Asghar Ali Engineer

(Secular Perspective September 1-15, 2010)

I have before me the PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties) Report on Communal violence in Sarada Village, Udaipur after a murder of a Meena tribal which was purely of a criminal nature. The PUCL team consisted of senior advocate Ramesh Nandwana, Vinita Srivastav, a lawyer, Arun Vyas, Shyam Lal Dogra, Shri Ram Arya, Hemlata, Rajesh Singh and Rashid. Sarada village had witnessed communal incidents a couple of years ago also.

According to the Report, on 2nd July, one Shehzad Khan and two of his associates murdered Mohan Meena, who was dealing with illegal alcoholic substances during a fight while drinking the said substance. Subsequent to this the Adivasis began setting Muslim shops on fire from 3rd to 5th July. These Muslims had nothing to do with the murder. And on 18th July Amrut Lal Meena, a local BJP leader from and resident of Boripal and others of his colleagues said that their major goal was destruction of Muslim families.

On 14th July, SDM and Dy. SP held a meeting with both sides and discussed the problem. The Adivasis who were all members of Bajrang Dal and members of Hindutva groups, according to PUCL Report, stated that the goal of (destruction of Muslims) could be abandoned only if all the three accused in the murder of Mohanlal Meena are ostracized by Muslims and it be declared in newspapers. Though such a demand had no legality and law had to take its course to get the guilty punished, Muslims, in the interest of peace accepted the demand and ostracized the three accused and notified the Tehsildar of Sarada and published in Dainik Bhaskar, a daily from Udaipur.

However, PUCL Report says, the Adivasi leaders, instigated by Hindutva organizations, went back on their word and on 18th July began to distribute pamphlets for ‘continuation of their war against Muslim families.’ PUCL also gathered enough evidence that between 18th and 24th July weapons were distributed to Adivasis in the area by different associations. On the night of 24th July 2010, in villages of Pal Sarada, Pal Saipur etc., Dhanraj Meena, a retired teacher, Kalu Shankar Meena, Assistant Secretary to Panchayat and others, some of them teachers, distributed arms.

The Muslims of Sarada came to know of the meeting and distribution of arms and informed the higher officials and local leaders (police and district administration also must have been aware of all this) and requested for increase in security forces. Then Adivasis gathered on 25th at 4 p.m. near a student hostel, were instigated and began attacking Muslim shops and houses, one of which was of retired principal Ahmed Husain who was also injured in stone pelting. The rumour was spread that a Muslim fired which, however, was later found to be by police.

Though Adivasis were beating drums and gathering and instigating fellow Adivasis to attack Muslims but authorities did nothing. The Advasis kept attacking Muslim colonies. The police fearing for ‘Muslim safety’ brought them to police station. In their absence Adivasis looted their houses and set afire, in all 70 in number. What is shocking is that not only district administration was aware of all this and yet did not take any step but more shocking, according to the PUCL Report is that all this happened in the very presence of DM, SP and other senior officers. While Adivasis were burning and looting Muslim houses these highest district officials were watching in silence and all this happened right in their presence.

What is more shocking is that no action has so far been taken by Home Minister or Chief Minister. At my request a high level delegation of Muslims led by Prof. Mohammad Hasan, Prof. Salim Engineer and others along with two victims of the riot met CM and requested him to suspend these district officers in whose presence 70 Muslim houses were looted and burnt, CM said he will ask district commissioner to hold an inquiry.

There is Congress Government in Rajasthan and Muslims had massively voted for the Congress as they had seen communalization of Rajasthan during the BJP rule and post-Gujarat the Congress Government is drafting the much awaited communal violence bill to prevent Gujarat like incidents in future. Also, along with district officials one Congress MLA, herself a Meena, was also present at the scene of this mayhem.

Is really Congress Government serious about preventing communal incidents in Rajasthan and other states? The way district officials behaved and remained mute spectators to such major incident raises several questions. Was Chief Minister aware of this whole incident? If not why concerned officers failed to inform him? Or if he was aware why no action was taken? It may have happened in a smaller place yet the incident was of grave proportions.

How the police behaviour in a Congress ruled state different from what happened in Gujarat where too police was actively involved in helping the rioters. The only difference perhaps is that in Gujarat even things happened with Government’s tacit approval. In Rajasthan of course this was not the case but the CM should have been more alert and determined to act against guilty officials.

I need not stress here that if government does not want, no riot or major communal incident can take place. Bihar and West Bengal are the best examples. When Lalu Prasad came to power with the help of Muslim and Yadav votes he prevented communal riots effectively by simply warning the police that if effective steps were not taken to control communal violence within 24 hours, they will be suspended. He also warned Yadavs, if they want power they should refrain from indulging in communal clashes.

Bihar thereafter never witnessed major communal violence in last 15 years during the Lalu regime and similarly Nitish Kumar, in order to wean Muslim votes from Lalu saw to it no riot takes place and by and large during his regime too, Bihar remained riot-free, Not only that, in order to attract Muslim votes, Nitish also saw to it that the culprits of Bhagalpur riots get punished which Lalu did not as most of them were Yadavs.

