Gujarat: Divided communities
Friday 15 August 2008
Located in the west of India, the state of Gujarat is at the border with Pakistan. In this region where relations between Hindus and Muslims have always been tense, the two communities are now separated by a wall.
Friday 15 August 2008
By FRANCE 24 (text) / Lise Thomas-Richard, Constantin Simon (video)Located in the west of India on the border with Pakistan, the State of Gujarat has been caught in ongoing tensions between Muslims and Hindus.
Gujarat hit the headlines last month after 49 people died in a series of explosions in the capital Ahmedabad. A Muslim militant group, ‘the Indian Mujahedeen,’ claimed responsibility for the attacks, which are still being investigated.
But Muslims now live in fear of reprisals and many are still haunted by the memories of the dramatic incidents that happened six years before.
On the 27th of February 2002, a train transporting Hindu pilgrims was set on fire in the town of Godhra. Fifty eight died.
In a act of revenge, the Hindus targeted the Muslim community and massacred between 1000 and 2 000 of them.
Seven years later, Muslims still suffer discrimination. A number of them have had to flee their homes and villages without any form of compensation.
Hindu nationalists, who have been in power since 1995, keep society under close surveillance. They accuse young Muslims of wanting to wreck chaos in India on behalf of Pakistan.
In Ahmedabad, once Gandhi’s adopted home, the two communities live side by side but separated by a six-metre-high wall. Four hundred thousands Muslims live east of the wall and as many Hindus on the western side.
But isolation is driving a growing number of Hindus and Muslims towards radicalism, demonstrated by the development of the Deobandi movement, which preaches a radical version of Islam.
02/09/2008 23:08:40 Alert a moderator
Reporting Is Free
By Jaffer -
Also, I will like to remove the image that In India reporters can be caught if trying to interview people. The first people to break the Gujurat news to the world were Hindu reporters from Tehelka. Rajdeep Sardesai etc. The commercial aspects can not be ignored by these guys as well. As a Muslim I first did wanted the news to be over hyped but then realised that political parties and some radicalists are trying to play their own games with the news. Anyway damage done and people have also learnt that fighting is no solution. But I wish the hindu nationalists do realise that all Muslims are not bad and some of my Muslim brothers also understand that Islam stands for peace and goodness. Muslims need to unite and vote for Congress in the next elections so that the hindu nationalists dont take power in new delhi as they have in gujurat.
02/09/2008 23:00:43 Alert a moderator
Sensationalism
By Jaffer -
I am a Muslim from India. I dont feel the tensions are so radicalised as is shown. In 2002 a Muslim became a president of India as well. Things are not that bad. But Gujurat and Kashmir are exceptions. I feel India is also a mixture of so many religions, languages and people that their is bound to be friction. India is the hope for the world.
26/08/2008 16:06:04 Alert a moderator
World news agency should Report on Gujarat as French doing.
By Mustafa - India
The genocide done by Gujarati people whole world knows How mr Modi killed thousands of innocent muslims children to old people. Even after seven years muslims are living with fear of evil Mr. Modi. This is due to lack of education and Fake Hindu Babas or Gurus to whom Gujarati people worship. I think its a clear genocide of the Gujarat Chief Minister in the name of Democracy.For your information now Hindu killing Christians in the State of Orissa since two days so its clear that how Indian Hindu are in the path of killing rather that nude dancing in front of Statue.
24/08/2008 21:38:16 Alert a moderator
news
By joseph walker - sherborne dorset.uk
Muslim have a country living in india ,its called pakistan ,they welcomed to leave if they dont like thier nieghbours the hindus.majority of muslims living in india have adopted india as thier country ,and enjoy they lifestyles.all ethics in any country around the world have an option if you dont like the country your living in and adopted leave.ps hasnt france got a lot of mulsims or islamist ?are they trouble free.
24/08/2008 01:38:45 Alert a moderator
Why France's reporting on India is being challenged.
By K.V.Tellis - Canada, Mississauga
It is not that France has said anything wrong, but the very fact that has has given an honest view of India which makes the likes of people like Dr, Sibhi Ganapathy annoyed. As it is in India no reporter is allowed free reign on what goes on. A reporter can be arrested by the police if caught interviewing people for his newspaper or a TV. channel.
Forget the theory that India is a democracy, because it has not been a democracy since August 15, 1947. Nut of course the Indian press believe that they are allowed to go overseas and interview people freely. What is what is all the more arrogant about India, is its considers itself to be above international ;laqws.
18/08/2008 21:20:22 Alert a moderator
Walls
By Dr. Sibhi Ganapathy - Bangalore
A typical example of stupid French reporting. I have many muslim friends in Ahmedabad and the walled city as reported is part of the old city of Ahmedabad, (a la Carcassone). So yes living inside would put you inside a walled area.
Why does the media of France feel so theatened by secular India? Does it perhaps like the muslim terrorists of say,.. Pakistan?