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Naroda Patia may be a hard nut to crack for BJP
Ahmedabad, Nov 28: In Naroda Patia, one of the worst affected areas of riot-hit Gujarat, capitalising on the communal divide may be a tough task for the Modi government.
The Hindus even hosted an Iftar party for their Muslim neighbours on Wednesday in the area, where the tell-tale signs of violence are slowly fading except from the minds of the people who shudder at the thought of another riot.
"I saw the mob attack my neighbours. We have been living together for 20 years. Won't I feel bad. The government did not do anything," says Hansa Ben, who lost her house in the riots.
The area, which falls in the Naroda Assembly constituency, wears a new look today with the Islamic Relief Committee reconstructing 551 houses, including around 80 for the Hindus.
Sushila Pandit, who gave shelter to several Muslim women during the mob attack at the Jikar Hussain Chawl, says, "They did not see who was a Muslim and who a Hindu. We will vote where everyone here decides."
Maya Kodnani, BJP's sitting MLA who has been renominated from Naroda, dismisses the anger against BJP as that being expressed by only a small section of her over four lakh strong constituency. Abdul Hamid Akbar of the Islami Relief Committee is quite confident that the violence will not be repeated. "It was all planned. When the minority is attacked, the majority community also suffers losses."
The residents also spit fire at the Modi government for trying to spoil the "good old relationship" between the communities.
"We have been living here together for years," says Mohammad Hussain Sheikh, Trustee of the Noorani Masjid, which was vandalised during the riots.
Memories of February still haunt most of the residents. Haja Moinuddin, a tailor who has recently set up his shop again after spending six months in the Shah Alam camp, fears some Muslims may disappear a couple of days before polling to other places fearing violence and not vote. Bureau Report