Communal Riots in India Essay

common d fleetken r eveninglers discharge on become a distinct shoot a line of commonism in India. Whe neer conflicting meetings from cardinal disparate pietisms, which ar self conscious communities, meeting, it offsprings in a common disorder. An event is identified as a common shriek if (a) thither is fierceness, and (b) devil or much(prenominal) than commun e precisey identified groups con mien each contrastingwise or members of the other group at nearly point during the redness.1 The originator for such a collapse could be superficial and trivial, though infralying them argon deeper considerations of g everywherenmental re applyation, tick off of and access to resources and power. in that respect engage been m every happenings of riots recorded during the course of British tackle and even onwards that. For example In Ahmedabad thither were riots in 1714, 1715, 1716 and 1750. solely accord to Bipan Chandra, in his make commonism in Mode rn India, common tension and riots began to total sole(prenominal) in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, further they did non occur in India on any significant p late till 1946-472. origin eachy that, the maximum common rioting took c rotaryhe during 1923-26. A clear relationship surrounded by common riots and regime was open for the first clip in 1946, when the Moslem League gave its direct action call on August 16, 1946. 3 This chronology reveals that common riots ar non ca employ spontaneously and to a fault that they ar rargonly caused by ghostly animosity.They arise everywheredue to conflicting policy-making interests, which are a good deal linked to stinting interests. in that location is a significant change in the yield of common riots since the 1990s, which could be noniced in the laterwards(prenominal) disassociate of this chronology. This brings forth the shifts that have occurred in the temperament of common riots in India. More everywhere, the aim is to underline that religion in close to of the aspects is not the reason wherefore common riots occur. The reason for the occurrence of common force play has been different in the dickens different somas. During the quantify of partition, it was the clash of policy-making interests of the elite of 2 different communities which resolvinged in common riots.4 But, from the 1960s till the juvenile 1980s, the topical anaesthetic anaesthetic g all overnmental and economic circumstanceors play a very important federal agency in instigating riots. The branch of Hinditva politics in the last two decades has been a cause of common riots in this con wreakation where the topical anaesthetic factors have too helped in instigating riots. communal riots that took place from the 1960s to the 1980s follow a mishap pattern.Read much Essay Ab reveal iniquity Rate in IndiaThey have full-grownly occurred in urban t experiences which are either industr ial belts or trading bear ons with the economy for the most part mingyd on a particular occupation. Most of these places had a massive shareage of Moslem macrocosm whose political or economic interests clashed with those of the Ashtosh Varshney, Ethnic Violence and Civic Life, (New harbor Yale University Press, two hundred2), p.309 2 Bipan Chandra, communalism in Modern India, (New Delhi Vikas Publishing Home, 1984), Pp 4 3 Ibid, 6 4 Asghar Ali Engineer, Gujarat Riots in the cleared of the History of Communal Violence, Economic and Political Weekly, celestial latitude 14, 2002, pp. 5047-5054 -11 Hindoos. Moreover, the major riots occurred when the relation back was in power in these affirms or during the pitiable and uncertain phase of the Janata troupe coalition rule at the shopping mall. Riots in this phase might have occurred in the villages or clownish know leadge do importants the likes of the Biharsharif riots, but they have often re primary(prenominal)ed un pieceed. on that pointfore it is important to distinguish this phase from the 1990s during which the BJP and its babe organizations have been active in instigating communal riots. Communal force since 1990s needs to be seen in the light of the changing political equations in the country. The abate of the sexual intercourse and the publication of the BJP as a wet political force resulted in shifting patterns of communal riots. Communal fierceness in the last two decades is a result of the manipulation of the religious sen durationnts of the great unwashed by the Hindoo right-wing organizations for political gains. The politicization of the Mandir- musjid have a go at it and the subsequent destruction of the Mosque gave the BJP the opportunity to unify its choose bank. But in the process the controversy created a communal divide, and frequency of riots also amplificationd during this judgment of conviction. Since partition, never before has iodine particular fortuity resulted in the emergence of personnel in closely all the reads. From the 1960s till 1980 local factors vie a very important manipulation in the emergence of riots, but since the late 1980s this trend seems to be changing. Communal effect has always occurred when the BJP has wanted to fly off the handle its base. In the recent forms the S step to the foreh Indian presents, particularly Kerala and Tamilnadu, have also witnessed communal violence and are slowly growing into communally fine spheres. This is primarily because of the recent entrance of BJP in the political arena of these states. Apart from Godhra, the other incidences of communal violence in the 90s have been minor, yet they cannot be dismissed.These eruptions of communal violence have not been spontaneous, but are unionised, and often have the stay of the local brasss. The state support to riots is a long open up birth in India, yet the state has never been such an active participant in the violence befo re the Gujarat riots. Communal violence has entered a bare-ass phase with the Christians and members of other minority religions universe made the victims of think labializes. Communal riots in this decade have been two urban and rural features, but the extent of impairment is always greater in the thriving centers of patronage and commerce. Tribal world in the rural areas is being forced to fixate confused in the approach paths on Christians and Moslems by bringing them within the Hinditva frame tend. Apart from economic reasons, the call for Hindu unity which is primarily a elbow room to achieve political advantage is the primary(prenominal) source for communal violence in this decade. Godhra was and so the first major communal riot that got such a wide media coverage particularly from the artificial satellite channels. thereof the media now needs to be more responsible, considering the influence that it can have over the masses. It is date that the media stop any kind of biased describe as it can further encourage the communal elements to instigate the masses. Political parties have always had a hand in instigating and exploiting communal violence so as to meet their electoral interests. Though communal riots are condemned in various quarters, there is unruff direct complete inaction almost(prenominal) from the administration and the vox populi political relations in many states. Though religious festivals and emissions are generally the lighting points of communal riots, still equal security is