In the searing atmosphere in Karauli in Rajasthan, Saturday night on April 2nd shook the city of Karauli while Muslims fled for their lives.
A Courageous Hindu Lady Smt. Madhulika Singh Rescued Fifteen Muslims
It all started in Karauli during Nav Samvatsar, the Hindu New Year and one would have expected a bright season of celebrations for an auspicious New Year, but the communal clashes seemed to have trashed it. Things turned torrid when stone-pelting started, with pelters hitting the motorcycle rally consisting of over 100 bikes, passing through a Muslim-dominated area. Reportedly, the Muslim locals in the area voiced that the Hindutva bikers were chanting incendiary slogans which charged them up to start throwing stones.
A battle erupted in the area and arson ensued leaving 35 people injured, and houses and shops of Muslims in the vicinity were set on fire, including vehicles. During the horror of the event, Muslims were fleeing all over, and Smt. Madhulika Singh watching the frightening “war zone” took a brave step felt a chill of horror and knew if she did not do anything, the Muslims could be killed. She took a deep breath and in a great act of courage opened her doors allowing fifteen Muslims to take refuge in her home from the frenzied mob.
In times of riots and massacres, usually, everyone keeps their doors closed because rioters can break open doors and just about kill everyone they see in a home, so it was a very brave step Smt. Madhulika Singh took that night.
She later said on speaking to others, “My conscience didn’t allow me to allow these innocent Muslims to get beaten up or killed.”
Smt. Madhulika Singh comes from Rajput, a Hindu community and with the courage of a warrior, she probably saved fifteen lives that night. It showers rays of hope in India, that good people with consciences are pouring out their light in a dark time in India.
Karauli Trying to Build Communal Harmony
There are attempts to build a bridge of trust between Hindus and Muslims. In Jaipur’s old city area, flower petals were showered on the Shobha Yatra by members of the Muslim community as a Hindu procession was carried on. The Yatra, which went through parts of Ramganj Subhash chowk, Manak chowk in the old city of Jaipur, was welcomed with open arms by members of the Muslim and Hindu communities who lined up on both sides of the street to welcome the procession.
Rajasthan turned into a symbol of religious harmony in different parts. People from the Muslim community not only welcomed the Shobha Yatra organized on Ram Navami but also made special arrangements for it.
BJP Accuses Congress
Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena Saturday said there was an “exodus” of Hindus from Karauli in Rajasthan following the violence on April 2 — a claim police have rejected as “totally incorrect”.
Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi said: “Nothing like what he has claimed has happened. A person may have left to earn their livelihood, but no one has left Karauli due to communal reasons.”
He added: “No one pays heed to Meena in the BJP. He has become irrelevant. Hence he hopes to re-establish himself by trying to gain political mileage and thus keeps bringing new ‘facts’ every other day.”