Similarly, West Bengal too was a communal tinder box and when the Left Front came to power it issued a circular that any police office who fails to control outbreak of communal violence in 24 hours will stand suspended and throughout 25 years of Left Front Government no major outbreak of communal violence took place except once in Murshidabad which was controlled in time.

Thus it would be seen that much depends on the will of the Government. It is regrettable that prompt action is not forthcoming against the guilty officials of Udaipur district in whose presence Muslim houses were burnt and looted. Rajasthan was ruled by the BJP for two terms and as a result bureaucracy and police have been communalized. During BJP rule in non-IAS and non-IPS cadre recruited through state cadre are mostly from RSS background including school and college teachers.

This plays havoc with state administration and also, RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal like BJP front organizations spread very fast and acquire new strength. RSS, as all of us know, has been very active in tribal areas and it is not for nothing that those who attacked Muslim houses and looted are all from Hindutva background as highlighted by the PUCL Report.

The CM who has secular image should be quite aware of these facts and should send right signals to all his district officials that communal behaviour will not be tolerated. As the Congress has come to power after with secular image after several years of BJP misrule it should take vigorous steps to de-communalise the state administration. Yet, one does not see such vigour.

I am told that Muslims in Jaipur have decided to boycott CM’s Iftar party unless prompt action is taken against the guilty officials in Sarada Tehsil. In fact they have decided to boycott Iftar party by any Congressman. This is right decision. Muslim intelligentsia should play more vigorous role in maintaining communal harmony and peace and compel the government to take prompt action against guilty officials.

The CM should cleanse, at least, sensitive districts of communal officials and watch their performance and also offer incentives to secular and proactive officials who promote communal harmony and peace. If the DM and SP are suspended immediately pending inquiry it will send right signals to other officers and failure to do that will encourage officers with communal background and would render Rajasthan another Gujarat. That is precisely what the BJP wants. It has already created communal infra-structure during its two terms before.

Even now it is not too late for the CM to act to salvage his image and to boost the secular image of the Congress. Unfortunately Congress, my forty years of engagement with communal forces have shown, has not been strong in its commitment to secular action as in words. It is high time it shows its commitment in action as well. Mandal parties like Janta Dal, RJD and others have shown commitment in both.
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Centre for Study of Society and Secularism
www.csss-isla.com

A sudden devastating Flood situation has been continuing in the district of Nagaon, Assam, India for last 3 days. In the month of Holy Ramadan, the Muslim people are in terrible situation due to the devastating flood especially in the Hojai Sub-Division.

The river embankment suddenly broke down causing sudden flood which has created immeasurable loss to the people in the Hojai Sub-Division. 2 Million people have been affected so far, and the numbers are growing. The victims are sheltered in temporary camps and have been provided with relief materials which will exhaust soon. The victims are in crying need of relief. Most victims are poor Muslim farmers who have already gone through a lot and are now in a critical situation since it is Ramadan and they have nothing for suhoor nor iftar.

To provide emergency relief to the victims the following items are urgently needed:

Emergency Relief during Flood period
Grocery Items such as Rice, Dry flat rice (Cheera), lentils, Grams, Cooking oils, Salt, baby food, clothing, packaged water and other food items etc.

Post Flood Relief for re-settlement & Healthcare

o Construction of temporary shelter with Bamboo, G.C Sheets, Tarp, G.I. wires as well bedding materials and utensils.

o Supply of safe drinking water, installation of Tube Well/Ring wells for providing safe drinking water.

o Holding of Medical camps for awareness and supply of medicines and other relevant subsidiaries to prevent post flood epidemics as well water borne diseases.

We would humbly pray and appeal you to kindly extend your helping hands and due support to serve the worst affected flood victims of Assam.

Make your donations today so our brothers and sisters in Assam can have relief, especially during this month of Ramadan. May Allah (swt) reward you for your generosity.

IMRC wishes everyone Ramdaan Karim.

Click here to download Zakat Flyer

Click here to download Ramdaan Flyer

A few villagers got together in 1952 and started a small madarsa to teach basics of Islam to children. Today it has grown into a well managed 6-room school with 240 boys and girls. 30 of them live on premises.

This school makes sure Muslim children from Ryam and surrounding villages know the basics of Islam. A successful program in place prepares Imams and teachers to go out and teach to children in remote villages. Also, the students are prepared for today’s employment opportunities.

Courses range from basics of Islam to hifz, arabic, theology and dawah. Children also learn mathematics and also learn how to read and write in english.

The school provides free education, boarding and has been trying to meet these expenses through local donations.

The whole village gives its Zakatul fitr to the School. Surrounding households also donate food grain every week to keep up with the growing population of teachers and students in the hostel of this madrasa. On Eid-al-adh’ha the skins of all slaughtered animals are donated to the School, which is the biggest available source of income.