not provided during these meters. There is also not practically response once morest incidents of communal violence from the obliging society. Till the time the political parties which instigate communal riots are voted to power, the incentives to combat communalism will not be able to develop fully. grade spot Communities/Organizati ons voluminous/Reasons Hindus, Islamics Hindus, Moslems Casualties all in(p) 5000 5000 wound 250 00 three hundred0 interrogative flush egress Remarks 1947 butt over againstAugust, 1947 Calcutta and Naokhali, Bengal Lahore and Amritsar, PunjabKota Kota Jabalpur elopement of a Hindu girl with a Islamic son, son of a local bidi magnate was the straightaway cause tilt surrounded by Hindus and Islamics in the bidi patience business sector rivalry surrounded by the Hindus and the Moslems, particularly in the booze work in Rourkela Justice Shiv Dayal Srivastava mission intelligence department was inefficient, the law and order governance responsible for laxity in investigation and prosecution, resulting in large acquittalsThe riots in Bihar also light-emitting diode to large dental plate wipeout of human survives and square-toedties. Punjab was the vanquish effected during the Partition riots. It was the key to the fruit of partition and thus to the constitutional destine of India. In Lahore and Amritsar gird ragtags gained the concourse and burned-over t heir homes military post brought under curtail quickly situation brought under control quickly A upstart phase began with the Jabalpur riots when local factors started playing an important procedure in instigating violence.Rourkela, Calcutta, Jamshedpur 2000, broadly speaking Islamics reaction to the atrocities committed against Hindus in easternmost Pakistan. communal elements were given a pose free hand by the administration form emplacement Communities/Organizati ons tough/Reasons started due to brick batting of a students salary increase urging that Urdu be made the second formal language of Bihar Casualties all of a sudden 19 Hindus, 164 Islamics hurt interrogation deputation Raghubir Dayal bearing emergence Remarks August 1967 Hatia, Ranchifeelings were provoke on hearing rehearsals about what happened in Ranchi. The focussing was critical about the inadequate measures adopted by the district authority in Hatia DM and SP new and inexperienced political parties and labour alliances criticized It was nearly 1964-65 that communal disturbances began to occur in Aurangabad. The Jamait-e-Islami did not have any active branches till about 1964. The Jan Sangh in the ordinal general elections found the first opportunity to go up the masses on a purely communal platform since opposing congress scene in Aurangabad was a Moslem. Majority of the Hindu population of Karimganj was engage in trade and business, the bulk of them were also minglight-emitting diode in smuggling. The Hindus of the region resented the fact that Muslim smugglers had an perimeter over them, due to their relations with the Muslim population in Pakistan.Aurangabadaccidental injury to a awe by a Muslim boy fleck he was trying to chase it away from his divulge. popsicle and arson by RSSJan Sangh and sexual relation workers. Retaliation by Muslims a intimidate be to a Muslim trespassed into a Hindu house. When a Hindu boy act to chase the cow away, a hardl y a(prenominal) Muslims beat him up 41 Hindua, 41 Muslims one incident of stabbing a Hindu manifest 1968Karimganj, Assam class billetCommunities/Organizati ons multiform/Reasons Communal riots amidst Hindus and Muslims occurred near the Jagannath synagogue in family line. The riots parcel out to 25 more localities, in which around 512 persons missed their lives. It is aver that handbills calling for a religious war were give wayd to the rioters by the Jan Sangh and the RSS.Casualties light 512 injure examination missionary station Justice P.Jaganmoha n Reddy event Remarks Ahmadabad the havoc was caused by rumors, patrikas constitutions on blackboards and provocative watchwordpaper describes recommended that the circumscribed branch of the Gujarat jurisprudence needed to be reorganized.Bhiwandi, Maharashtra Jalgaon, Maharashtra Hindus traced the disturbances to the harassment of a married Hindu woman by about Muslim young.. may 197017 Hindus, 59 Muslims 1 Hindu , 42 Muslims D. P. Madan missionary station of dubiousness D. P. Madan guidance of Inquiry the MTM and Rashtriya Utsav Mandal shared joint certificate of indebtedness for the riots report held that there was no such incident. The deputation utter that jurisprudence officials with the help of some Hindus invented the story at a much later stage.The Congress was not far behind in riddleing communal feelings. Most Congressmen participated directly or indirectly in the riots and cal conduct the Muslims anti-national. The Hindu Dharma Rakshak Samiti was organize at this time. Its members were largely bosom class Hindus. Ahmedabads textile industry, which provided largescale applyment opportunities for Hindus and Muslims, was face a crisis, and there was arduous rivalry betwixt the Hindu and Muslim workers in this industry. The relief work that followed the riots was not efficient and the general situation towards the riot victims was unsympathetic. 1,286 Muslims and 323 Hi ndus were arrested later onwards the riot The day the riots occurred, 8th whitethorn, all the senior billetrs were out of town. Another agile reason for the riot was a quarrel that took place at a pan shop at Rath Chowk amidst a Muslim and some Hindus. course of study lieuCommunities/Organizations tortuous/Reasons riots bust out after the resolve of the Bhiwandi riots over All India Radio. in Nonari, the riots began on 15 November after Muslims murdered a Harijan loss draw a crowd of 10,000 attacked Muslim houses and shops and started steal and arson. In Sajni on 12 declination, a crowd of 5000 started robbery and arson after a hardly a(prenominal) Muslim boys tried to molest a Hindu brahmin girl of other village. A Hindu boy, who was shell(a) up by the Muslims, saved the girl rumor was spread the that the Hindu girl was raped riots started when students from the Anglo-Bengali College and materialization men from the adjoining neighborhood of Muslim weavers clash ed over the question of whether the ranch of yarn by weaver boys on a part of a vacation spot was restricting the space available for students to playCasualties at peace(predicate) wound 9 Hindus, 6 Muslims Inquiry missionary post D. P. Madan counseling of Inquiry moderate Remarks May 1970 Mahad, Maharashtracriticized the political parties for exploiting communal feelings. in Nonari, 107 houses of Muslims were looted and 76 were set on fire November 1972Nonari and Sajni, Uttar Pradesh October 1977 Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Muslims were stabbed after being dragged out of a cinema hall and some(prenominal) woundThe jurisprudence instigated the riots by going to the Muslim locality and beating up the weavers. This led to a decline of the situation and further clashes taking place. In some other incident the constabulary did not make proper arrangements when a Hindu approach was intersection a Muslim locality. The constabulary, instead of discharge at the miscreants in t he stabbing incident, started firing on the Muslims.Year post Communities/Organizati ons snarly/Reasons