Fact-finding
by
a Women's Panel
Syeda Hameed, Muslim Women?s Forum, Delhi
Ruth Manorama, National Alliance of Women, Bangalore
Malini Ghose, Nirantar, Delhi
Sheba George, Sahrwaru, Ahmedabad
Farah Naqvi, Independent Journalist, Delhi
Mari Thekaekara, Accord, Tamil Nadu

Sponsored by
Citizen?s Initiative, Ahmedabad [India]

April 16, 2002  

     In testimony after testimony, people identified by name members of the Bajrang Dal
     and Vishwa Hindu Parishad involved in inciting and committing violence. The
     fact-finding team spoke with women activists and victims in the camps about their
     views on the growing polarization between the Hindu and Muslim communities. Both
     sets of people linked it to the aggressive agenda of the Sangh Parivar - particularly the
     Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and, in some cases, the Shiv Sena. In the rural
     context, women directly linked a rise in tension with the establishment of local units of
     the Bajrang Dal and the VHP. They spoke of meetings organized by these groups, and
     the arms they distributed at these meetings. Many believe that the tension has really
     escalated in the last six months. For instance Jayanti Ravi, Collector Panchmahals
     confirmed that in October - November 2001, (near the time of Navratri), there had
     been tension in the area. Around that time several activities like Ramdhun and trishul
     distribution programme had been organized. Women activists have been directly
     threatened by these organizations.
 

     Accounts of Women Activists

     Sahiyar Stree Sangathan, Vadodara

     Activists from the Sangathan told the fact-finding team about the pattern of
     indoctrination by the Sangh Parivar. Whenever they find that an area is relatively
     peaceful, they begin organizing meetings to instigate the residents. They make a practice
     of sending bangles wrapped in red cloth to areas, which have remained peaceful
     despite having some Muslim homes. The message is clear; shaming them for their
     ?femininity?, implying that they are gutless for allowing Muslim houses to remain intact.
     (Many other people we spoke with also referred to this practice of sending bangles). In
     areas like Bhavnagar and Surendranagar, for example, bangles were placed in a
     prominent central place. Neighbourhood meetings are then organised with the
     insistence that representatives from all nearby colonies should attend. The message
     given is that they should ?do something? in terms of destroying Muslims, ?even if you
     get arrested we will take care of you?. At these meetings cell phone numbers are given
     for people to collect ?sadhan?, meaning weapons such as talwars and knives for ?self
     defence?. The gist of the anti-Muslim message that is imparted is as follows:
 

     - The government has been pampering the very people - Muslims - who have done
     ?atyachar? on us. For instance, the government sends them for Haj.
     - In actual fact, it is the Hindus who are oppressed and exploited.
     - Population wise they will soon out-number us.
     - In madrasas, they preach ?aatank? (terrorism)
     - They are anti-India, pro-Pakistan. During cricket matches they cheer for the Pakistan
     team
 

     A Women?s Organization, Panchmahals
 

     A women?s organization that works in Panchmahals and Saurashtra said that the VHP
     has accused them of converting people to Christianity even though there is not a single
     Christian in their team. In fact, they have registered a case against us, one activist said.
     The four founding members of our organization are Hindu but our organization is
     secular. The VHP does not like our work because we have been able to mobilize poor,
     tribal women and these women have not been drawn into their network. We are
     worried about the safety of our women activists who travel around on lonely roads on
     scooters. The VHP employs goons to threaten and attack women. They?ve tasted
     blood having raped, killed, burnt and looted and go around absolutely scot free with no
     fear of punishment.
 

     Accounts from the relief camps
 

     Qutb-e-Alam Dargah Camp, Vatva, Ahmedabad
 

     · Every time there is a cricket match with Pakistan there is tension. But we have been
     feeling the tension for the past six months to a year, as the Bajrang Dal has become
     strong here. Raat ko nare lagate hain, lathi lekar practice karte hain. Inka leader
     Mahesh Patel hai. Inhone sab kuch karaya. (They shout slogans at night, they practice
     with their sticks. Their leader is Mahesh Patel. He was responsible for all the violence).
 

     Saira
 

     · The Bajrang Dal has regular meetings at night. Their membership is mainly young
     boys. For the past 6 months they have been regularly stoning our houses, usually after
     their meeting, when they are in an excited mood. (We were taken to see some of these
     houses) We used to feel that we should just put up with it, because we have to live
     here. Par kya phaida hua. 6 maheene tak sahan kara. Ab yeh kara. (But we gained
     nothing. We bore it for 6 months and we have now had to suffer this violence).
 

     Azizunissa and Bilkis Bano
 

     Vadali Relief Camp, Khed Brahma, Sabarkantha
 

     Several of the women in the group mentioned there had been a escalation in tension
     between the two communities over the past few months. They all talked of an incident
     around Shab-e barat, 3- 4 months ago, when there had been stone throwing.
 

     · In the last 2- 3 years there have been about three incidents . In the last few months we
     have noticed the Bajrang Dal getting more aggressive. Jatin Bavchi Shastri used to go
     around saying, "We do not want Muslims here." About 4-5 months ago at the time of
     shabbe baarat, a mob of about 40 had surrounded our house and there had been stone
     throwing. We never used to pay much attention to these incidents. We had become
     quite used to them. Besides these incidents we had a decent relationship with the
     Hindus. I never knew they had so much hatred towards us or where it came from.
     When I think of what has happened ? 50 years of earning reduced to the clothes I have
     on now? yaad karte hain to kaleja phat ta hain. (When I think of what has happened,
     my heart breaks).
 

     Imam bibi Kamluddin Luhar
 

     · We could see trouble coming. Some time ago, they complained about our namaaz.
     They said it was disturbing. Then the police advised us to use the loudspeaker only
     three times a day. We thought, O.K. why invite trouble. We cut out the loudspeaker
     for all 5 namaaz readings. But the men kept on insulting us. Picking on us, starting
     quarrels. On Feb. 28th, they told us "You?d better keep lots of milk in your house. We
     are coming for chai." When they came we sensed there would be trouble. The Patels
     came and sat down to drink chai. Then the mobs with the Adivasis came. The Patels
     said "Get out or they?ll kill you." They burnt the house. They were carrying petrol,
     kerosene and tyres. Our businesses are finished. Our houses burnt. Where can we go?
     When we go to see our houses, they say "We?ll cut you up. The Bajrang Dal gives
     them trishuls and talwars. The Deputy Sarpanch Dinesh Kumar Narpat bhai Desai has
     a 12 bore gun. The DySP Solanki saab is a VHP leader he will not take action at all or
     help us.
 

     Sattar Bhai