-Mohammad Naushad Khan
New Delhi: On the 5th anniversary of the Northeast Delhi riots, Karwan-e-Mohabbat hosted an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, bringing together civil society members, diplomats, lawyers, and human rights defenders to stand in solidarity with victims.
John Dayal, addressing the gathering, highlighted the broader struggle for justice, citing delays in Meerut and Moradabad cases and the recent conviction of Sajjan Kumar. He criticized the “reversed justice system,” where victims are targeted while FCRA restrictions hinder organizations aiding them.
A short film, Mazhab Nahi Sikhata, by Karwan-e-Mohabbat was screened, emphasizing religious harmony through poetry: “No religion teaches hate. Our garden of singing birds has no place for thorns.”
Harsh Mander lamented broken communal ties, stating the denial of justice and compensation post-2020 was worse than Gujarat 2002. “We stand with you in your pain,” he affirmed. A tribute followed, with the names of riot victims read aloud as the audience observed silence.
Survivors recounted the brutalities they faced. One described watching rioters kill and burn his brother’s body, struggling for a year to claim its remains. Another was given a wrongly named compensation check with no redress. A young man recalled police officers mocking his injured family, while a doctor tried to force them out of the hospital. Their testimonies deeply moved the audience.
The findings of Uncertain Justice were discussed, with Deb Mukharji defending its credibility despite government criticism. Gopal Pillai and Ashok Sharma condemned the Centre, the Home Ministry, and Delhi Police for failing to prevent the violence. Pillai slammed the police for biased investigations, wrongful UAPA imprisonments, and a lack of accountability. Sharma pointed out that agitators like Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur, who incited violence, were rewarded with public office.
APCR’s Nadeem Khan detailed how police and government officials ignored complaints and even assaulted hospital workers and volunteers. He noted that, for the first time in India’s history, not a single conviction was secured in a communal violence case, blaming ineffective lawyers and a biased judiciary.
Journalist Qurban Ali highlighted government bias, revealing that filing a PIL against hate speech led to a police FIR against him.
Karwan-e-Mohabbat released The Absent State, exposing government negligence in compensating victims. Despite initial relief, most survivors received nothing substantial, making this the worst compensation failure in India’s history.
Advocate Suroor Mander noted that while the Delhi government initially provided compensation for riot deaths, it later abandoned efforts. Akanksha Rao cited bureaucratic failures and pandemic-related disruptions that led to wrongful claim rejections. Mahenaz Khan and Tarannum stressed that Karwan-e-Mohabbat’s support was filling a governmental void, as education, healthcare, and women’s security remain neglected.
Gufran exposed the dire state of government hospitals, where inadequate facilities led to preventable deaths. Dilshad, who helped file 130 claims, described officials deliberately delaying and rejecting compensation applications to intimidate victims.
Chirayu criticized the compensation commission for ignoring victims’ voices and appointing unqualified loss assessors. He cited Mumtiaz Ali’s case, where authorities dismissed photographic evidence of his destroyed shop.
Harsh Mander thanked Salman Khurshid for hosting the event. Khurshid denounced the failure to aid riot victims, calling it a betrayal of democracy.
Navsharan Singh warned against the state’s counternarrative that solidarity defames the majority. She pointed to the Farmers’ Protest as an example of real unity.
Zoya Hasan and Rahul Mukherji analyzed political failures leading to the 2020 violence, emphasizing how the CAA provoked India’s largest Muslim-led movement since the 1930s. Mukherji underscored the need for secularism by tracing India’s history of pluralism.
A BBC documentary, Delhi Dangon Ke Mamlon Mein Bari Kyong Ho Rahe Hain Log, was screened, revealing that over 80% of riot cases were dismissed due to police manipulation. Judge Vinod Yadav confirmed that investigative agencies deliberately neglected their duties.
Prashant Bhushan accused the BJP government of judicial interference, alleging that judges favorable to the party receive promotions, while independent judges are sidelined. He warned that investigative agencies are weaponized to blackmail judges.
Chander Uday Singh noted judicial recognition of police misconduct, asserting that documented evidence should spark nationwide outrage and legal action.
The event concluded with renewed calls for justice, accountability, and comprehensive victim support.
