The terror attack on Jaipur was “planned” to trigger riots between Hindus and Muslims in the city who have been living here for centuries in perfect harmony, said Jai Singh, a former prince and city businessman. “Jaipur is a soft target. Also, terrorists wanted to trigger communal disharmony and cause riots. It was deliberate, planned, and no coincidence. The government did a good job in clamping curfew on the city; otherwise there could have been some tension,” said Singh, who is director of Rambagh Palace Hotel, one of the country’s elite hotels.
“For centuries Hindus and Muslims have lived here together. There have been small incidents, which were due to politicians who want to use the situation for their own ends,” Singh, who belongs to the Jaipur royal family, reportedly said.
Singh, who is also chairman of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Rajasthan State Council, said another heartening feature was that a number of tourists did not pack up and leave in the aftermath of the terror bombings – rather many of them stayed on to help, either donating blood or nursing the injured, said Singh.