THE communal riots that rocked Moradabad between May 8 and 10 and left several people dead or injured, have proved to be a major blow to the Kalyan Singh-led coalition Government in Uttar Pradesh. A grim reminder of the escalating social tensions, the incidents constituted the first case of large-scale communal riots in the State in five years. Despite the bickerings within the Bharatiya Janata Party and between the BJP and its coalition partners, the Government managed to bring the situation under control within 72 hours. However, State intelligence agencies have cautioned that tensions run deep and that the semblance of peace could vanish any time.
According to intelligence reports, Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist organisations - the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and the Jamaat-e-Islami - did not respond in a positive manner to the Government's decision to allow Azadari and Tazia processions of the Shia community during Moharam. The Government apparently permitted the processions in order to dispel the anti-Muslim image of the BJP. However, the reports indicated that many supporters of the party and also some of its political opponents wanted to sabotage the processions. According to the agencies, installation of a BJP-led Government at the Centre has been cited as a reason for the Hindu fundamentalists adopting this position.
On May 8, when a Tazia procession reached Reti Street in the town, unknown assailants lobbed acid-filled bottles at the participants. Initially, the hand of a section of Muslims as well as Hindu fundamentalists was suspected. However, by late evening, the rioters were clearly divided on communal lines.
The clashes led to arson and looting which left a large number of shops and houses destroyed. Shots were fired and country bombs hurled on the three days. Curfew was imposed in the Kotwali, Sambhali gate, Mandi, Gulshaheed, Mughalpura and Nagfani areas. Those arrested for rioting and violating the curfew included activists of all major political parties, including the BJP, the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress(I).
Official figures put the number of people who died at four. However, unofficial reports suggest that the figure may be higher. Stray bomb blasts were also reported after the group clashes were quelled.
Moradabad, renowned for its brass industry, has reportedly suffered substantial financial loss. Sanjeev Agarwal, a leading exporter of brass items told Frontline that the social tension was bound to have a long-term effect on the trade.
Leaders of all political parties did their bit to bring the situation under control although a section of the BJP tried to politicise the issue by describing it as a result of a conspiracy against the Kalyan Singh Government. The arrest of a Congress(I) delegation led by a former Member of Parliament, Begum Noorbano, led to some tension. Despite the positive role played by politicians, the warning given by the intelligence agencies about a possible eruption of further trouble has caused concern within the administration, particularly on account of the political ramifications of the tension.
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