Riot-affected set for a quiet Holi
Neighbourhoods in north-east Delhi pick up pieces after violence; many houses locked as owners yet to return
NEW DELHI: Two weeks after the national Capital saw its worst riots since 1984, the locals of violence-hit north-east Delhi on Monday prepared for a quiet Holi, even as scores of affected residents opted to stay away from their homes fearing for their safety.
In Shiv Vihar, the neighbourhood that was worst affected by the riots, preparations for a bonfire for ‘Holika dahan’ were seen in several lanes. In some localities, the Hindus and Muslims got together to build a heap of cow dung and wood for the bonfire, a ritual performed an evening before Holi to signify the victory of good over evil. Holi is on Tuesday.
“In this lane, there are only eight Hindus and the rest are Mohammadens (Muslims). I have lived here for 34 years and we never fought. Our Muslim sisters also helped us build this. Hope it sends a message of peace, love and brotherhood across Delhi,” said Shiv Kumar, 60, a resident of Gali Number 14 of Shiv Vihar Phase-7. Standing by the Holi bonfire, 70-year old Jannat nodded in agreement.
Despite heavy deployment of security forces across all riot-hit areas to maintain peace during the festival, several families, including those who had returned to their homes over the past three days, were seen moving out for safety concerns.
Those who chose to stay back either said they would not play with colours on Tuesday or would keep the festivities short involving only a few people.
The riots that began on February 24 and continued till February 26 have claimed 53 lives and left over 400 injured. Several hundred were displaced and businesses destroyed, as homes, shops and vehicles were damaged, looted and gutted.
On Monday, most of the affected neighbourhoods were deserted. Small groups of residents could be seen only at spots where SDMS and other officials were doing damage assessment and filling out compensation forms for the victims.
Shanno Khan, 51, took her sister, daughter-in-law and three children to her relative’s home in Loni on Monday afternoon . “Why take a risk? We will return on Wednesday after Holi is over. The men will stay back to keep a watch on the house because there have been instances of looting even after the riots,” she said.
Many in neighbourhoods such as Kardampuri, Jafrabad, Brahampuri, Gokalpuri and Jyoti Nagar said the heads of their communities and the local police suggested that they return after Holi. Accordingly, most houses remained locked in these areas.
“We do not want to give anybody another chance to threaten us or resort to violence. For the peace of all, we decided to stay away,” said Mujibur, a resident of Jafrabad. A section of residents in these areas, however, said Tuesday will be a litmus test on whether peace has actually returned across north-east Delhi.
“Others may be moving out, but my family and I are going to stay put in our homes. After the riots, this is the first major festival and we hope the police can protect us from rowdy or anti-social elements this time. My children used to play Holi with their Hindu friends from the colony. This time there is hardly anyone here,” said Saud Alam Khan of Shiv Vihar.
A few Hindu families said they would stay away from any kind of festivities during Holi. “This Holi is no longer a festival. How can we celebrate when there is so much hatred, violence and negativity? I will only distribute gujiyas (sweets) to everyone in my colony, including the Muslim families” said Archana Pal, 21, from Kardampuri.