MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

Ahmedabad, May 11: Friday night's violence at Rani-no-Haziro area of Ahmedabad has shattered the trust
between Hindus and Muslims in the area. Hindu shopkeepers have been conducting business peacefully
among the Muslim residents of the area for years, but the violence has filled people of both communities
with fear. Despite the violence, Mazid, 48, a flower vendor in the area said, "How can we destroy Hindu
business establishments. Although we are Muslims, we do business with the Hindus by selling items of
used in Hindu rituals. So loss to them would affect our bread and butter. (Asian Age 12.5.02)
13 th May
Ahmedabad mobs defy curfew, go on shop-burning blitz (7)
AHMEDABAD AND BARODA: MaY 12: Violence in Gujarat showned no sign of abating on the 75th day
oh Sunday as one person was stabbed to death and at least 20 persons were injured, including two in
police firing, in Ahmedabad, Other parts of Gujarat, however, remained incident free. In Ahmedabad,
rioting mobs kept the police personnel on their toes in curfew-bound areas as incidents were reported
from Mahinagar, Behrampura, Jatmlpur and Gaekwad Hayeli. Petrol and crude bomb blasts were reported
from some parts of Ahmedabad and police and paramilitary personnel had to open fire to disperse rioting
-mobs that defied curfew. (Asian Age 13.5.02)
13 th May
BJP plans Godhra rally to demand release of Hindus (7)
Baroda, May 12: A massive rally has been organised in Godhra by the BJP on May 17 and an agitation will
be launched by BJP Chhota Udepur 'taluka panchayat president Shankar Rathwa from Tuesday in
support of their demand to release BJP workers and Hindus arrested under various offences. As a
precursor to the rally, which the BJP hopes will draw a crowd of over one lakh people, Mr Rathwa and
Chhota Udepur BJP unit member Ashwin Patel will begin a hunger fast on Tuesday. BJP leaders have
threatened that if the police does not release Hindus, they will forcibly remove them from the police
custody. (Asian Age 13.5.02)
13th May
Muslims forced to convert withdraw FIRs in Gujarat (7)
New Delhi, May 12: The CPI(M) has alleged that Muslims living in relief camps in Gujarat are being forced
to change their religion and withdraw the FIRs filed by them against the rioters if they want a safe return to
their homes. As the inmates of the relief camps, living in inhuman conditions with epidemics and diseases
spreading leave in search of their destroyed homes, they are being waylaid and killed. Those who have
braved to reach what were once their homes are being threatened in various ways. Some are being told
that they cannot live in their homes unless they convert their religion. Some others are being threatened
that they cannot live in their homes unless they withdraw the FIRs and complaints that they had filed.
(Asian Age 13.5.02)
13 th May
Riots exodus spawns terror fears (7)
New Delhi, May 12: The National Commission for Minorities fears that the refusal of riot- hit Muslim
victims of Gujarat to return home could create a disturbing situation akin to Jammu and Kashmir and
sp[ur terrorism in the state. Sources said the commission was concerned that about one lakh riot victims
fearing attacks from Hindu hardliners were unwilling to return home and preferred to stay where their
co-religionists outnumbered Hindus. (Telegraph 13.5.02)
13 th May
Gill threatens to crack whip over guilty (7)
AHMEDABAD: May 12. — Mr Narendra Modi's rity adviser today directed Gujarat police s "not to spare
the guilty" involved in rioting asked them to file "regular reports" on the progress of cases. Terming the
meeting of senior police and intelliogence officers as "highly fruitful sources in Mr KPS Gill’s office said
the supercop had "the law should take its course and culprits arrested… prosecution should be pursued
at the top level. (Statesman 13.5.02)
13th May