Kolkata, Aug 09: Qutubuddin Ansari, the traumatic face of the Gujarat riots, and his family found a new home in the metropolis today hoping to finally settle peacefully after being hounded out of home town Ahmedabad. Ansari, who hit global headlines after photographs of his tear-soaked face and folded hands became synonymous with the plight of Gujarat riot victims last year, has been given asylum by the CPI(M) and a few of its mass organisations.
Amazed at the presence of hordes of cameramen, Ansari, with son, daughter and wife, had a tough time detraining from the Geetanjali Express at the Howrah station before leaving for his new home in park circus area of the city.
The electronic media was disappointed as a tight-lipped Ansari was rushed to his new home without giving them a sound byte, though he later spoke to scribes briefly.
"I have faced a lot of problems everywhere I went after the Gujarat riots. Now in West Bengal, I wish I can lead a peaceful life," Ansari said.
Thankful to the secular organisations which gave him asylum in Kolkata, the middle-aged tailor was optimistic of leading a normal life in a state 'known for its secular image".
Ansari, who fled his homeland in the aftermath of the Gujarat riots, was offered asylum by secular groups some time ago after he was socially boycotted by his peers, who alleged that he had "portrayed Gujarat in a bad light".
West Bengal Minorities Development Minister Md Salim said Ansari became the favourite punching bag of his neighbours, who made snide remarks and taunted him into leaving Ahmedabad.
"But now that he is here, we hope to bring a semblance of peace and economic empowerment back into his life," he added. Bureau Report