Students from surrounding villages as well come to this school for their basic educational needs, as there is nothing close by. Government run public schools are in bad state of affairs, with government doing little to improve the situation.

The school has some urgent needs. Please see if you can help. It is a sadaqa jaariya.
They are running out of space. They need to build 4 classrooms and a hostel with 2 rooms.

You can construct one classroom for $1550 and one hostel room for $1550.

The library lacks proper books. Help us stock the entire library with $200.

We are looking for your support. Jazakallahukhairan. Please Donate Online. Write ‘Bihar School’ In the memo.

Education
‘One teacher schools’ in underdeveloped villages of coastal Andhra. These schools would serve a multipurpose role as centres for secular and spiritual education as well as social activity. Four school buildings are almost completed, while three more are expected to be ready soon. We have earmarked two more sites and expect to begin construction there soon.

In addition to the school building and appointed teacher, villagers could also benefit from access to a basic library. We are setting up libraries in the one teacher schools, and as of now have established them in 5 villages.

We have also appointed 18 teachers in these and other villages where schools were built but were defunct due to lack of a teacher. We provide training to these teachers before they take charge of the village schools. All teachers attend the monthly training camp where they undergo refresher courses, and also provide a monthly report of their activities, so that we can monitor the progress. Working very hard to educate the villagers about the importance of education and the need for teachers. As a result, many villagers are now convinced about the need for them to participate in contributing to teacher salaries. We expect the locals in some villages to contribute one-third of teacher salaries. More important than their monetary contribution will be the resulting sense of involvement of the local villagers in these projects.

Micro-Finance
We are in the process of conducting detailed surveys to identify the demographics, occupations, unemployment, incomes, savings, educational levels, availability of credit, market forces, etc. Once the survey is completed, we will study and analyze this data to plan effective projects that can provide economic development of the region and its people. At the same time, we are looking at government schemes and the experiences of other NGOs and micro finance institutions, in order to formulate effective and efficient schemes for micro finance and economic development.

This year IMRC has successfully implemented a program of 1.2 million meals for Ramadan and has setup a massive food distribution program for the flood victims in Bihar and Assam. Also during the 2008 Ramadan season IMRC has distributed 38,000 outfits of clothing and remitted more than $480,000.

Ramadan is a special month for worship, fasting and giving. As we all know, it is through fasting that the servant of Allah is better able to understand the plight and trial of the hungry throughout the world. Every year, IMRC tries to support needy families in India during Ramadan, thanks to your Zakat, Fitra and other generous donations.

IMRC arranges community iftars in poor neighborhoods through its ‘Feed the Poor’ program.

And through ‘Eid Package’ program you can give a month’s grains and groceries for families so they can fast and cook proper suhoor and iftar. The Eid package generally consists of rice, wheat flour, cooking oil, onions and lentils (dal). Each Eid Package costs $30. In some cases, Eid clothes are included as well. Plans are in place to distribute 4000 packages.

Their destitute state made me realize how many opportunities I take for granted and made me appreciate everything Allah (swt) has given me. It was by far a humbling experience because you see the difference between the luxuries of home and bare necessities in India.

Being able to interact and fully participate with the local organizations really helped me meet a lot of amazing young individuals who had a genuine enthusiasm for making a change. Also seeing the smiling faces and high spirits, especially of the girls at the Zohra orphanage gave me hope that they can rise above all the adversities they have faced and will come to face in life.

Personally, going abroad not only changed my perspective on the world, but also gave me confidence. I now feel that I have been exposed to so many different situations, I can go ahead on my own and find a project I would like to dedicate myself to, whether it may be teaching children English or providing aid in medical clinics. For me, the experience was not just a volunteer experience but an opportunity of a lifetime that I will cherish forever.

Amina Moheyuddin
Summer Volunteer Program 2008

The meals prepared at these centres would be distributed by the Corporation authorities at select centres.These centres will be determined based on the need.Meals will also be provided free of cost to the patients of these two hospitals. Health Minister P K Sreemathi who visited Kozhikode on Monday held discussions with the Corporation authorities to give a final shape to the programme.Kozhikode has been selected as a pilot project under this scheme. If it succeeds, it would be extended to other parts of the state. Earlier, the Social Welfare Department had planned to provide meals for Rs 2. But the Corporation authorities took up the initiative to provide it absolutely free of cost with the support of NGOs. This would be a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.The social security mission was set up to carry out special projects for the protection of the elderly, care of children affected by cancer and improvement of institutions for the care of the weak.It will also undertake training of organisations for social service. Besides, it would be involved in research and data collection on social issues.

The first project of the mission was to provide free cancer treatment for children below 18 years, which was launched recently. The hunger-free city is the second project being undertaken by the mission.The mission has a corpus of Rs 65 crore and will strive to revamp institutions under the Social Welfare Department to make them more useful to the weaker sections, create facilities for distribution of free food to the poor undergoing treatment in the Government hospitals and rehabilitate destitute patients discharged from hospital.