Delhi State Minorities Commission (DSMC) has been given a letter regarding Trilokpuri communal violence by a delegation consisting Kamal Faruqui, APCR’s Abubakr Sabbaq & Kashif Ahmed Faraz, and social activist Azeem Naved. The delegation also visited various areas affected by recent communal violence. It is seeking enquiry and action in Trilokpuri (New Delhi) communal riots. Reproduced below is their letter to DSMC. – Editor
Respected Sir,
It has come to our notice through different news reports published in the media between 25 and 28 Oct 2014 and along with our affected areas visit that communal riots took place in Trilokpuri.
We visited riot affected block and talked to many people and it seemed clear that a deep hatred based on rumours and stereotypes had been generated in the Hindu residents through some well-oiled propaganda machine.
People said things like “Muslims urinated near the matakichowki, they throw meat at our pooja, they harass our women etc etc”. Local residents confirmed that the cycle of violence escalated after the local BJP leader and former MLA Sunil Kumar.
Vaidya’s provocative speech where he called for a temple to be built at the spot of mata ki chowki adjoined to Shan E Ilahi Masjid. The proposed Mandir is to be built on the govt. land which was earlier a public toilet but now local people were using for parking.
Though the rumour mill was working but the police intelligence failed to take note of it. The police didn’t act initially when two-sided stone pelting happened but when it sprung into action, it crushed only Page 1 of 3Page 2 of 3one side – male police beating up Muslim women, random Muslim youths picked up and brutally beaten by police in police station Mayur Vihar phase-1.
Sir, this is to bring into your kind attention that many young men are being illegally detained for long periods, and political representatives of one segment of the young men are being permitted to enter the police stations, whereas other lawyers and senior activists are not being permitted to enter the police stations.
Rightly or wrongly, this has created an impression of communal and political bias and a lack of fairness. This is not conducive to restoring peace in the area.
We, therefore, demand:
• That the local police are firmly instructed to function in ways that are transparent, bipartisan and fair.
• That list of all person, their religious identity, sex, age and section under which they are arrested be provided to us.
• That all persons who are detained in connection with the violence are presented before a magistrate, and due and fair process of law not only followed but seen to be followed by all affected people.
• That medical tests should be done of all injured persons
• That family members and lawyers are permitted to meet the detained persons.
Sir, we hope that Delhi Minorities Commission which is constituted to safeguard the rights of the minorities will take appropriate action against the injustice being done to the minority community.
Sir, to apprise you about the extreme seriousness and sensitive nature of the situation in which the citizens belonging to the minority community are being targeted continuously by hatred politics and conspiracies, please take the above stated case into your serious consideration and conduct an inquiry to unearth the truth behind these malicious tactics for political gain, and kindly take legal actions to prosecute the real culprits behind this conspiracy of communal riots.
We would like to submit the overwhelming evidence that we have against the systematic oppression of minority community living in this area. The media reports will be produced at the time of presentation by the appellants.
Thanks,
Kamal Faruqui, General Secretary
Advt. Abu Bakr Sabbaq
Azeem Naved
Kashif Ahmad Faraz
