Over the past week, there has an extremely disturbing escalation of communal tension in the Trilokpuri area of East Delhi. A team of CPI(ML) activists visited the affected areas of Trilokpuri and other areas of East Delhi on 26 October 2014. The CPI(ML) observed in the course of the visit that there was no long-standing communal tension in the area. Rather, there were a couple of inconsequential drunken brawls of the kind that often happen on Diwali night. The police had dealt with these brawls on the night of the 23rd October itself. But, in a planned way, stone-pelting and arson took place on the morning of the 24th October, and continued on 24th and 25th October. The inconsequential quarrels and brawls were thus given a communal colour and with the help of wild rumours, the violence and communal tension were spread. This sustained violence could not have taken place without the police looking the other way.
Moreover, with each passing day, the role of the BJP in instigating the violence and the communal tensions is being revealed. Local people have said that known lumpen elements were involved in stoking and carrying out the violence. And they also especially named the role of former BJP MLA Sunil Vaidya in stoking the violence. It is now known that Sunil Vaidya held a “closed door” meeting with his supporters at his office, just before the violence escalated.
Local people have narrated how the police have indulged in violence against innocent bystanders and local residents including women. Women were beaten by male police. The real instigators and perpetrators of the violence have gone scot free, while most of those arrested and beaten up in custody are innocent.
While innocents of both communities have been arrested and jailed, the number of people from the minority community who have been arrested is disproportionately much higher. Those arrested (around 70 people) have been booked under severe sections including Section 307 (attempt to murder). This clearly shows the random and indiscriminate application of Section 307, not based on any proper investigation of the incidents of violence. Currently, several Muslims who were arrested by the Delhi Police have been shifted to the Tihar jail, even as their relatives are not being allowed to meet them. Currently, in Trilokpuri, there is a palpable situation of fear and intimidation amongst the Muslim community. There are reports that Muslim families are locking in youngsters in their homes, and preventing them from moving out – driven by fear that the Police will pick up Muslim youth and foist false charges on them. Fearing for their safety, children from Muslim families in Trilokpuri are being sent to relatives’ homes in other parts of Delhi.
The question arises why the Home Minister of the country could not visit Trilokpuri when communal violence broke out in the national capital? The Central Government owes a responsibility to maintain peace and law and order, and bears the responsibility for failure to respond promptly to curb the violence and calm the situation.
CPI(ML) demands a probe into the role of former BJP MLA Sunil Vaidya and other members of the ruling party in fomenting violence. The CPI(ML) demands a review of the cases booked against those arrested, and withdrawal of cases for which prima facie evidence is wanting. Action should be taken against the DCP of the area for failure to curb the violence and for the wanton police violence against women.
As Delhi elections approach, citizens of Delhi must remain alert to the BJP’s systematic strategy to foment communal tension and polarization in order to harvest hatred for votes. Common citizens must be alert to rumours and foil all attempts to turn minor everyday incidents into fodder for politically motivated rioting.
