A severe attack was recently launched by communal forces in Sarada tehsil of Udaipur district of Rajasthan. In that area, a small population of Muslims live surrounded by a tribal habitation. There have been very cordial relations between the Muslims and the tribals of Sarada. But the BJP and RSS have been trying for some time to destroy that harmonious relationship and succeeded in organising the tribals to attack the Muslim locality last week, reports CPI(M) organ, People’s Democracy.
“The RSS-led tribals attacked the Muslim locality with lethal weapons and the minority people ran away from their locality. Then these communal elements attacked the minority houses, burnt them down and looted their property. About 70 houses and shops were burnt and looted, and property worth about one crore rupees was looted or destroyed. One victim of the riot, Sahida Khan, said that the superintendent of police (SP) was present on the spot when the arson took place and the minorities appealed to him to protect their houses, but he did not respond. A few cars and vehicles were also put on fire. The police led the minority people out of the locality, took in custody the licensed guns of some minority people, and took about 500 people from Sarada to Udaipur. They were kept in a mosque and a community hall but they were not given food and other facilities. The state’s home minister, Shanti Dharial, went to Udaipur and, when he was asked for compensation, according to Sahida Khan, he said that such things happened. In how many cases can compensation be given, he asked,” the report said.