– Raheem Khan
Jaipur, Aug 21: In response to the recent tragic death of a student in Udaipur, various civil society organizations in Rajasthan convened a joint meeting at the APCR office in Adarsh Nagar here to address the ensuing communal tensions and violence. The meeting was attended by representatives from Daman Pratirodh Andolan Rajasthan, Rajasthan Muslim Forum, Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity Rajasthan, Rajasthan Nagarik Manch, Masih Shakti Rajasthan, and Jan Samprabhuta Sangh, all of whom expressed deep concern over the situation.
The meeting strongly condemned the knife attack that led to the death of Devraj, a student, and extended heartfelt condolences to his family. The attendees demanded that the state government provide appropriate compensation to the bereaved family and offer them the strength to bear the loss.
Amidst rising concerns over the incident being given a communal color, the gathering urged the government to take immediate action against those responsible for the violence and arson that followed. They called for a thorough investigation to identify the elements trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state and stressed the need for strict legal action against them.
Criticism was also leveled at the state government’s handling of the situation, particularly the demolition of the accused student’s rented house under what was termed the ‘bulldozer culture’. The meeting condemned the arrest of the accused’s father, Salim Sheikh, and demanded his immediate release, asserting that his detention was unlawful. They also urged the government to rebuild the demolished house for its rightful owner and to take firm action against the rioters.
The civil society groups collectively demanded justice for the deceased student, accountability from those inciting communal discord, and an impartial investigation to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining communal harmony and urged the state government to act decisively in preserving peace in Rajasthan.
