Gujarat's Muslim traders complain of "harassment" before National Commission for Minorities: Reports

Modi's 2011 sadbhavna campaign

By Our Representative
Gujarat may be claiming to have ushered in a new era of communal harmony, pushing the 2002 communal riots to the backdrop. But reports from Gujarat suggest Muslims traders are angry over alleged efforts to close down their business in different parts of the state. This is happening not just around the Jain religious shrine of Palitana in Saurashtra, where meat and egg shops are banned, but elsewhere in the state as well. Palitana, it may be recalled, is situated just about 60 kilometres from Bhavnagar town, where Vishwa Hindu Parishan leader Pravin Togadia offered advice to Hindus on how to prevent Muslims from buying property in areas where they are in the majority.
Commenting on the development, a minority-controlled website, kohram.in, said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brain child Vibarant Gujarat will be held in the State this time under the leadership of the chief minister, Anandiben Patel, and this time western diplomats and investors are making a beeline to seek favours from Gujarat. But all this is happening ahead of Muslims are not being allowed to do meat business and egg business around Palitana.
The comment further said, “There is a very famous temple. Jains come from all over the country and even from aboard. In the temple vicinity, meat and eggs are not allowed. But in the rest of the town why Muslims are not allowed to do the business of meat?”, It added, even in Ahmedabad city, “all slaughter houses and meat shops were forced to close on account of Jain festival for about a week.”
Meanwhile, reports said, 10 Gujarati Muslim traders have alleged that they were being forced to close down businesses over the past one month. “The latest complaint was been filed on Thursday by hotelier Mustafa Patel, who claims to have shut down his Jyoti Hotel on Viramgam highway, 90 minute drive from Ahmedabad, after receiving threats”, they added. The complaint by Patel said that “despite court orders the police has refused to provide him protection”.
Already, according to reports, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has received several complaints from Gujarat on this. NCM chairman “Wajahat Habibullah sought reports from the Gujarat Government”.
They added, “Earlier the NCM received complaints from nine traders of Chhotaudepur in South Gujarat, alleging their businesses have been ruined. According to the complaint, that sarpanch of village Baroj, Jayanti Rathwa, engineered a riot in the area to take away the luxury transport bus business from his competitor Irfan Abdul Ghani. The region witnessed communal clashes following a minor altercation.”
“Those who have been forced to close down their business are Kasim Ahmed (scrap dealer), Ahmed Arif (minerals), Farooqbhai (power production unit), Yakub Mohammad (mineral production), Saifudin Ali (power production), Ahmed Khoka (power), Shabir Bhai (mineral production), Majid Khan (power) and Harun Abdul Malajher (mines)”, the reports point out.
The reports, however, quote Gujarat government spokesperson and senior minister Nitin Patel refuting the claims. “There are thousands of minority traders and merchants prospering in Gujarat. Hundreds are doing their business in the walled city areas of Ahmedabad”, the minister said.

Comments

Unknown said…

the author can go and protest there supporting the cause of the mullas ! Jainism has the best food habits and everyone should follow jainism w.r.t their food intake....Let them be

September 06, 2014

Clive Lloyd legacy reminds us of the golden era that reshaped cricket

By Harsh Thakor* As August 31 marked the 80th birthday of cricketing icon Clive Lloyd, it also heralds the impending 50th anniversary of his ascension to the captaincy of the West Indies team. Under his leadership, a collection of extraordinary talents coalesced to create one of the most formidable teams in cricket history. The roots of West Indian cricket dominance trace back to a colonial past.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Impact of water anxiety, stress and trauma on women: World Water Week 2024 talkshow

By Mansee Bal Bhargava, Durga Das, Garbhit Naik, Sromona Burman* A newly formed no bet-for-profit organization, WODER , dedicated and motivated to work towards water security for all for all the time, was at the World Water Week (WWW) 2024 organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) from August 25 to 29th. The WWW2024 theme was, ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’ and centered around water cooperation for peace and security. The event underscored the collaborative effort needed to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future.

Damaging signal sent to various levels of judiciary? Modi at religious function at CJI's residence

Counterview Desk The civil rights group, National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), has expressed its "grave concern" over the Prime Minister’s recent presence at a religious event at the Chief Justice of India's residence, underlining, "Independence of Judiciary from Executive must be ensured in all circumstances".

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Unwavering source of ideological inspiration in politics, life: Personal tribute to Yechury

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak Sitaram Yechury was everyone's comrade. He lived his life in public like an open book of praxis. Everyone was familiar with his family background, student life, many talents, achievements, and political journey that defines his everyday life as a committed communist.

Trailblazer in literary innovation, critic of Indian mythology, including Ramayana

By Harsh Thakor* Ranganayakamma, commonly known as RN, stands out as a transformative figure in promoting Marxist thought, democratic ideals, and anti-caste principles through her remarkably clear and engaging writing style. A trailblazer in literary innovation, her works span a broad array of topics, from critiques of Indian mythology and revivalism to discussions on civil liberties, the Indian Communist Movement, and Maoism in China.

'Void in Leftist landscape': Loss of Sitaram Yechury who had helped form INDIA bloc

By Vikas Meshram* The passing of Sitaram Yechury has cast a profound stillness over leftist organizations across India. Renowned as a distinguished politician, columnist, economist, and social activist, Yechury was a staunch advocate for student rights and movements. His leadership skills became apparent early in his academic career, as he was elected three times as the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Yechury also endured imprisonment during the Emergency period, underscoring his commitment to political activism.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Search This Blog