New Delhi, Feb. 28: Karwan-e-Mohabbat organised a tribute to commemorate the 4th anniversary of 2020 Delhi communal riots at Jawahar Bhawan here Tuesday.
Families of riot victims, survivors, civil society representatives, human rights activists, and students attended the program and shared their experiences. The event aimed to provide a platform for reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to justice. Senior Advocates Prashant Bhushan and CU Singh attended the event with Sayeeda Hameed.
Speakers underscored the continuous struggles for adequate compensation and legal support, highlighting systemic shortcomings in addressing the needs of victims and survivors. The program featured screenings of documentaries, “Mazab Nahi Sikhata” by Sandeep Yadav and “Hospital Friends” by Minal Saeed Khan, depicting stories of riot victims and survivors.
In opening remarks, Harsh Mander, founder of Karwan-e-Mohabbat, expressed solidarity with affected communities, emphasising the importance of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. The participants shared harrowing accounts of neglect and mistreatment during the riots, underscoring the urgent need for action from the administration and institutional support.
Chaired by Devika Prasad, a panel of speakers shed light on the failure of state authorities to provide adequate compensation and relief to victims. They emphasised the pressing need for reparation from the Claims Commission, established four years ago to provide compensation.
Chaired by Advocate Suroor Mander, another panel discussed challenges in the legal proceedings. It was emphasised the moral obligation of the government to compensate the victims.
They urged collective action to ensure justice for all.
It was also felt that the Delhi government including the Central government have so far done nothing substantially and far from satisfactory and not able to reach out to the victims. The attitudes of the police and administrations so far are not sympathetic towards victims and survivors of riots.
Most of the speakers noted that amidst despair, we should not lose our confidence and hope. And, battle must be carried forward in coming days by joining our hands together.