Casualties Dead 23 Hindus, 2 Muslims hurt Inquiry outfit emergence Remarks March 1978 Sambhal, Uttar Pradesha big trading centre for smugglers and bootleggers. There was trade rivalry among the Hindus and the Muslims who wanted to dispossess the Hindus oftheir property. calling in Aligarh revolves around the lock industry, which is have by rich Muslims. But there is also the growing of the Muslim workers by these owners. Every time a riot occurs the lock owners come out as protectors of the Muslim workers and thereafter continue their exploitation of the workers. The Hindu traders, who are followers of the Jan Sangh, had control over the unrefined materials for the lock industry. The Hindu traders also benefited from the riots as they got will power of a little more territory by occupying the earthly concern of the victims, which they generally leave due to fear. 19 26 4 were arrested Chenna Reddy, the then Chief Minster of the state, started dealing Ganesh overtures, after this incident for political gains.October 1978Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh immediate reason for this particular riot was the murder of a Hindu. A emanation was led removeing the penalty of the murderer but violence erupted when the boost was crossing the Muslim populated area. During the riots the ruling party office bearers used strong-arm methods to secure the release of some asocials arrested by the legal philosophy as a contraceptive device measure. a particular group started throwing stone pits on a Ganesh betterment consisting of 2000 commonwealth. kinfolk 1978Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Year localisationCommunities/Organizati ons touch/Reasons a joint Ramnavmi approach passed through and through an area which had a significant population of both Muslims and adivasis. The local MLA played an active grapheme in enkindle the riots.Casualties Dead 120 killed, more tha n half were Muslims wound Inquiry Commission Jitendra Narain Commission of Inquiry turn out Remarks April 1979 Jamshedpur, Bihar concluded that the RSS, with its extensive organization in Jamshedpur and weedy links with the BJP and the BMS, had a hand in creating a climate propitious for the outbreak of these disturbances. It further verbalise that not a single Hindu was killed by the Bihar Military police force in 22 hours of firing resorted to by the police for quelling the riots. The population of Moradabad is every bit distributed in the midst of Hindus and Muslims. The towns brassware industry is the main source of its income. Most of the artisans in the industry are Muslims, but the traders and exporters of the finished products are Hindus. There has been a long stand rivalry surrounded by the Muslims in this area and the Valmikis, traditionally sweepers. Constant clashes occur in the midst of them over land, and the straying of pigs into the Muslim locality. riots in Moradabad was followed by Biharsharif, Merrut, Baroda, Bhiwandi, Pune and Sholapur. The political action citizens commissioning played a communal role, and in one particular incident 15 Muslims were killed by the political action committee.August 1980Moradabad, Uttar PradeshId-prayers were disrupted one hundred fifty0 to and scores of people, 2000 including many adolescent children, died in a stampede at the Idgah. The riot occurred on this particular precedent when a police constable on duty refused to chase a pig when asked by Muslims in the Idgah. A minute of Harijan slums and Muslim refugee camps were attacked.Year localisation of function Communities/Organizati ons regard/Reasons a quarrel in a hot toddy shop owned by a Harijan. The care erupted in the Gagandiwan village having a mass Muslim population. There was also traditional rivalry between the Hindus and Muslims over a piece of land which both claimed as their own. dispute over a Shiv synagogue and a Mazaar i n two adjoining buildings in the high-pitchedly bare-assed Shahghasa area Casualties Dead around 80 hurt Inquiry Commission Balasubraman ian Commission set up by the Bihar Government end point Remarks April 1981 Biharsharif, Bihar failure of the intelligence machinery and the District Administration direct the higher authorities by not providing a correct assessment.The police did not render sound action to control the clash, which ended in rioting. The spread of false rumors affected the other villages in Biharsharif. The induce of the RSS and the Jammat-e-Islami in these areas further increased the violenceSeptember 1982In the elections that took place before the riots, a Muslim MLA was elected, displacing the BJP candidate. Soon after, the riots stone- stone-broke out over a trivial issue. Outside forces, which included the Shahi imam of Delhis Jama Masjid and some BJP leading joined the fray. The worst sufferers of the riots were the Ansaris, Muslim weavers.YearLocationC ommunities/Organizati ons conglomerate/Reasons communal clashes occurred when the Dussera and Muharram coincided. The liquor traders from both communities looted and clashed with each other. The news of the transfer of the Hindu Police Commissioner due to jam from the Muslim connection spread like wild fire, and led to a worsening of the situation. The Hindu leadinghiphip used the opportunity to criticize the Islamic Muslims for enterprise an Islamic study centre in Baroda. 19 riots occurred in the urban center in a short span of 10 months. riots were sparked off by group rivalry between the Congress (I) MLA of Malur and the exCongress (I) MLACasualties Dead 17 injure 50Inquiry CommissionResultRemarkscelestial latitude 1982Baroda, Gujarat by and by the 1969 communal riots, Baroda had witnessed a see boycott of Muslim shops and establishments, which led to deterioration in the economic condition of the Muslims. There was also a rise of Islamic Fundamentalism and communal act ivities of the RSS and BJP. The illicit liquor trade was flourishing at that time in Baroda with a large material body of shops selling local brands. Both Hindus and Muslims owned these shops. The constant competition among these shop owners often aggravated the situation.May 1983 Malur, KarnatakaThree months before the riots a Harijan women was raped by tether Muslim youngs and it was the communal, rather than the criminal aspect of the problem, that accepted much importance. Soon, another incident of molestation of a Hindu girl by a Muslim boy took place. The RSS took full advantage of the situation, and instigated some militant Hindus to take revenge. Soon after, trouble erupted leading to large damage to Muslim property. Communal disturbances in Malur were unexplored before the advent of the RSS.Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons composite/Reasons The bursting of crackers before the Jama Masjid to celebrate the advantage of the Indian Cricket team in the innovation Cup led to communal riots Casualties Dead injure Inquiry Commission Result Remarks June 1983 Malegaon, Maharashtra October 1983 Hazaribagh, Bihar wage increase led by Hindus turn violent after Muslims stop it near the Jama Masjidtrade rivalry between the Hindus and the Muslims is marked. The Muslim loom-owners sold only to Muslims, which affected the dinero of Hindu traders. Cow slaughter is a sensitive issue, and Malegaon is the only district where 36 butchers had been convicted and imprisoned for iii months for violating the Cow Slaughter Act. The situation worsened after the then Chief Minister, A.R.Antulay, floated the idea of constructing a sick persons memorial to honour those who had lost their lives in the freedom struggle. The Malegaon authorities came up with names, all of which wereMuslims. The Hindus objected to this on the grounds that these people had been involved in destroying temples. This issue had been responsible for escalating the tension in 1982. There was an fermentation by the Muslims at that time also for move a chapter from the standard VIII news report casebook where it was stated that the Prophet Mohammad fled to Mecca caused by negligence by the local authorities firearm local political leaders persuaded the members of both the communities to start the Moharram rise and the Chaitra Ramnavmi procession to spread communal uniformity, the actual intention of these leaders was to gain political advantage out of the situation. The Police inspite of being salubrious aware of the situation did not take effective measuresYear Location Communities/ Organizations involved/Reasons desecration of a mosque, followed by the call for a bandh by MIM (Muslim Itthadul Muslimeen) party.Casualties Dead 45 injure cl Inquiry Commission Result Remarks September 1983 Hyderabad May 1984 Bhiwandi, MaharashtraA Shivaji Jayanti 146 procession led to large scale communal violence the ban on the Shivaji Jayanti procession after the 1970 riots was r esented by the Shiv Sena.611 October 1984 Delhi anti-Sikh riots broke out in Delhi and most move of North India after the assassination of the then prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards 2733, mostly Sikhs Justice Jaggannath Misra Commission of Inquiry formed in 1985. In 1999, the Justice Nanavati Commission began its investigations.Jaggannath Misra Commission recommended that the Delhi administration investigate the conduct of the delinquent police The results of the Nanavati Inquiry Commission revealed that the police force played a rattling role in instigating violence.The BJP, RSS, VHP and the MIM raise to communal sentiments and raise communal tensions on the eve of elections and religious festivals. From 1979 to 1984 there have been constant communal clashes in the city. newspapers added further discharge to the communal violence by disclosing the identities of the victims. The Congress (I) and the TDP have formed electoral alliances with the MIM The Mus lim population in Bhiwandi has increased good since 1970 and many of them set up their own powerloom industries, which was financed by Marwaris. therefrom, during the riots, the Marwari go pilings were not destroyed in Muslim areas. The increase in the number of smugglers andunderworld activities also led to communal tension. The number of Pakistani nationals staying illegally in the city was around one lakh according to the unofficial figures. The pattern of these riots showed that they were organized and planned against a particular fraternity and the many senior Congress leaders were alleged to have participated in the anti-Sikh riots. The main accused in these riots were H.K.L.Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler. All these senior Congress leaders were exonerated till the CBI on July 11, 2003 filed an woo against a lower court which acquitted Sajjan Kumar.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons anti-reservation agitation Casualties Dead 300 Injured Inqui ry Commission ResultRemarks April 1985 Ahmedabad city court in April 1986 pronounced the oddment excoriate on five Muslims charged with the cleanup of 8 persons during the riots.There is large-scale poverty among the Harijans and the Muslims who primarily live in the slums of Ahmedabad. Therefore the Muslims and Harijans did notrespond to a bandh called to objection the reservation policy by the f number caste leaders. This eventually led to the burning mint of their houses and destruction of their property.July 1986 Ahmedabad violence broke out during the diachronic Rath Yatra procession through the walled city areas. Disturbances started after the one-year Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was subjected to a heavy stone throwing barrage in the sensitive Dariapur and Kalupur localitiesYear Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons Casualties Dead 6, 75 Injured 40 Inquiry Commission Minority Commission headed by Shri N.C.Saxena Result Remarks April, May 1987Meerutblame d the police for its biased attitude in its report and stated that the Hindu communal groups aggravated the situation.October 1989Indoreriots started after a Ramshila procession was stopped. After the Ramshila procession, a Muslim local leader with political ambitions took out a rally on the occasion of Milad-un Nabi, the Prophets day. The procession was go through through the streets of Indore when two explosions took place leading to disorderliness and then the riots broke out.7 Hindus, 20 MuslimsThe political action committee had killed a number of young men and propel their bodies into a canal during these riots. The media however played a positive role in uncovering the communal role played by the PAC in killing innocent people. In April 1995 that the Mulayam Singh Government announced that the 19 guilty policemen would be prosecuted. The lower-middle class, the middle strata of the population had participated in large numbers in these riots, while large section of the Harij ans attacked localities inhabited by the Muslims. In some areas the rioting was between the Harijans and Muslims. The mere movement of the PAC in Muslim majority mohallas created a feeling of insecurity among the Muslims, while Hindus wanted the deployment of PAC in their localities. There was a sway of communal violence that took place in Kota, Badaun, Bhagalpur, Ratlam, Mhow, Khargone, Khambat, Palanpur and some(prenominal) other places. result of communal politics played by the BJP, VHP and the RSS, and it is interesting that the violence occurred in Congress run states. The violence in Indore and other areas were the result of political rather than religious overtones. It was soon after this wave of violence started that elections were announced. Local factors also played a significant role in the emergence of violence. Muslims form 10% of the totalpopulation of Indore and are largely backward, both economically and socially, but the important fact is that the Hindus and the Muslims have different political loyalties which encouraged the BJP and the Congress leaders to exploit the situation to their benefit. Several Muslim families suffered from police excesses.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons riots broke out on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi when Hindus took out a procession. The procession was marked by the participation of a number of Akhadas which were a part of the VHP, RSS and the Shiv Sena. Despite warnings the administration did not make proper arrangements at the time of the procession. riots occurred during the Ram Navami processionCasualties Dead Injured Inquiry Commission Result Remarks September 1989Kota, Rajasthan The Muslims in Kota are piteous, except for the Bohra Muslims who are a business community. But a large number of Muslims from this area went to the Middle-East and became well-fixed. Therefore the dependency relation between the Muslims and the Hindus was disrupted. Moreover, with the coming of theC entre of Indian Trade Unions, controlled by the CPI (M), there have been more strikes and militant trade union actions. Thus, the relations between the Hindus and the Muslims ceased to be cordial from the late 70s itself. The Muslims suffered the most in the riots and among them the Dawoodi Bohras were the worst victimized. 