Assam violence and communal mindset

By Abdul Hannan Siwani Nadvi,
India was not at war with any neighbor countries. Foreign troops too had not infiltrated Indian territories to occupy certain areas. Earthquake or other natural disasters (except flood) were also not reported in those areas in the last few weeks. But still over 4 lakh people have been displaced, hundreds killed, homes and properties gutted and people were forced to live in relief camps.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the affected areas and shared grief and pain of affected people. He termed it as blot on the nation. 300 crore was announced for the development and rehabilitation of the violence-hit areas. Army is camping there to restore peace and sense of security in those areas.
The same climate was witnessed in Gujarat in 2002. Though there is no comparison between Gujarat carnage and Assam violence but there are certain similarities. Chief Minister of Assam blames delay in deployment of army while BJP and its other allies who couldn't buy peace blamed illegal migrants for the unrest in Assam.
If we attempt to see this violence through the eyes of politics and communal minds, this issue would not be settled down easily because majority of affected people belong to particular community.
This violence, however, raises couples of questions. Where was the state as well as central administration? Where were security agencies especially when the environment was being planned as a rehearsal for such carnage?
One fails to understand that India which fought with China and Pakistan even its involvement created a new country known as Bangladesh and which is busy in redevelopment process in Afghanistan and that uprooted terrorism from Punjab how does it fail in encountering the elements and causes instigating violence and genocide within Indian territories forcing Indians homeless and making them refugees inside India. What Indian governments has learned from Gujarat to UP to Assam? The climate of inaction from P. V. Narasimha Rao to Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Dr. Manmohan Singh is same without much change. Government's commitment of erasing terrorism embarrasses ordinary people when they see majority of Indian people who are affected, killed or displaced are the victim of ethnic and communal clashes rather than an act of terrorism.
It is true that time will heal the wounds, and presence of army will help in restoration of peace and confidence among affected people but let's not forget that time, sciences and invention of new technologies couldn't eliminate or reduce the hatred and discrimination that are the cause of these violence .
Years have been passed but government's inaction in preventing ethnic and communal clashes reminds the gravity of the entire climate. Majority of those who had displaced forcibly in Gujarat carnage are still unable to return to their homes even after ten years and that same fear is encroaching Assam.
Blame-game is not the adequate reply to such violence. Governments must exhibit some courage in taking stern action against the elements who take law and order in their hands.
It is upon governments to provide security and prevent these clashes before they take place. Politics with communal minds and action with communal thoughts are big hindrance in dealing with these situations.
[Author can be reached on]


Posts a comment

© Indian Dalit Muslims' Voice
Back to top