In the three days at the end of February, when New Delhi’s north eastern district was convulsed with violence, there were pitched street ba...
In the three days at the end of February, when New Delhi’s north eastern district was convulsed with violence, there were pitched street battles between supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its Hindu majoritarian ideology, and small groups of Muslims residents. Fifty three people were killed, both Hindu and Muslim, and over 300 injured. As has been extensively reported, both at the main sites of these clashes,and inside the area’s densely packed narrow alleys ,scores of Muslim homes and businesses were systematically identified, looted and burnt.There is no question that businesses of non-Muslims and a few homes were damaged or burnt, but their numbers pale in comparison.
Across the 10 sq km that saw the violence, a pattern emerges. The most vicious attacks were in areas where the number of Muslim homes and businesses was relatively small. It goes without saying that it would need treacherous neighbours or local political party workers familiar with the electoral roll to point out Muslim properties. In these very neighbourhoods, there are many stories of Hindus and Muslims stopping the violence by barricading their alleys and organising joint volunteer patrols, or of Hindus sheltering Muslims or helping them escape. It is clear that had...