4 Hindus, 13 Muslims. Bhadrak had a population of 70,000 Muslims at the time of the riots and two Muslim Congress leaders were popular in that area. The economy of Bhadrak was under the control of Marwaris and Oriya Hindus. But economically there was no competition between the Hindus and the Muslims. The Marwaris employ some Muslims and there is a long standing dispute between the employers and the workers on the revision of repair scales. During these riots the Muslims looted the Marwari shops and burned-over them. The Muslims who had earlier voted for the Congress in the 80s switched their loyalties to the Janata Dal. The BJP was also trying at this time to g et a strong hold in Orissa. Therefore it decided to take out Ram Navami processions in many places in the state. They took out a procession at Bhadrak too and surprisingly the police allowed it to pass through a Muslim locality.March 1989 Bhadrak, OrissaThe militarization campaign for Kar Sevaks to construct the proposed Ram Janma Bhoomi temple at Ayodhya on 30th October 1990 aggravated the communal halo in the country. Communal riots occurred in the wake of L.K.Advanis Rath Yatra wherever it went.. These riots were led by RSS-BJP men to consolidate theHindu vote bank. They were widespread over almost all the states from Assam to West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and D elhi. Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons nearly 1400 communal incidents 120 riots Casualties Dead 224 38 Injured 775 170 Rioting, arson and plunder was witnessed in Vyara and Bulsar towns of South Gujarat. Th e violence continued in Ahmedabad, Bapunagar, Baroda andAnkleshwar. 200 persons belonging to the minority community were detained under TADA, but among these there were no charges could be established against 178, nor any explosives or weapons recovered. 144 Inquiry Commission Result RemarksApril to December 1990 January and April 1991 October 1990 Gujarat Gujarat Ahmedabad violence began soon after 41 the Rath Yatra was started from SomnathRajasthan October 1990 October 1990 Jaipur jodhpur boot, Rajasthan abhor campaign organized 52 by the BJP since the Rath Yatra started from Somnath VHP, BJP and Bajrang 20 Dal called for a Jodhpur bandh to protest the arrest of L.K.Advani atomic number 6+Uttar PradeshFrom the morning of the bandh, BJP leaders including MLAs terrorized a section of the people by use physical force and provocative slogans, which resulted in communal violence. The administration shielded the miscreants but adopted antiMuslim postures. Curfew was enforce in 49 dis trictsYear Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons after the BJP chief started the Rath Yatra Casualties Dead 33 InjuredInquiry Commission Result Remarks October, 1990 Lucknow November 1990 Agra April-May 1990 Kanpursituation in the city was tense due to the Rath Yatra by L.K.Advani. The incident that led to riots was the stabbing of a scooter rider. 20 to 22 similar incidents occurred during the same time at different places. The city was a victim of communal riots thrice within a year.31 mostly Muslims the States had to be deployed. But despite its front line it became difficult to bring the situation under control and the riots became a regular feature for the next two months. The VHP leaders in the town were engaged in instigating communal sentiments. The city remained disturbed for nearly two months, despite the curfew imposed. 669 arrested.Communal violence resulted from a clash between mafia dons to establish a basis in politics by communalizing incidents that resulted in violence. The city was tensed during this time due to the Rath Yatra organized by the BJP, RSS and VHP. Therefore communal riots could break out with fine provocation. But the riots that broke out in May were organized and planned. It started with the aggressive BJP stormtroopers taking out procession in Muslim dominated Lakkarmandi area and throw abuses at the community. This was a followed by retaliation from few Muslims and four persons got killed. The next day disturbances began again due to a BJP meeting which was right in front of a thickly populated Muslim area. This led to communal riots and the police had no control over the mob.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons began in Chandni Chowk area when L.K. Advanis Rath Yatra was passing through Casualties Dead 100+ Injured Inquiry Commission Result Remarks October 1990 Delhi October 1990 Hailakandi, Assam October 1990 Beawar, MaharashtraHindus demanded a government plot for the tress of a g lasswort Temple which for a very long time was commonly owned by all the communities and used for all public functions. The District Magistrate, Halakandi at that time was a Muslim and the BJP exploited this factor to its own benefit. VHP and BJP gave a call for Baewar bandh to protest against the arrest of L.K.Advani30 to 40 people who were participants of the rally attacked the Deputy Imam of the Fatehpuri Masjid. As soon as the news of the attack on the Imam spread to the other split riots broke out in Lal Kuan and Jama Masjid Chowk Communal tension began to rise as soon as VHP, RSS and BJP organized pujas to purify the bricks for Shilayas at Ayodhya. The continuous migration of people from Bangladesh also instigates violence between the two communitiesIn an effort to close Jai Mandir Cinema hall, a meeting erupted between students and its employees. The RSS and BJP gave this small incident a communal angle. The administration formed peace committees to maintain communal harmon y. The peace committees had representatives of various political parties and religious organization. These were the very people who instigated communal violence.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons RamjanmabhoomiMasjid controversy Casualties Dead Hindus, 896 Muslims Injured Inquiry Commission Result Remarks October 1989-90 Bhagalpur, BiharBhagalpur Communal Riots Inquiry Commission submitted its report after six historic period but the members was not unanimous in their findings of the riot. While two members of the missionary work blamed the BJP-VHP and the Muslim fundamentalists for the riots, the Chairman Commission held the Congress responsible.October 1990 November 1990 Patna Indore, Madhya Pradesh Rath Yatra organized by the BJP 18-100+ 7 Hindus, 6 Muslims one hundred fifty demand to set up an Inquiry Commission was rejected by the Chief Ministercenter for crime, and the politicization of crime. There are a large number of Muslims in and around Bhagalpu r. Many Muslims are either weavers or in the powerloom business. Some Muslims are well-todo businessmen or property owners. The intelligence sources and the people were well aware of the likelihood of riots breaking out, but did not stop the Rath Yatra procession and allowed it to pass through a Muslim dominated area. There is intense rivalry between two factions of the Congress here, which is reflected through rabble wars even before the riots. Gang rivalries emerged during the dispute between the Hindus and the Muslims in the celebration of their festivals. The Superintendent of Police played a blatant partisan role during the riots. along with Bhagalpur city around 206 villages were affected. 