New Delhi: Leading legal luminaries, retired police officials, intellectuals and academicians gathered at the Constitution Club in Delhi on March 1 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the tragic Delhi riots of 2020.
The one day memorial discussion was organised by GIA, Group of intellectuals and Academicians, New Delhi. The program was graced by Justice S.N Dhingra, Rajender Sharma (Former session Judge), Monika Arora (Advocate, Supreme Court), S. N Srivastav (IPS), Justice Pramod Kohli, Ms Bhaswati Mukherjee (IFS) and others.
Justice S. N Dhingra, emphasized how harmonious cultural heritage, where communities have coexisted for centuries, fostering unity and shared traditions. This term, which highlights the syncretic blend of cultures, languages, and traditions in India, has long symbolized the peaceful coexistence of different faiths and communities. However, Justice Dhingra also raised a crucial concern regarding whether this cultural harmony has been overshadowed by the marginalization or exploitation of particular communities.
Rajender Sharma offered a detailed analysis of the causes behind the Delhi Riots of 2020, with a focus on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and its role in the unrest. The riots were not a spontaneous reaction but were the result of a well-coordinated plan by certain groups to create instability and disrupt the social fabric of the nation. He clarified that this amendment does not, in any way, take away the citizenship rights of Indian Muslims but simply provides a pathway for these specific persecuted minorities to acquire citizenship based on their unique historical circumstances.
He concluded by stressing the need for unity, understanding, and dialogue in the wake of these events, urging citizens to look beyond misinformation and work collectively to preserve the integrity and harmony of India’s pluralistic society.
The third session of the one-day discussion event commenced with a short thought provoking play performed by students of Udaan theatre vertical- PGDAV College (Evening). The play was a befitting tribute to martyrs who lost their lives during the unfortunate riots.
Karnal Singh IPS and former director, Enforcement Directorate speaking of demography and migration in context of the riots quoted data regarding Hindu population decline rate vis a vis growth rate of Muslim population in India.
He also spoke of the policy of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to incite sentiments of radical fundamentalism through anti-Bharat slogans during sporting events between the two countries. He highlighted the activities of organizations like Jamat-e-Islami that was formed in Bharat in 1948 whose student wing; SIMI has been involved in terrorist attacks.
Bhaswati Mukherjee, IFS and former ambassador enlightened the audience about Human Rights of Hindus in context of Delhi riots.
Senior advocate Monika Arora, stated how that occasion was marked the fifth anniversary of these tragic events and it was crucial that citizens not only remember the lives lost and the pain endured, but also examine the underlying factors that shaped the course of these disturbances, especially the role of information warfare in influencing public perception and fueling conflict.
She further highlighted that the Delhi Riots were a watershed moment in India’s contemporary history, highlighting deep social, political, and religious divisions. Beyond the visible violence and destruction, another force was at play an invisible, yet powerful force that guided the narrative, inflamed emotions, and manipulated public sentiment.
That force, “was information warfare, which in its most basic form, refers to the strategic use of information to influence public opinion, disrupt social harmony, or manipulate events for political or ideological gain.”
The programme concluded on a sombre note with everybody paying their tributes to martyrs like Dilbar Negi and Ankit Sharma amongst others.
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