Jamshedpur had witnessed bloody communal riot over three decades ago.
“Keep from rumours. Please maintain peace. The pain of 1979 riot is still haunting us. I make this appeal to all residents of Jamshedpur,” wrote Anurag.
Current situation on Wednesday noon
Curfew has been relaxed for five hours in some areas of the city; it will be reimposed in the night. No untoward incident has been reported since last night. In the last 24 hours, 103 people have been detained by the police. The administration has ensured that travelers and patients could safely reach stations / hospitals.
(Credit for Photos – Amna Ali)
