CALLS FOR CALM AFTER DELHI CLASHES KILL 27
Fresh clashes in Indian capital after days of communal horror on the streets over contentious citizenship law
As fresh violence flared in Delhi yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a rare move, deployed National Security Adviser to areas hit by the worst communal clashes in decades
Amob of Hindu men angrily patrolled the streets carrying iron bars, clubs and a bright blue aluminium baseball bat. They were itching for a fight — a fight that turned out to be the worst riots in the Indian capital in decades.
The streets in the New Delhi neighbourhood were littered with scraps of brick. All shops were closed and almost no women or children were out — except for two Hindu women brandishing sticks and threatening journalists. The whole area felt as if it were about to ignite. Gangs of Hindus and Muslims have been clashing in the neighbourhood, Maujpur, and surrounding areas since Sunday, killing at least 27 people, including a police officer. Fresh clashes broke out last evening.
WHAT’S THE SITUATION NOW IN DELHI?
Nearly 200 people have been injured in the violence, a doctor said, with many suffering gunshot wounds amid looting and arson attacks that coincided with a visit to India by US President Donald Trump. Police and paramilitary forces patrolled the streets in far greater numbers yesterday. Parts of the riot-hit areas were deserted. At least two mosques in northeast Delhi were set on fire. “Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet.
WHAT LIES AT THE HEART OF THE VIOLENCE?
The violence erupted between thousands demonstrating for and against the new citizenship law introduced by Modi’s Hindu nationalist government. The Citizenship Amendment Act makes it easier for non-Muslims from neighbouring Muslimdominated countries to gain Indian citizenship. Critics say the law is biased against Muslims and undermines India’s secular constitution.
ARE THE RIOTS DIFFERENT FROM EARLIER ONES?
This was the first time that the protests have set off major bloodshed between Hindus and Muslims. It is an old and dangerous fault line, and any sign of communal violence raises alarm instantly. “The situation is volatile and tense,” said Alok Kumar, a senior Delhi Police officer. “It’s a mixed neighbourhood and in seconds you can have crowds of tens of thousands,” he said.
WHAT HAVE THE COURTS SAID ON THE VIOLENCE?
The Delhi High Court yesterday blasted Delhi Police for inaction over the riots and directed them to take a “conscious decision” on registering cases against three BJP leaders — Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma — for allegedly inciting communal violence. “We do not want another 1984,” said Justice Muralidhar, referring to the deadly anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. Separately, India’s Supreme Court also came down harshly against Delhi Police. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph also blamed Delhi Police for the rapidly spreading violence and held the Modi government responsible for not taking action to allow Delhi Police to work professionally.
IS IT A RESURGENCE OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE?
In the Muslim quarters, many people felt victimised and accused Modi’s government of abandoning them. This is a long-standing grievance: that Modi’s governing political party, which is rooted in a Hindu-nationalist worldview, has taken sides and abetted violent Hindu religious extremists. Since last year’s election handed Modi another term in power, many Indians feared a resurgence of communal violence, sparked by Hindu triumphalism and Muslim desperation.