Aymen’s Page

In the year 1981, Punjab and Sikhism were the hottest topics in the Indian subcontinent. A Sikh gentleman, by the name Jarnail Singh Bhrindanwale was turning into a celebrity for his notoriety. What he did was, perhaps more interesting than the Lal Masjid operation recently becoming famous in Pakistan.

Bhrindanwale, and his group of militant friends took over the Golden Temple, they did nothing more than occupy it and hold the Temple hostage, rather than the people. The then PM of India, Indira Gandhi was famous for a lot of things, mostly for her iron will – she sought to solve the problem herself.

Thus, India witnessed with open eyes, the birth of it’s relationship with terrorism(yet to gain the Muslim tag). She ordered a military operation, famously known as Operation Bluestar.

Of course it didn’t end here, in the land of the Vedas, it never does. Indira Gandhi, one good morning was assasinated by two Sikh bodyguards(who weren’t removed after the Operation, IG was fiercely secular).The assasination was followed by a lot of things, but the most immediate affect was on the Sikhs of Delhi, most of them weren’t blessed with the morning sun – Some call it the anti-Sikh riots in actuality it was a full fledged genocide by Indira Gandhi’s party workers. It is interesting to read it up, here.

The Genocide’s preparators are still free, they roam around with pride, some even hold cabinet posts in the Indian National Congress’ rule.

One might also throw in the Action-Reaction theory, but it never works. Sikh youth, were picked up, shot down and detained with no respect for their personal integrity – all goes to the story of the Khalistan Movement.

The Sikhs of India, were treated as Muslims of the world were treated. Even then, Muslims were not a very respected nation amongst themselves – riots were common.

Islamic Terrorism never took it’s birth, until the free Kashmir movement gained strength, simultaneously with the rise of Al-Qaida and Taliban. Muslims in India weren’t branded as terrorists. Arabic, Mullahs and Madrassas were respected  among the majority(read sensible) Hindus.

History of Riots

One might blame the Muslims for separatist tendencies whether in Palestine, Kashmir or India. The partition was no joke, it resulted in widespread killings, rape, arson and loot. Mostly done by Muslims. The partition has a lesser known history too – that of Hindu “nationalism” in other words the creation of Pakistan didn’t happen because Jinnah(a scotch drinker, who loved Muslims) wanted a separate nation of Muslims, it happened because there were few Hindus who themselves wanted two separate nations – One for Hindus and another for Muslims. The two nation theory was put up by Jinnah and vociferously supported by a “freedom fighter” and a “nationalist” known as “Veer” Saravarkar.

For more, read Abdaal Akhtar’s “Pakistan, Who’s Child is it?”

The Partition remained a blot on the Indian subcontinent. A sense of hostility remained between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims for a long time. Pakistan was seen as an agressor over Indian lands, and the word Pakistan  was reason enough for riots in India.

Riots were commonplace in India, and remain so even now. These small skirmishes usually turn into hostilities. Small reasons, such as a Muslim shooing a Hindu owned cow could lead to widespread arson. Sometimes there are reasons like a Hindu girl converting to Islam, so that she can marry her lover. The rich father doesn’t like compromising on his social status, he sends some thugs to fix the “pakistani” the Muslim kid doesn’t take it kindly he beats the thugs black and blue. This, is seen as an attack on the community which results in the killings of around 2000 people on both sides.

So, is it the Indian Muslim who is to be blamed?Is it the Hindu? Actually, neither. Politicians in India remain crooked, they have associate thugs who work under names like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh , the Vishwa Hindu Parishad & the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen. They claim that they are the torchbearers of Hinduism and Islam, they are neither. Both have their political obligations to fulfill and thus we have them polarising two peaceful communities.

Every riot that takes place, is usually in an RSS, VHP, SS or other like organisation’s stronghold. These aren’t normal Hindus or Muslims who flare up communal sentiments, these are usually planned attacks. There is hardly anything spontaneous. The Congress Party, which ruled India for most of it’s 60 years, is no sarcosanct party, it’s administrators at the grassroots level usually were apthetic to minor skirmishes which later transferred into huge riots. Here, a good one will be the rios in 1964 Calcutta and Jamshedpur caused because of business rivalry between the Hindus and the Muslims, particularly in The liquor trade in Rourkela 2000 people ,mostly Muslims were killed The reason? Reaction to the atrocities committed against Hindus in East Pakistan(Now Bangladesh). The police, local administration and the government were either inefficient or turned a blind eye.

