2. Communal tensions in bazaar

CHAPTER 2

Communal tensions in bazaar

Srilaxmi and Srilekha were shopping at 10 am with children in the bazaar. It was a big shop called RUPA garments in Jamshedpur. The seller had put clothes in front of the ladies and they were selecting. Ram was standing near them but Laxman had wandered to the door and was looking at the dolls kept inside the glass window.

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At that time, in a Madrasa school, Muslims have gathered for a meeting. They all looked very serious. A Muslim boy had brought a Hindu girl he loved to his house without informing her parents. Muslims were worried but the boy was not ready return the girl since she too loved him. They even got married secretly.

Maula said, “When your son carried away that Hindu girl, I knew that there will be big problem.”

The boy’s father said, “But he did not bring her by force. She loves him and has accepted the fact that he is a Muslim.”

Maula said with worry, “Islam law accepts anyone who is in love but the Hindus don’t understand this.”

One man said, “What can we do to control the situation? A small fire becomes big and afterwards we will be blamed for everything. On one side the police will attack us and from the other side, the majority group. I think it is better for us to give back the girl.”

Ibrahim said seriously, “Ishah Allah! We have ruled the nation for thousand years. If we get scared we will not be able to survive. Let us see what happens. I am determined to go die only after killing at least 10 people.”

Suddenly one man came running. “Maula, somebody has killed a pig in front of our Masjid.”

All were shocked and become ferocious.

Ibrahim got up. “If they put a pig in front of our Masjid, we will not keep quiet. I will kill Hindus right in the bazaar. Come.”

He went out.

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Meanwhile, business was going on briskly everywhere in the bazaar. In Rupa garments, Srilaxmi and Srilekha were still selecting clothes. Ram was still standing near them. But Laxman had gone out of the shop without anyone noticing him. He was standing outside the 3^rd shop from Rupa garments. He was admiring the display of dolls outside the toy shop.

Suddenly there was a shout. “Allah oh Akbar!”

Shops started closing. Owner of Rupa garments came out and saw the Muslims arrive with swords.

Owner got scared.  He shouted to his men, “Close the shutter.”

The workers immediately closed the shutters. People inside the shop started holding their children.

Srilekha was shocked. “Why are you pulling down the shutter?”

Owner put his hand on his mouth. “Last week one Muslim boy ran away with a Hindu girl and got married. We knew that there will be a fight soon. The Muslims have come with swords.”

Srilekha was shocked. Srilaxmi caught hold of Ram. She looked around for Laxman. She did not see him and was scared. The shop was a big one and there were many customers. She thought that the boy must be somewhere inside. She went around the crowd looking for Laxman. But he was no where to be seen.

Then she approached Srilekha. “I can’t see Laxman anywhere. Maybe he has gone outside.”

Meanwhile men were hitting the shutters of the shop from outside. “Allah oh Akbar! Kill them all. Open the shutter.”

Srilaxmi was worried, “My son is outside. Please open the shutter. I want to go out.”

Srilekha said, “No. If they open the shutter, none of us will survive.”

Men were still hitting the door from outside. Srilekha started hitting from inside crying. 5 to 6 murders had already taken place outside. Laxman was standing outside watching the commotion. Ibrahim went to hit the boy. He was stopped by another Muslim. “Don’t hit him. He is just a small child. Leave him.”

Ibrahim said angrily, “I don’t care. He is a Hindu. I want to kill all Hindus.”

He pulled the child. Saleem stopped him. “No leave him.”

He pulled the boy away from Ibrahim.

Suddenly a police van arrived. Inspector got down. Muslims started throwing stones.

Inspector ordered, “Fire.”

The police fired rubber bullets. The Muslims ran away. Saleem had the child in his arms. He looked around to see the child’s parents. But no one was there. Suddenly the police caught him.

Inspector said, “Eh! Put him in the van.”

Saleem pleaded, “Sir, I am taking my son to the hospital. He is sick.”

Inspector looked at the 2 year old boy in Saleem’s arms. “Ok go. If I see you again, I will arrest you.”

Saleem went away with the child in his arms.