The state-led genocide of Muslims in Gujarat not only destroyed lives and livelihood of thousands of Muslims but also reduced the whole Muslim community to the status of second-class citizens who do not seem to exist. This is the finding of a city-based NGO, Janvikas, which conducted the survey on the status of the minority community. The survey also shows that the neglect is officially sanctioned. The riots displaced more than 2 lakh people across the state and about 16000 Muslims are still living in relief colonies which are even void of basic amenities. The income of the displaced people has come down to 31 per cent as compared to their income before the riots.
“These are the people who cannot or dare not return to their original place of residence and have been living in shelters for the last 10 years,” said Vijay Parmar, CEO of Janvikas. “The government did next to nothing for creating awareness about social security schemes meant for Internally Displaced People,” said Khatunben, a resident of a relief colony in Ahmedabad.