One should here, remember the father of majority of riots in India – The Bhartiya Janata Party, it’s Hindutva ideology and hypocritical acts. A good observation here, about the birth of the orignal BJP, earlier known as Janata Party

It was around 1964-65 that communal disturbances began to occur in Aurangabad. The Jamait-e-Islami did not have any active branches till about 1964. The Jan Sangh in the fourth general elections found the first  opportunity to approach the masses on a purely communal platform since opposing Congress candidate in Aurangabad was a Muslim.

And for the Congress:

The Congress was not far behind in spreading communal feelings. Most Congressmen participated directly or indirectly in the riots and called the Muslims anti-national. The Hindu Dharma Rakshak Samiti was formed at this time. Its members were largely middle class Hindus.

And for the Muslims:

Three months before the riots(Malur, Karnataka, 1984) a Harijan woman was raped by three Muslim youths and it was the communal, rather than the criminal aspect of the problem, that received much importance. Soon, another incident of molestation of a Hindu girl by a Muslim boy took place. The RSS took full advantage of the situation, and instigated some militant Hindus to take revenge. Soon after, trouble erupted leading to large-scale damage to Muslim property. Communal disturbances in Malur were unknown before the advent of the RSS.

Most riots, in the riots database trace their origins to silly reasons or reasons that could be used as political agendas. Muslims, Christians and Sikhs were usually the one’s who were targetted, of course the Muslims have had their own history of starting riots, but it will never match the history the “nationalistic” Sangh Parivar(as it is known today).

The more famous riots, specially clashes between Hindus and Muslims began after the congenital Communals took presence in the national scene, and how they did they do it? They demolished a mosque, for more on the information  - do search with the keywords “ayodhya” “babri” “masjid” “hindu” “muslim”.

The riots that followed were neither controlled nor controllable.

The mobilization campaign for Kar Sevaks to construct the proposed Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple at Ayodhya on 30th October 1990 aggravated thecommunal atmosphere in the country. Communal riots occurred in the wake of L.K.Advani’s Rath Yatra wherever it went.. These riots were led by RSS-BJP men to consolidate the‘Hindu’ vote bank. They were widespread over almost all the states from Assam to West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi.

The April to December 1990  January and April 1991 period witnessed nothing more than a blood bath. The nation wasn’t divided between blacks and whites, burgeiose and poor or slaves and slave owners. These divisions were superficial, the  hindu-muslim cleavage was at it’s zenith. A BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani went on a rath yatra from Somnath to a lot of places. And where ever the devil went, the nation witnessed riots between Hindus and Muslims. The BJP in an election mood, went on a rioting spree the smallest of the incidents(such as an Auto hitting a Hindu boy) were turned into a full time riot. There were around 80 full fledged riots and some 1400 small “incidents” with casualties in single digits.

LK Advani (also known as AdolfVani). From 1989-92, Advani and his cohorts started more than 80 riots throughout India that claimed more than 30,000 lives, 12,000 in Bhagalpur alone where victims of mass murder were buried in shallow cauliflower fields. It then demolished the 400 year old Babri Masjid, claiming it to be the Ram Janambhoomi Temple in the absence of any archaeological evidence

- Abdaal Akhtar

The Birth of Islamic Terrorism in India

Bombay(now Mumbai) is the commercial capital of the country, the most developed city with the best infrastructure and houses the largest slum in the world. It is also always on the target of “Islamists”.

From December 1992 to January 1993 the city witnessed riots, The microphone systems in Mosques were used to call Muslims for Jehad after attacks on Muslim workplaces and localities. The riots were fueled by the Babri Masjid demolition, and the anger that was in the Muslim community. The Shiv Sena, a Hindu-Maratha ethno centric party played the role of a vent. A Temple was attacked by a Muslim mob, the Shiv Sena grabbed the moment, they had been waiting already. The deaths were somewhere around 600. Muslims were searched for, and killed ruthlessly of course Muslims had their share of murders too.

