“Delhi at war with itself” by Hailie P.
On February 23, 2020 in north-east Delhi, riots broke out. These violent outburst lasted 4 days. Cars were ablaze and homes were being torched to the ground. Muslim mosques were also completely destroyed. The divide between Hindus and Muslims is now the greatest seen in this area in years and ultimately led to the disastrous riots that killed at least 46 people. The majority of the death toll being Muslims. The riot was the worst religious conflict that India has seen in years. In the end of this many Muslims were left homeless and fleeing from their once home in fear for their lives.
Since the reelection of Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi, violence and support against Muslims has popularized. His disapproval of Muslims is one of the main push factors for this deadly outburst. Nationalist slogans were used all throughout the riot and hate was the main motive. After the riots it was determined that Modi and the police force not only supported the violence, but instead of helping they watched as fires were started and Muslims were beaten. Some police were even seen joining in on beating and ultimately killing many Muslims. If the police force would have stepped in the riots could have easily been controlled and many innocent people’s lives would have been saved. This riot marks 6 years of control by Hindu nationalist and anti-muslim tactics. Modi has even publicly spoken out against Muslims and believes that India is rightfully Hindus and that Muslims are the invaders. He even has plans to build a Hindu temple on top of a demolished mosque. These policies are putting fear into the many Muslims that call this part of India home. Many Muslims fear that this is only the beginning on what Modi is capable of influencing his supporters to do.
Since the riots many Muslims have left Delhi completely. They have left their whole lives in an attempt to avoid persecution. During the riots the chants were Hindu Nationalist slogans and they targeted Muslim bussinesses and homes specifically. Thomas Blom Hansen, a Stanford professor, stated “I’ve never seen Muslims more scared than they are at this moment... They live under the feeling that something bad is going to happen soon.” This truly puts into perspective the fear that Muslims are feeling at this very moment. Many Muslim families have returned to their home villages despite bad living conditions and some have even found safety in refugee shelters.
Since the reelection of Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi, violence and support against Muslims has popularized. His disapproval of Muslims is one of the main push factors for this deadly outburst. Nationalist slogans were used all throughout the riot and hate was the main motive. After the riots it was determined that Modi and the police force not only supported the violence, but instead of helping they watched as fires were started and Muslims were beaten. Some police were even seen joining in on beating and ultimately killing many Muslims. If the police force would have stepped in the riots could have easily been controlled and many innocent people’s lives would have been saved. This riot marks 6 years of control by Hindu nationalist and anti-muslim tactics. Modi has even publicly spoken out against Muslims and believes that India is rightfully Hindus and that Muslims are the invaders. He even has plans to build a Hindu temple on top of a demolished mosque. These policies are putting fear into the many Muslims that call this part of India home. Many Muslims fear that this is only the beginning on what Modi is capable of influencing his supporters to do.
Since the riots many Muslims have left Delhi completely. They have left their whole lives in an attempt to avoid persecution. During the riots the chants were Hindu Nationalist slogans and they targeted Muslim bussinesses and homes specifically. Thomas Blom Hansen, a Stanford professor, stated “I’ve never seen Muslims more scared than they are at this moment... They live under the feeling that something bad is going to happen soon.” This truly puts into perspective the fear that Muslims are feeling at this very moment. Many Muslim families have returned to their home villages despite bad living conditions and some have even found safety in refugee shelters.
Currently there is no real help for the persecuted Muslims. Modi has pubically stated that violence wasn’t the correct decision, yet he hasn't attempted to assist the affected Muslims and they believe he has no intention to. The families affected are forced to continue their lives and move to a safer environment. There is still fear in many Muslims hearts and minds that this is only the beginning and it will only get worse from here. Mushtari Kahtoon was a brave women who helped many Muslim women and children escape, she stated, “We will have to protect ourselves from now on. Delhi will not save us anymore.”
Work Cited
Biswas, Soutik. “Delhi Riots: How Muslims' Homes Were Targeted and Burnt.” BBC News, BBC, 4 Mar. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51719204.
Ellis-Petersen, Hannah. “Inside Delhi: Beaten, Lynched and Burnt Alive.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 1 Mar. 2020, www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/india-delhi-after-hindu-mob-riot-religious-hatred-nationalists.
Yasir, Sameer, and Billy Perrigo. “Delhi Riots: What's Next for India's Muslims?” Time, Time, 3 Mar. 2020, time.com/5794354/delhi-riots-muslims-india/.
I think it is crazy for people to live so close together and are very different. It is crazy to think that the government officials promoted the violence. They are the one's that are suppose to keep the peace. They are making it seem like violence and anarchy is okay and it is not. This is what happens when people in government think too much alike, it can get out of hand. People will start taking measures to defend themselves from the violence and it will all get worse. Something needs to be done to prevent this from happening and the change will have to be in the government.
ReplyDeleteThis really helps me show just how much tension there is between Muslims and Hindus in the Indian subcontinent. Before reading this I thought it was a primarily political conflict, this really shows me that it goes all the way down to the individual people in the country.
ReplyDeleteIt's disturbing to see how deeply corrupted the government is there. The Muslim population should receive the same treatment as Hindus, yet are being persecuted in their own country. This really highlights the fact that India's history still plays a part in the way the country is being run.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very bad that these two groups hate each other so deeply that they will just sit and watch each other die. I don't think that these actions will end any time soon and it is basically a death wish for Muslims living in this area of India. It shouldn't be this way, but I believe the only thing that Muslims can do is to move away from their once homeland and settle in other areas to hopefully prevent future riots, wars, and mass casualties.
ReplyDeleteI was aware that there was segregation and issues with the Muslims and Hindus, but I was unaware that the government endorsed violence towards the Muslims. A government is supposed to be non-biased towards a nation and should think about both Muslims and the Hindus. What they are doing is unfair and I hope the Muslims get better treatment in the future.
ReplyDeleteIts crazy to think this is going on. I knew about the dispute between the Muslims and the Hindus but I didn't know the severity of it. It's bad that the ongoing hatred is enough to kill other people. Its also bad that the police and the government wont even help to try and stop the violence.
ReplyDelete