Masihuzzama Ansari | India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—Nazish shudders with fear when she recalls the day her husband Jamaluddin was hacked to death at Shiv Vihar in North-East Delhi. Flashback of the riots always plays in her mind and she tightly hugs her kids as tears roll down her cheeks.
Jamal and his family had gone to Farrukhabad to attend a wedding when they came to know that communal riots have broken out in Shiv Vihar. When they were told that the situation has come under control, he along with his brother Nizamuddin decided to return home.
Luck, however, had other things in store for them. When they entered the lane leading to their home, a group of rioters stopped them and asked their name. When they came to know that they were Muslims, they started thrashing them mercilessly. Both brothers suffered serious wounds and were shifted to hospital.
Five days after Jamal succumbed to his injuries. His brother suffered fractures in both his arms. Nizam was operated upon and rods were implanted in his arms and as a result, he is unable to work again.
“On 27 February 2020, when we were told that riots have subsided, we came to Shiv Vihar. However, rioters caught us and started thrashing. They first asked our name. When they found that we are Muslims, they attacked us brutally,” said Nizam.
A local resident pleading anonymity said they know many of the rioters but cannot name them because of the fear. “We know many people who supported rioters on that day. We cannot name them because we have to live in this locality,” he said.
Jamal’s wife Nazish said they came to know about the riots when they were attending the wedding at Farrukhabad. “On February 27, we came to know that my husband was admitted in GTB hospital. I could not talk to him because he was seriously injured. On March 3, he died,” she said.
Nazish said if the government would have desired they could have controlled the riots on day one. She alleged that the government allowed the bloodbath for three days.
“Who will punish the culprits? The culprits are sitting in the government. We got compensation, but are worried about the education and future of our children,” she said.
Delhi Minorities Commission, in its fact-finding report, blamed BJP leaders for instigating riots. The report underlined the provocative speeches made by BJP leaders in a run-up to riots. The report said that the riots were organized and Muslims were targeted with purpose.
The report noted that due to anti-CAA protests, there was a lot of pressure on the government. It said BJP leaders wanted to evict the protesters and ultimately riots were used as a medium.