This riot known as Bombay 1993 was the semen for what followed, if this was Bombay 1993 what followed would be remembered as the new born. The Bombay 1993 serial blasts, that ripped the city apart there were the deadliest in Indian history. The bomb blasts killed 250 civillians, injured 700 and brought the country to a stand still. The damage was done, and the revenge taken. Muslims, who were being killed routinely  like New  Yorkers eat Hot Dogs breathed a sigh of relief. This blast put an end to attacks on both the sides for sometime at least.

Muslims, hailed the blasts. Widows, Orphaned children and mothers who lost their children – all thanked God, even if their mind didn’t want to. Thus, India knew the meaning of bomb blasts and them being synonmous with Muslims.

Blasts, since then have become routine to the Indian nation, they’ve always followed, with duty after riots.

Terrorism, and how much of it is Muslim

India like Iraq has adapted itself to casualties, people read it in the newspapers and turn the page. Terrorism, in India can be divided into 4 groups.

1.Separatist Attacks

2.Unclaimed Attacks(Always end up with a Muslim suspect or a forgotten case or a suspected foreign hand)

3.Left Wing Terrorism

4.Communal Riots(A Monopoly of the Sangh Parivar)

1.Separatism

The major players are in the North Eastern part of the country, and Kashmir. The The United Liberation Front of Asom is one of the oldest terrorist organization known. It has successfully conducted 749 blasts, and a lot of killings on the non-Assamese residents. They are proud people who kill and after which call press conferences and often issue press releases. Click Here for a detailed table of incidents involving the organization. Another famous one

Assam has been a theatre of massacre for a long time, riots between native Bodos and immigrant Bangladeshis have escalated taking the toll to 54. This isn’t a Bodo-Muslim riot, it is more of a Bodo-Bangla riot. Inaction over the sealing of border between India and Bangladesh is the biggest reason for this, native Muslims were killed by Bangla Muslims here.

There are other small players like the National Liberation Front of Tripura a truly Christian terrorist organization. For more on the NLFT’s contribution to the industry of murder – Click Here.

Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura form the North East of the country, this part of the nation has been neglected for years, separatist tendencies would be natural here. The links take you to an un-glamorlized world of death, killing and terrorism.

Kashmir is a disputed area, between India and Pakistan. Kashmiris are an indigenous nation among themselves, the separatist forces are divided into two types a)Armed b)Peaceful, democratic.

The Armed struggle, funded by the Pakistani government has gained a lot of publicity, their track record is no better than their North Eastern counterparts. The number of casualties has decreased in recent times, yet the situation in Kashmir remains volatile year round.

2.Unknown Bomb Explosions

If you are an Indian, you know that you might die in a bomb blast – anywhere. Bombs blow up in major Indian cities at places where the population density is higher than in other areas. These places include places of worship, bazaars, railways and Hindu/Muslim majority residential areas.

Until last year, no group claimed responsibility about the blasts, but after every blast names that crop up are – Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami. A foreign hand is claimed by our politicians but never do we find much more than this.

But are we forgetting something? Temples and Market places aren’ the only paces that were blown up. Muslim localities and Mosques have had their share. I always wonder what would make a Muslim blow up more Muslims. The “initial investigations” usually pick up Muslim kids studying in Madrassas.

The Jehadi angle needs no explanation, now, let me give you an explanation about the “nationalist” angle.

The number of Muslims arrested with explosives in mainland India is rare, but here is something that didn’t make it to the front page.

Hiralal Ramchandra Rotre, 25, was arrested for illegal possession of explosives. He was working as a driver.

“Investigations are underway to determine the exact nature of the explosives recovered. Among the things found in Rotre’s house were six bottles of a suspicious-looking liquid, each weighing about 200 gm,” Police Commissioner K.L. Bishnoi said.

