Women organise sit-ins at the Collectorate and SSP Office; Samajwadi Party leaders intervene amidst police action
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The communal violence that erupted in Gausganj village of Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi District on 19 July 2024 has left several Muslim families displaced and struggling for justice. On Tuesday, a large group of Muslim women staged protests outside the Collectorate and SSP office, demanding a safe return to their homes after their families were forcefully evicted and homes bulldozed following the clash.
The dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities in Gausganj led to a police crackdown, resulting in the arrest of 70-75 Muslim men. Women and children claim they were forced out of their homes and have since been denied re-entry.
“We just want to go back to our homes. Our children are suffering, and we have nowhere to go. The police are not allowing us to enter our village,” said a distressed woman. Another protester added, “We have submitted written applications to the SSP multiple times, but no action has been taken. We are helpless.”
The police claim their actions were necessary to maintain law and order, yet critics argue that only Muslims have faced the consequences. “The law should be the same for everyone, but only Muslims are being punished,” said a displaced resident.
Last year’s 19 clashes resulted in the death of Tejpal, son of former village head Hiralal, and injuries to over a dozen people. The administration responded with mass arrests and demolition drives targeting Muslim homes. While a case was registered against 50 named and 15 unidentified individuals, families allege that they were not given a fair chance to defend themselves before their homes were destroyed.
On Wednesday, Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders intervened, demanding justice and immediate resettlement of displaced Muslim families. SP District President Shivcharan Kashyap, Treasurer Ashok Kumar Yadav, SP Mahila Sabha District President Smita Yadav, and District General Secretary Dr Diksha Saxena led a delegation to Gausganj with about 33 displaced families.
“These families have been wandering without shelter for days. It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure their safe return and provide them with protection,” said Kashyap.
Tensions escalated when a police officer allegedly confiscated the mobile phone of a protesting Muslim woman, leading to a confrontation between SP leaders and the police. “This is unacceptable. These women are already traumatised, and such actions only add to their suffering,” argued Dr Diksha Saxena. Following pressure from political leaders, the police returned the phone after checking it.
City Magistrate Rajiv Shukla and Circle Officer Pankaj Srivastava arrived at the scene and assured SP leaders that necessary steps would be taken. “We are working to ensure peace and justice for all. The families will be resettled under police protection,” said Shukla.
Despite these assurances, scepticism remains. “We have heard promises before, but nothing has changed. We want concrete action, not just words,” said one displaced woman.
Several activists and community leaders are calling for an impartial investigation. “This is not just a law and order issue; it is a humanitarian crisis. Families should not be made to suffer without a fair trial,” said a social activist working in the region.
According to reports, about 50 people remain in jail in connection with the violence, while six families have been resettled under police protection. However, many others remain homeless and in distress.
As the SP leaders and administration continue to mediate, the displaced families of Gausganj wait for a resolution that will allow them to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. For now, the village remains a symbol of the deep divisions and unresolved tensions that continue to plague communal relations in the region.
