Muzaffarnagar riots: The Jat perspective

Gyan Kumar, Advocate

It is a bitter truth that the Jats had to bear maximum amount of damage in the riots of Muzaffarnagar. They lost 25 tractors and trolleys and 6 motorcycles due to a well-planned conspiracy against them. Innocents were ambushed in Purballian, Shernagar, Jolly, Manjheda, Bassi and brutally killed. No leader gave a truthful account that the Jats were not the attackers. Instead of healing the wounds of the most sufferers i.e. Jats, false news is being aired regarding the death of kids in relief camps and the refugees refusing to return their villages, etc. The fact is that both the media and the administration are evading the truth. But how long!

The truth about relief camps

The attacks of September 7, 2013 on Jats were carefully planned by Muslims when they were returning to their villages after attending the Maha Panchayat at Nangla Mandaudh. Many Jats were killed brutally in Jolly, Mamera, Purballian and Shernagar, and many injured. Many hid in the jungle to save their lives. The next day when they reached their villages in a badly injured condition, it instigated violence in Kutba, Fugana, Lisaadh, Laank, Bahaawadhi and Mohhammadpur Rai Singh.

As per a conspiracy, hatched by Muslim political and religious leaders, around 40,000 Muslims were instructed to move to various places including Bassi, Loi, Jolla and Kandhla. These Muslims were not really migrants, but pawns of the conspiracy. Fact is that they needed government help, as many of them were in heavy debt and they felt that if they did this they would not have to pay these debts. In the name of running Relief Camps for the displaced the Muslim organisations were taking help from abroad and amassing huge wealth for themselves. The fanatic organisations were also making inflammatory speeches to incite religious terrorism. This is also a fact that in the name of providing relief a lot of government money was misused.

After the lifting of curfew from Muzaffarnagar these relief camps continued because, according to the 10 member self-appointed Goodwill Committee ‘Mangimadliy’, these camps were being ruled by the madrasas and they did not want them to be shut down for their own purposes. The Muslim criminals were hiding in those camps and fighting a silent war. In the Shahpur incident, a lawsuit was filed against the people living in these camps and they were arrested. The Muslims staying in the refugee camp of Kairana in Shamali district shot each other. Eight people were injured but the police could not find any weapon. Thousands of girls were married off in these camps making it an excuse to accumulate wealth. Underage girls are also being married off. In the beginning the state government gave heavy financial support to them.

The state government is providing rations and other things to these people free of cost in the camps. They are also receiving supplies from Muslim religious organisations. It is important that these camps are shut down immediately. Due to them there is constant stress in these areas. A silent war continues all the time. There is a constant threat of our crops being burned and our tubewells destroyed.

Another major sin committed by the Akhilesh Yadav government of Uttar Pradesh is that it divided the deliverers of Justice according to their religions. Doctors and lawyers do not see religious beliefs of any individual to either treat their health or fight their cases. People go to them because of their name or capability. But the state government chose the lawyers on the basis of their religions to argue cases.

Jats have warned the administration that the situation in Muzaffarnagar has not improved completely. It just appears to be normal on the surface. It is like if you pour water over fire, which does not go out completely, the embers keep burning. The administration may turn a blind eye to it, the fact is that today the supply of illegal arms is on from adjoining districts. Arms and ammunition are being hoarded. There’s a silent war on to wound and kill innocents. People’s crops are being burnt and their tube well are being destroyed. Not only this, the rumour mongers continue spreading false stories.

Earlier, during the festivals of Diwali, Dussera and Id we would all embrace and congratulate each other on these occasions. Now we do not do so for fear that someone will stab us with a dagger instead. We will need to end this continuing matter of destruction and anguish, we will need to heal the wounds of the injured, to win the faith of the people and make a new beginning. But it is only possible when the goverment acts impartially. Its every step should be towards the protection of truth and the ending of wrongdoers. The State government has also to stop the policy of appeasement of Muslim community. It has to take back all the false cases against the innocent people.

Any officer who is given civil or police posting should be placed according to their capability and hard work, not due to their caste or religion. The notices that were sent to the Jats nullifying the weapons licences should be taken back by the state government and the suspension voided. The leaders who incited the riots be arrested and jailed. The arrests should be made regardless of caste, creed or religion. Those who molest and eve-tease women, daughters/daughters-in-law should be jailed under NSA and taught a lesson. The religious and spiritual leaders should clearly say that those who indulge in communal violence are not accepted in any religion.

Hindu and Muslim social groups should begin the process of inviting and coming together to listen to each other and sharing their complaints and grouses and to resolving these issues. The policy of compensation should be equal for all communities. Be it for destroyed homes or burnt tractor trolleys, it should be equal for all.