3000 powerlooms were looted and burnt. 1100 Hindus and 900 Muslims arrested 7 houses and 5 shops burnt and 8 Mosques damaged large scale damage to property. riots here continued for 5 age in which a Mosque was destroyed and a Temple desecrated.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons invol ved/Reasons Casualties Dead 60 Injured Inquiry Commission Interim key an organization called the CFD 350Result Remarks December 1990Hassan, Mandya, Madikeri and Mysore, Karnataka Hyderabad Hyderabad the arrestof the BJP chief, L.K.Advani, in Bihar a fight between two gangs of land grabbers belonging to different communities stabbing of a pusher boyblamed a local organization, the Hindu Yuva Sakti for the events leading to the riotsAfter S.Banagarappa took over the Chief Ministership from Veerendra Patil, he formed a state level committee for bringing communal harmony BJP and RSS exploiting the Rath Yatra, Kar Seva and Ram Temple to ignite communal passions. The MIM too joined the fray. It was fictitious that the killer must be Muslim, and soon 150 persons allegedly belonging to the Congress went on a stabbing spree. In this incident 20 Muslims were killed. The Majlis retaliated by killing migrant construction workers and each time a construction worker was killed, the BJP went on a procession with the body. This instigated further violence and the riots lasted for 10 days, The riots stopped after the resignation of the Chief Minister Chenna Reddy. a result of aggressive electioneering by the BJP since the aureole was already tense this small incident was only an excuse to start the riots. The city once again witnessed communal frenzy on the occasion of Muharram. The support riots in the city are a result of communal politics. Moreover, the city is very congested with Hindus and the Muslims hold almost in segregation. There is a high rate of unemployment, poverty and lack of education, which exacerbates the riots.October 1990 December 1990 April-July 1991 Baroda a boy was hit by an auto ricksha LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons Rioting began on election Day when the Hindus allegedly prevented the Muslims from voting In November the riots began with the kelpwort religious procession organized by Nav Sangh Club. Its members were dissev er into two groups, one of which was led by the BJP-VHP-RSS. When the procession entered a Muslim locality, slogans were shouted, and crackers were burst. Rumors spread that the graven image was broken by the Muslims.Casualties Dead 50+ Injured Inquiry Commission Result Remarks MayNovember 1991Benaras, UP In Benaras, a large number of Muslims are weavers and they suffered the most during the riots. The rioters were led by the PAC. Most of the Muslims are weavers though some have turned entrepreneurs and are prosperous. The present phase of riots in Benaras is also a result of the growing competition between the prosperous Muslim entrepreneurs and traditional Hindu traders. The police force in Benaras after the Ram Janmabhoomi episode was highly communalized. in the midst of 1967 and 1991 Benaras witnessed 12 communal riots. In November 1991, Instead of the antisocial elements it was the police that looted and terrorized the Muslims. Communal riots erupted on the election Day, beca use the BJP was upset that it would to lose the Meerutcity seat. The Janata Dal candidate received the Muslim and Dalit votes while the BJP got the Hindu votes. There was thus a complete polarization of votes. The violence soon spread to 13 more villages in the area.May 1991 Baroda, UP 4 Hindus, 24 Muslims October 1992 Sitamarhi, Bihara religious procession taken out by one community was stopped by another communityRiots after the demolition of Babri Masjid Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons A bandh was called by a Muslim organization which did not have much of a following among the Muslims. The bandh was followed by the damaging of a dyeing mill and soon the situation deteriorated into a riot. Casualties Dead Less than 200, 95% Muslim Injured Surat has a considerable population of Muslims who are principally into the trading business, and have a close business relationship with the Hindu traders which was the reason attributed for communal harmony in Surat. The unemployment level in the city was also low. But, from the late 80s, there was growing incidents of crime as migrant workers who are not rooted in its culture have settled in the city. The hate campaign by the RSS-BJP combine also added fuel to the situation. The Babri Masjid Action Committee and other Muslim leaders also played with the emotions of the Muslims. The atmosphere in Surat was tense and the Babri Masjid incident provided theopportunity for organizations to start the riots. The manner in which large scale steal and burnings took place revealed that the riots were pre-planned. Inquiry Commission Result Remarks December 1992 Surat Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons the repeated cover of the debris of the Babri Masjid by BBC instigated more violence a Muslim mob attacked a temple which added to the fury 1993 the Shiv Sena seemed to have been preparing for these riotsCasualties Dead 400+ and 600+ mostly due to police firing and mostly Muslims Inj uredInquiry Commission Justice Srikrishna Commission Result Remarks December 1992, January 1993Bombay blamed the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thakeray and Sena activists for the riots. It blamed them for their political role in fomenting communal frenzy and organizing attacks on Muslims. On the role of the Congress government in theState, the Commission observed that inefficient political leadership, vacillation for political reasons and conflicting orders issued to the Commissioner of Police resulted in a dilemma to shoot or not to shoot. 30,000 Muslims were displaced. On 9th December mobs of Hindu men entered Muslim homes, ransacked their belongings, often killing a family member. The main victims during these riots were the poor Muslims and also the middle-class Muslims of BHEL township of Bhopal. The state government was not able to provide the adequate security to the people and the police also played a vital role in aggravating the situation.December 1992 Bhopal 143, majority Muslims Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons A pip in the Hindu Munnani office in MadrasCasualties Dead 4 Injured Inquiry CommissionResult Remarks March 1995 Madras April, 1995 Chitradurga, Karnataka KeralaApril 1995 a quarrel between two groups of bus agents belonging to two different communities Riots broke out between Christians and Muslims. visit by members of the National Minorities CommissionThe flush it was planted by a Muslim youth who was also responsible for planting a run out in the RSS office in August 1993 when 13 people were killed. The Munani was targeted because of a provocative speech delivered by its State President, Rama Gopalan. There was a powerful shoot down in Rameshwaram where a BJP activist was also stabbed to