PUCL condemns communal violence in Nagpur, seeks impartial inquiry

PUCL Maharashtra condemns communal violence in Nagpur, demands justice, impartial inquiry, and compensation for victims' families.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Maharashtra has strongly condemned the communal violence that took place in Nagpur on March 17, and the developments that followed. 

In a press statement, the PUCL said the violence was preceded by communal tensions created across the State with hate speeches and calls to violence by political leaders, Ministers and extremist groups, including the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), over the issue of the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad.  

“PUCL Maharashtra condemns the communal and inciteful statements made by various Hindu extremist forces and seeks an independent and impartial inquiry into the circumstances that led to the communal violence and death of Irfan Ansari, and the flaring of communal tensions and feeling of enmity between communities,” Shiraz Prabhu, president, PUCL, said.  

The violence claimed the life of 38-year-old Ansari, reportedly found on the roadside by the police, the statement added. He succumbed to grievous injuries in a hospital on March 22. His family has demanded justice, and action against the people who reportedly attacked him, Mr. Prabhu said. 

“We express serious concern over the selective police crackdown on Muslims and the spate of arrests that have taken place in the aftermath of the violence which broke out in Nagpur city. Fahim Shamim Khan, leader of the Minority Democratic Party, booked for sedition and named by the police as a mastermind of the riots, is among the over 100 people arrested, mostly Muslims. Local Muslims of the area have accused the police of arbitrary arrests, and bias against the community,” he added.  

The PUCL demanded the Maharashtra government pay compensation to Ansari’s family. All those responsible for instigating riots and participating in violence must be tried and punished according to the law of the land. Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done, the PUCL’s statement read. 

“Selective and targeted actions in violation of the rule of law must not be undertaken. All illegal detentions and arbitrary arrests along with combing operations across the city meant to terrorise minorities must be stopped,” Sandhya Gokhale, general secretary, PUCL said.