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New dimension to communal tension in Bhilwara

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: A new aspect of alleged threats and intimidation has been added to the growing communal tension in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, with the authors of a report - exposing the role of Sangh Parivar in the recent anti-Muslim violence in collusion with the local police officials - being singled out and hounded with the intention to "muzzle criticism".

The booklet, "Fasivad Ki Aahatein" (Footsteps of Fascism), was published early this month to record the findings of a four-member team of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) that carried out an investigation following the violence in Mandal.

The report has blamed the Bajrang Dal leaders for replicating the Gujarat model to target the Muslim community in the town.

The chief writer of the booklet and a Dalit activist, Bhanwar Meghwanshi, alleged at a Press conference here on Tuesday that while the Bajrang Dal activists had launched a campaign to terrorise him and enforced a social boycott against him, police had also started harassing him and his family members, although no legal case had been made out against him.

"The in-charge of Mandal police station, Bhajju Ram, and the officials under him visited my office in Bhilwara twice on May 4 and 6 and my residence in Sirdias village on May 9 to make enquiries without spelling out the charges against me," Mr. Meghwanshi said. He said the complicity of the State machinery in the attempt to muzzle criticism amounted to an undeclared ban on the booklet.

The copies of the booklet have since been sent to the Inspector General of Police (Intelligence), Omendra Bharadwaj, for a "detailed screening" to find out if it contains the material detrimental to communal harmony. The content providers to the report include Tara Ahluwalia, Prahlad Rai Vyas, Raju Jangid and Abdul Hamid.

The booklet has made a special mention of the Home Minister, Gulab Chand Kataria, while pointing out that he played a dubious role during the violence by taking sides and encouraged the rioters.

In one instance, Mr. Kataria allegedly threatened Muslims by stating: "Even if you don't want it, the Bewan (post-Holi procession) will be taken out in Mandal". Trouble started in Mandal following a rumour that Muslims had hurled stones on the procession.

Provoking people

Mr. Meghwanshi said the Sangh Parivar activists were roaming in Mandal and nearby villages and provoking the people to boycott him by cutting off social relations with him, refuse to supply goods to him and not allow him inside the houses. "The block secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, Gopal Lal Kumhar, asked me how much money I had received from Muslims for writing the report," he said.

The Dalit activist - who also edits a monthly journal, "Diamond India" - said he would register a complaint with the police against the Bajrang Dal activists intimidating him.

He said even the printer had been warned against publishing the magazine in future, while the Bajrang Dal members had met the Superintendent of Police to demand his arrest.

Mr. Meghwanshi said the Sangh Parivar activists belonging to so-called higher castes were annoyed over Dalits refusing to participate in their hate campaign and the violence in Bhilwara district. Moreover, Dalit officials, activists and lawyers, who took action and extended support to control violence were especially targeted during the past one month.

The civil rights organisations of the State are planning to hold "Nagrik Samvaad" (citizens' dialogue) in all major towns in Bhilwara district between May 20 and 27 as part of their campaign against communalism. Mr. Meghwanshi said the National Human Rights Commission should also send its team to the district to probe into the activities of Sangh Parivar and give directions to the State Government to control them.

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