– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi/Mumbai, Jan. 25: Condemning the Mumbai police’s unilateral action in Shanti Nagar, Mira Road, following Hindutva goons’ attacks on Muslims and their shops on the eve of the Ram Mandir inauguration, Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit faction) general secretary Syed Jalaluddin said on Wednesday that the culprits would be brought to justice.
Leading a delegation, Jalaluddin presented a memorandum to the police. He informed the law enforcement officers that while rioters engaged in violent acts, brandishing offensive signs, and insulting citizens, the on-site police did nothing. The police ought to prevent the miscreants from upsetting the neighborhood’s social atmosphere. He urged everyone to preserve calm and tranquility, saying that the police should deal with those who threaten it and show zero tolerance for antisocial behavior.
The NCP leader noted that the biased media coverage of this entire situation is abhorrent and is hurting the country’s reputation. He stated, “There were witness accounts and CCTV footage showing the rioters’ inappropriate behavior towards Muslim girls and their incitement of violence, but no media outlet was exposing this dark side of the mob.”
Jalaluddin further said the police commissioner will also be picketed if justice is not served, considering the facts and evidence. He declared, “Our guiding principles are to act against the oppressor and support those who have suffered.”
He informed he had discussed this matter with party officials who are closely monitoring the situation. There is a current round of discussions and meetings with the police officers. “Justice, not favors of any kind, is what we are demanding. To achieve justice, we believe everyone should uphold the constitution, minorities should not be singled out for discrimination, and the majority of society should also work toward achieving peace and justice.”
He urged people to exercise patience.
On Tuesday, a gang of more than 200–300 men converged on Mumbai’s Sector 5 in Shanti Nagar to target Muslim shops while they spared businesses with saffron flags bearing the words “Jai Shri Ram.” They tried to enter Mira Road’s Muslim society, where they abused girls and beat up teenage boys.
According to The Wire, the crowd barged into Shamsher Alam’s boutique and pelted stones. Almost all young attackers had backpacks and appeared to have stored big stones in them. They hurled stones at the shop, destroyed glass panes and mannequins placed outside the boutique, and moved ahead. “It was all over within 30 seconds,” Alam added.
The crowd had then moved to other shop establishments belonging to Muslims in the neighboring lane. Even as the attack continued, local police were seen standing on the street, just 20 meters away. “But they didn’t stop the mob. It was almost as if the police were there for the mob’s safety,” he alleged.
Advocate Sachin Salvi, who was representing the victims, said after a protracted legal battle with the police, four FIRs were eventually filed. One of them was defending a sixteen-year-old boy who had been attacked by a mob while driving. The boy was admitted to hospital. Salvi stated that although the police were hesitant to file FIRs, they eventually did so when we remained unyielding.