Oh common, now your going to base your argument on this? No, let’s anaylyse the bomb blasts that took place in not-so-common places:

Three bomb explosions at Malegaon town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. The first explosion occurred outside the Bada Kabristan, a burial ground at the heart of the old city. The area near the burial ground was crowded with people who had gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat (night of salvation). The second explosion occurred near a mosque while the third occurred at Mushawarat Chowk. The explosives reportedly had been rigged to bicycles.

Malegaon is a Muslim majority area, the suspects are of course LET and SIMI, but not many are convinced of this. Of course we don’t know, since there haven’t been any “breakthroughs” since 2006. Let’s read something more, shall we? Something more sinister and why a Muslim mighn’t have a reason to blow up fellow Muslims but someone else might have.

This is from the Nanded Blast Case:

The FIR recorded the injured activists’ claim that stored firecrackers had gone off inadvertently. But the investigation nailed this lie, revealing that bombs being assembled by the Bajrang Dal activists had exploded accidentally before they could be used to damage mosques. Moreover, the entire operation was being styled in a camouflage so as to resemble a Muslim terror operation. Soon, the police arrested 16 persons. The remand application said the accused had diagrams, maps and material related to the manufacture/storage of bombs. It said they had also identified terror targets across the country.

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‘We will be treated like hijras if we don’t take action. Counter-attacks are the only way of avenging terror attacks’

HIMANSHU PANSE(Blast Accused) Source

This was all, there was no more investigation and the charges were watered down. Read more(highly recommended).

• The Nanded accused were also responsible for blasts at the Mohammadiya Masjid in Parbhani (November 2003), the Quadriya Masjid in Jalna (August 2004) and the Meraj-ul-Uloom Madrassa/Masjid in Purna in Parbhani district (August 2004).
• The target of the bombs which killed the Bajrang Dal activists was actually a mosque in Aurangabad. Both H. Panse and M. Wagh had conducted a recce of the Aurangabad mosque in May 2004.
• Panse and Pande had started a gymnasium to attract Hindu youth and organised seminars. They also gave speeches to create an anti-Muslim atmosphere, alleging acts of injustice by Muslims against Hindus, inciting the latter to do “something for Hinduism.” They were also trained in bomb-making near Pune, Goa and at the Bhosla Military School at Nagpur. An RSS camp at the school trained 115 participants in karate, obstacle courses, and shooting. The trainers included two ex-servicemen and an ex-IB operative.
• Police discovered a false beard, moustache and shervani during a search of the house of H.V.Panse; a cellphone intercept revealed that Wagh was to visit Aurangabad on April 5, 2006.

The CBI chargesheet, which Teesta Setalvad procured on an RTI application, reveals that the agency simply diluted the ATS’s charges of criminal conspiracy involving terrorist acts. If the ATS investigation concluded that the accidental explosion in Nanded was only one episode in a terrorist plot involving the Bajrang Dal, supported by a network of the Sangh parivar, the CBI chargesheet treated the Nanded incident as an isolated case so that the trial does not even examine the possible existence of a terrorist network in Maharashtra. It also delinked the case from the Bajrang Dal or any other Sangh outfit.

In police raids on Bhupinder Singh’s Lajpat Nagar studio and his residence, the police found a diary and a hand-drawn map of Muslim-dominated Ferozabad. The police is also exploring the possibility that the grenades and other explosives were intended for use during the month of Ramzan, as the map has markings of at least five spots, which could be of possible targets.

The bomb, hidden in a motorcycle parked near a mosque, exploded three days before Eid, killing a 15-year-old boy and leaving several injured.

3. Left Wing Terrorism

4.Communal Riots

Hindu communal organisations have always maintained that it is always the Muslims who start riots, forcing “justifiable retaliatory acts by Hindus in self-defence”. But virtually every single officially appointed judicial commission to probe into the cause of riots in different parts of the country has found the RSS and other majoritarian communal outfits guilty. We reproduce some excerpts below:More

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Special Thanks to Chaitanya!

Sources:

1.South Asia Terrorism Portal

2.Outlook India

3.Communalism Combat

4.Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies -

5.Source of all riot statistics

6.Good ol’ Wiki

7.Economic Times

8.Tehelka