NEW DELHI: Women belonging to the minority community were the prime targets of sexual harassment during the postDecember6 riots. There was nothing “spontaneous” about the riots and in most areas they were motivated attacks on Muslims.
These are some of the findings of a joint delegation of four national women’s organizations which visited some of the worst riot affected areas in Bhopal, Ahmedabad and Surat last month, The delegation comprised Sushila Gopalan and Brinda Karat from the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Vina Mazumdar from the Center for Women’s Development Studies, (CWDS), Pramila Loomba from the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and Husna Subhani from Mahila Dakshata Samiti.
Releasing their report on March 3, members of the delegation said although the feeling of insecurity and fear was common among both Hindu and Muslim women, there was a difference in the nature of attacks on them.
Instances of Hindu women being physically assaulted in residential areas were rare. Most of these victims were cither stabbed or killed in bomb blasts. However, most of the women who were sexually assaulted were from the minority community, the report contended.
“In Bhopal, women in two areas of the old city told us that mobs shouting “Bajrang Bali Ki Jai’ ‘Many of them in ‘police uniform physically assaulted them and even taped two of them when they refused to hand over their men folk to the mob,” members of the delegation alleged.
The members maintained the primary purpose of the visit to these riot hit areas was to understand the women’s perception of the communal violence and its impact on their lives. They spoke to about 500 riot hit women of both communities to assess the efficacy of official measures for their relief and rehabilitation.
Enumerating the reactions of women in these areas following the communal frenzy, the report noted there was ample ¢evidence of solidarity and harmony between members of the two communities. In many cases, they showed great courage in saving each other’s lives when attacked by rioting mobs. The team also did not find any evidence of direct participation of women in violence.
Referring w the relief and rehabilitation work undertaken by the Government, the members of the delegation alleged the officials were apathetic to the needs of the women.
Although the Government had announced a compensation of Rs 2.2 lakh to widows, the payments have been given to: only those whose husband’s bodies have been identified. “Women whose husband’s or son’s bodies burned beyond recognition have not received any compensation as there indirect proof of their husbands and sons being killed,” the members said. They also emphasized the need for special care of traumatized children who witnessed the acts of violence.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 12, 1993
