MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

(Times of India 16.3.02)
16 th March
Demand to shift riot victims to safer site (7)
AHMEDABAD: National Commission for Minorities (NCM)chairman Justice Moham-mad Shamim (retd)
has asked the state government to shift the riot-hit victims from the relief camps to a site where they could
feel collectively safe. Speaking to victims at the Shah-e- Alam camp here on Thursday evening, he said: "I
have recommended to the state government to give land to these victims so that they can create a new
settlement and get a sense of security." Justice Shamim's recommendation comes at a time when most
people living in the various camps in the city have refused to go back to their original homes. They
gathered around the NCM chairman and asked him to urge the government into allocating the land as
soon as possible (Times of India 16.3.02)
17 th March
Five die in Gujarat riots (7)
Ahmedabad, March 16: FIVE PEOPLE were killed in fresh violence in Gujarat overnight, hours after the
Vishwa Hindu Parishad's' shila daan ceremony at Ayodhya. At-least 13 people were injured. Curfew has
been clamped on several towns across the state. . A man was stabbed to death on Saturday afternoon in
Johapura, a Muslim-dominated suburb of the city. Another was killed allegedly in police firing some time
after midnight in Dudheswar. Police said the man had been shot by a group of people riding a large
vehicle after rival groups pelted each other with stones. A 65-year-old died in police custody, apparently
after a heart attack. He had been handed over to police by the army after being picked up for defying
prohibitory orders. (Hindustan Times 17.3.02)
18th March
Hindu goodwill key to Muslims’ safety: RSS (7)
Cheennenahalli: THE RSS on Sunday passed a resolution that warns Muslims their safety lay in the
goodwill of the majority. It also justifies the post-Godhra violence as "natural and spontaneous". The
resolution called 'Godhra and After', passed at Chennenahalli by the all-India general council of the
RSS after a three-day meeting, says, "Let the Muslims understand their real safety lies in the goodwill of
the majority." Discussing the statement, RSS joint general secretary Madan Das Devi said, "Hindus^
live and let live. This does not mean Hindus can tolerate insults. They (Muslims) are safe if they win our
goodwill... Respect • us and we will respect you." Pressed to explain what that really implied, Devi said,
"Any killing is unjustifiable but at the same time there will be reaction to any action." The resolution
condemns the Godhra massacre but justifies the violence that followed as "natural and spontaneous". "It
is unfortunate that a number of people died in the violence that erupted. (HT 18.3.02)
18 th March
Vadodara simmers, 4 killed in violence (7)
VADODARA, MARCH 17: TWO persons were stabbed to death in Vadodara and two killed in police firing
as violence erupted afresh in parts of Gujarat today. Police opened fire and burst several teargas shells to
disperse a mob indulging in stabbing, arson and stone throwing in Danflimda police station area of the
walled city of Ahmedabad. Three persons, including a Home Guaid received stab injuries and some shops
were set on fire by mob. Curfew was imposed in the area. (Indian Exp 18.3.02)
18 th March
Mob destroys 2 mosques in Haryana (7)
Chandigarh, March 17: In Haryana, a violent mob of Hindu hard liners destroyed two mosques and set
fire to a number of shops and houses in the town of Loharu early on Sunday morning. According to state
officials, the trouble started early in the day when local Hindus began collecting in response to rumours
that a cow had been slaughtered by a Muslim family.
Though subsequent police investigations failed to confirm the rumours, the enraged mob is said to have
gone on a virtual rampage destroying two mosques near the railway station and the Purana Bazaar area.
They also set fire to several homes and shops owned by local Muslims. (Asian Age 18.3.02)