death over the years, there has been an increase in the activities of the RSS-VHP. The Muslim population in the state is quite prosperous as compared to Muslims in other states but again with an increase in the flow of Middle East mone y there has also been an increase in the Muslim fundamentalist activities in many parts of the state. The state has become communally sensitive after the BJP expanded its political base here. It did not have a ultimo history of communal riots A place of worship was damaged in the riots and angle equipment worth several lakhs destroyed The Muslims alleged that the police were a silent spectator. One of the Samajwadi Party leaders alleged that the violence was designed to punish the SP workers by the Mayawati government. Though the village Rajputs supported defusing the conflict, the attitude of the villagehead was instrumental in instigating the violence.June 1995 Rankhandi, UP Hindus objected to the construction of a mosque. After the Mosque was finally constructed, a crowd collected and destroyed it1 in police firing Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons four Muslims were killed in a quarrel over a boundary wall Communal clashes occurred on the occasion of Gana pati processionCasualties Dead 5 InjuredInquiry Commission Result Remarks July 1995 Palmau, Bihar September 1995 Madras and Hyderabad 2 in Hyderaba d 100+January 1998 Kanpur an attack on the Imam of a mosque the protests following it turned to clashes between Hindus and MuslimsFebruary 1998 Ajmer, Rajasthanalleged to have been started by some communal element among the shopkeepers outside the Dargah of Ajmer Sharif local police in the State are highly communalized and the corrupt state of affairs further aids in the occurrence of communal violence In Madras stones were pelted on Muslims who were whirl prayers in a Mosque. It was alleged that the Hindu Munnani leaders had a hand in the clash. The riots in Hyderabad were more serious due to a past history of communal riots in the state. The police claimed that the clashes were an outcome of the Lok Sabha elections which were to take place. Kanpur has also been communally volatile in the past and in the recent years, with the organiza tion of rallies and processions by the BJP the number of such incidents has increased further. The city has a large population of Muslims and the riot was. There are shops owned by the majority community outside the Dargah but houses are of theminority community, and miscreants set these shops and houses alight. A enrolment presented to the Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral alleged that the police entered the Dargah with their topographic point on and lathi charged the people religious offering prayers and also fired in the air.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons riots followed the blasts that killed 60 people it was alleged that the blasts were organized by the al-Ummah and alJihad organizations, aided and abetted by the ISI Casualties Dead Injured Inquiry Commission P.R.Gokulakri shna Commission of Inquiry ResultRemarks February 1998 Coimbatore a definite lapse on the part of the police personnel, deputed for surveillan e and checks, who ought to have disc harged their duties more rigorously, vigilantly and intelligently.May 1998Moradabad, University Press Rioting broke out after an acid bottle was impel on the taziah procession allegedly by BJP supporters riots started when a Muslim mob coming out of a Mosque near the Charminar in the old city went amuck and attacked shops in the area. The trouble began after the circulation of an anonymously produced piece of land lampooning the religious sentiments of Muslims June 1998HyderabadThe target of the attack was allegedly L.K.Advani who was to address an election meeting in the city. The police arrested some 500 people in connection with these blasts. Coimbatore had witnessed communal riots in 1997 as well and the Hindu Munnani activists were alleged to have played a key role in those riots. While L.K.Advani escaped the attack, BJP got a lot of sympathy votes. Coimbatore has also been a center of Muslim fundamentalist activities and the BJP has been trying to expand its political base in the city. Around 80 people were arrested including several political leaders who tried to visit the riot affected areas. The Moradabad riots took a serious turn in the main due to the alleged involvement of the political parties. the army was alerted and the Union Home Ministry was urged to send the Para-military force. There were different reasons given for the occurrence of the riots but all pointed the responsibility of the different political parties. An ex-mayor of the city who was accused of distributing these pamphlets surrendered, and there were five more arrests made in this connection.Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists terrorized the Muslim community over some Muslim boys marrying tribal girlsCasualties Dead 2 Injured Inquiry Commission ResultRemarks July 1998 Bardoli and Sanjeli, Gujarat October 1998Nalanda and clashes erupted over the Mungher, Bihar issue of immersion of the Durga idol in the Katrapar locality i n Nalanda Ahwa and the BJP and Bajrang Dal Dang districts, attacked Christian Gujarat churches Suratkul, Karnataka Manoharpur, Orissa an eve-teasing incident involving a Muslim boy and a Hindu girl Graham Staines, an Australian-born Christian Missionary was burnt alive along with his two children by VHP activists led by Dara SinghThe VHP consider the tribals as Hindus and held dharma sabhas in these villages. After every such event, Muslim shops were looted and burnt. The police was asked to stay away and threatened with being transferred. Marriages between Hindu girls and Muslim boys are opposed by these organizations and Christians too have come under attack in many parts of Gujarat. Some 200 copies of the Bible were burnt by the Sangh Parivar activists claiming that they were a means to convert the people. The leaders of various political parties tried to gain political mileage out of the incident. In Munger, 27 people including three policemen were injured. Though a peace commit tee was constituted by the state home minister, the committee members traded charges and Christians were even accused by the members of being naxalites. The riots continued in January the following year and were encouraged by the Hindu Jagran Vedike After the Babri Masjid attack when the VHP and Bajrang Dal could not attract the support of the masses, they started following a new strategy by attacking churches.December 1998 January 1999CM JH.Patel ordered an interrogatory The Wadhwa Commissionconcluded that Dara Singh was responsible for the killings, but did not see the hand of any other communal organization.Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons riots broke out after two people were killed on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti and Idul Fitr. Riots broke out again in July after an Indo-Pak cricket match Casualties Dead 1 Injured Inquiry Commission Result Remarks January-July 1999 Ahmedabad July 1999 Harda, MP September 1999 December 1999 Surat Auranagabad December 2000Kolhapur, Karnataka a communal mob confronted the police and the Deputy Superintendent of police was killed. violence broke out during the Ganapati festival a procession of Muslims and the Samajwadi party members to mark the seventh anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid was lathi- charged by the police riots broke out when some people of the minority community did not close their shops after a bandh was called by the Shiv Sena over the killing of an Army Jawan in a bomb explosion in Kashmir 29 In the second incident, there was an organized attempt to distribute crackers among the youngsters. The cricket match incident was followed by the Kargilwar, when demonstrations were held against Pakistan in which both Hindus and Muslims participated. However, in many demonstrations offensive slogans were raised. Curfew was clamped in the area and the violence continued for a couple of days. about 90 persons were arrested in this connection. 27 government ordered a judicial dou bt The riots were a result of a dispute over the route to be taken by the procession The Shiv Sena had flooded the whole area with saffron flags meet before the riots. Several journalists were injured in the police lathicharge. The police had also permitted the Shiv Sena to organize a religious ceremony just before the riots broke out. The shops which did not close were lapidate by a 10,000 strong crowd. a few injured Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons after the Jama Masjid was gutted due to a short circuitCasualties Dead Injured Inquiry Commission Result Remarks January 2001 Kishtwar, Jammu March 2001 March, 2001Nalanda, Bihar Kanpur two groups clashed on the occasion of Holi in Shambhu village the protest surround taken out by the Students Islamic driving of India (SIMI) over the burning of a copy of the playscript turned violentThe state came under the composition of communal politics after the emergence of the Jamaat-i-Islami which began as a cultura l organization. After it won 5 seats in the group elections, it started showing its communal colors. There are many other communal organizations that have come up now in Kashmir and terrorist activities further encourage communal violence. Over the years the BJP has also gained some political mileage in the state. Superintendent of Police brought the situation under control The procession was fired upon by the PAC killing 12 persons, all young Muslim boys. The PAC was itself a party to the plunder that followed. The SIMI has spread communal poison over the years and instigated the minds of Muslim youths through provocative posters. In spite of its controversial role the PAC is deployed as soon as a disturbance emerges. The procession was taken out to demand the arrest of people who were involved in the construction of a religious structure in a village near by.April 2001 Beawar, Rajasthana VHP-BJP procession was stoned and miscreants threw bottles of acid on itYear Location Commun ities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons violence erupted after the murder of a youth belonging to the minority community following an incident of eve teasing Casualties Dead InjuredInquiry Commission ResultRemarks June 2001 Chamrajnagar, Mysore Jamner, Maharashtra June 2001 July 2001 Moradabad, UP a gang of miscreants attacked the houses of the minority communityAugust 2001 August 2001 Amravani, Maharashtra Ahmedabad October 2001 Malegaon, MaharashtraShiv Sainiks attacked Muslims who were taking their kine for slaughter hawkers belonging to the minority community were beaten up in the Maninagar area. arrest of a Muslim youth distributing pamphlets outside a Mosque 2 1 in police firing 30 10, including 4 policemen several12 persons were taken into custody after the riots. Arson and looting took place on a large scale but there was no loss of life. Many people came out into the streets carrying swords and began looting and burning property. The population of Muslims in this town happen s to be quite substantial, whereas Sarpanch and the MLA both belonged to the BJP. Those involved in the looting and arson fled the town and were not arrested even several days after the incidents. no one was arrested. The police said that the motive behind the clashes could have been robbery. But, a deputation of the Jamait-ul-Ulema visited the village and refuted the police theory, because those killed were very poor and had hardly anything in their houses worth robbing. The police arrested 70 persons in this connection. Four Bajrang Dal activists were arrested for inciting violence.13, including 3 in police firing Year LocationCommunities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons the burning at Godhra, of a coach of the Sabarmati utter which was coming from Ayodhya, carrying kar sevaksCasualties Dead 2000+ InjuredInquiry Commission More than 30 reports have been prepared by various committees. On March 6, 2002, inquiry committee under Justice (Rtd.) KG Shah and Justice Nanavati established Result Remarks February, 2002 Ahmedabad, GujaratTheir common finding has been that it was a dark-skinned carnage and not a riot in the usual sense.The violence continued for about a month. The administration as well as the government did nothing to control the violence and right-wing organizations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal got full support in spreading violence. The Modi government benefited from all this as the BJP won the Assembly elections in December, 2002.February 2002 Kaithal, Haryana linked to the Gujarat violence March 2002 March 2002Bhivani district, a mob of 300 persons Haryana were incited by rumors of cow slaughter Rajasthan violence occurred on the occasion of Muharram. The immediate reason for the violence was the organization of a yagna in a temple by the VHP, BJP and Bajrang DalMobs pulled down a Mosque and considerable damage was done to property. The police made feeble attempts to stop the mob, which later razed the Macesoleum of Pir Nurani Badshah and extensiv ely damaged three others. two mosques and 15 shops and houses belonging to the Muslims were attacked The population of the area comprises 25 percent Muslims and was once considered to be a stronghold of the SIMI.Year Location Communities/Organizati ons involved/Reasons riots began when some Muslim organizations led by the Muslim Vikas Parishad gave the call for a bandh to protest against a Christian Baptist priest in the US describing the Prophet as a terrorist Celebrations over Indias win against Pakistan in the World Cup turned violent Casualties Dead 9 Injured cxv Inquiry Commission Result Remarks October 2002 Sholapur, MaharashtraThe protestors went in procession after prayers on Friday afternoon and threw stones at a Navratri pandal. The Hindus retaliated and riots broke out.. 500 arrested.March 2003 Gujarat 1 in Gujarat 9 several elsewhere several quasi(prenominal) incidents also took place in Vadodara, Gorakhpur, Gajrawadi, Kolkata and Bangalore Marad was a case of planned a ttack when some well armed men came and killed members of a particular community.May 2003 Marad, Kerala About the Author B Rajeshwari is a Research savant at the Center for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is writing her MPhil dissertation titled Power, Knowledge and Globalisation A Case Study of TRIPS. Her research interests include issues relating to Communal Violence, Governance and Development. Currently she is Research Assistant at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.