People's Democracy

Peace March In Mau

Subhashini Ali Sahgal

FOR more than a month now Mau, the center of handloom weaving in Eastern UP has been under curfew – now relaxed during the day – because of the terrible communal rioting that engulfed the town on the October 14, 15 and 16. Since then, Diwali and Id have passed in an uneasy atmosphere of mutual suspicion and fear. Rumours of the most vicious kind have been circulating, most of them emanating from the statements of various Hinducommunal organisations and individuals. It must be mentioned, however, that some Muslims have also been involved in giving credence to one-sided analysis. What is most unfortunate is that while the new administration has been making a big effort to restore normalcy, BJP leaders like Kesri Nath Tripathi (former speaker of the assembly) and Kalyan Singh, MP (former chief minister) who visited Mau have made the most atrocious speeches there calling upon Hindus to arm themselves. Other leaders of their party have been holding press conferences on the same theme in different parts of the state. The Gorakhpur MP, Adityanath, also held a press conference in Lucknow in which he made wild allegations that ‘hundreds of Hindus had been massacred and dozens of Hindu girls had been abducted’. Of course, he gave nothing to substantiate either claim.

In the midst of this cacophony, the local unit of the CPI(M) organised a Peace March on November 19, in which large numbers of women belonging to Mahila Samakhya and Janvadi Mahila Samiti, students and youth belonging to DYFI, SFI , political and cultural activists marched through the main areas of the town carrying banners and placards and shouting slogans for peace, unity and opposition to communal elements and their activities. This writer also participated in the procession which started from LIC Chauraha and then marched for more than 4 kilometers and culminated in the Mirza Hadipur mohalla. Thousands of people all along the route came out of their shops and homes and onto their balconies to welcome the procession. The president of the Udyog Vyapar mandal, Shri Rai, came up and congratulated the marchers publicly. Everyone seemed relieved to hear slogans for peace and harmony in the very streets that had echoed to the slogans of religious hatred and which had witnessed the worst kind of arson, loot and violence.

In the Mirza Hadipur Mohalla, the local people organised a mike and invited the leaders of the march to speak. Thousands of people heard Veerendra, CPI(M) secretary, Jaiprakash, president of UP PWA and Subhashini Ali.

It is absolutely essential that all democratic and secular organisations and individuals continue the effort to restore communal peace in the area and also work to isolate those like the Gorakhpur MP and the Sangh Parivar who are determined to make political capital by spreading the most false and vicious lies and rumours. Members of the minority community also need to be very much on their guard against some of their own misguided leaders.